RULES
1. All entries must be from businesses working within the Metropolitan boundaries of Bolton and Bury.
2. Nominations will only be accepted on the official entry form.
3. The information provided on the entry form must be accurate. The panel of judges may request further supporting information, if required. In the event of any evidence arising which contradicts earlier claims, the judges reserve the right to withdraw the award at a later date.
4. Information supplied on or with the entry form may be used in The Bolton News and Bury Times and associated publications. However, any information clearly marked as confidential will be treated in the strictest possible confidence and will not be used in any publicity.
5. Original entry forms will be kept by the organisers. Photocopies will be circulated to members of the judging panel.
6. The decision of the organisers, sponsors, or any of the judges, is final in respect of all matters concerning these awards, including the interpretation of these rules. The organisers have the right to reallocate an entry if they feel it has more opportunity to win in another category.
7. All entrants will be expected to co-operate with the publicity surrounding the awards scheme should their entry prove successful.
8. All entries must be received by the organisers by the closing date on 25th April, 2008.
9. Proof of posting cannot be accepted as proof of delivery for the purpose of the competition. All the entries and supporting material will be sent at the entrant's own risk.
10. All entrants must fill in the confirmation section at the end of the entry form, acknowledging that they have read and understood all the rules and regulations of the competition. Participation in the Bolton News and Bury Times Business Awards means acceptance of these rules and regulations.

CRITERIA

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.
Sponsored by:

This is the premier award in Bolton and Bury's business year. The company
must have a turnover of £3million plus a year and must be able to
demonstrate a successful track record of excellence and achievement. We are
looking for firms of any size, working in any commercial or industrial
sector. Your company's success could be measured in exceptional growth,
increased trading profit, new product/service development and new production
techniques.

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR.
Sponsored by:

The winner will be a Bolton/Bury based individual who has made a unique
business contribution in the past year. The award is at all levels from
chairman and chief executive to the shop floor. That contribution could be
success in rescuing an existing business or developing a new one from
scratch. It could be something very special he or she has brought to the
business life of Bolton and Bury, perhaps in an ambassadorial role. Equally
it could be someone who has fired the imagination of an industry or
discipline by his or her innovative and enterprising approach. Or someone
whose achievements put them head and shoulders above their rivals.

START UP BUSINESS
Sponsored by:

Launching your own business requires a whole range of skills and qualities
and this award is designed to recognise and celebrate them. If you are a
manufacturer finding suppliers, getting your goods actually made and
establishing a market are all major hurdles to be overcome. We are looking
for fledgling businesses which have successfully taken those first few
steps. You might only have been formed for a few months but you should not
have been operating as a business before January, 2007.

SME Business of the Year
(Small to Medium Enterprise)

A company or enterprise which has made an indelible impression in the
business world. It could be a firm with just two or three employees or many
more as long as it is considered small for the particular field in which it
operates and turnover of up to £3million. Innovation, expertise and
imagination are just some of the qualities that will help firms qualify for
this award. The winner might be in the service sector, retail or any kind of
business which is small now but has big ideas.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

Young people in business are the future lifeblood of Bolton and Bury's
economies. This award will recognise those young individuals who display the
desire to succeed and have the ambition to make it happen. Open to those
aged 30 and under on June 1 2007, this category seeks out the best young
entrepreneur in Bolton or Bury - the man or woman who has shown a high
degree of entrepreneurship and vision for the future. The winner will
clearly demonstrate his or her business idea and start up process, giving
evidence of a well researched business plan and forecasts for business
performance.The Young Entrepreneur will, in the opinion of the judges, have
excellent potential to succeed in the longer term with a well defined and
innovative vision for the future.

INNOVATION AND DESIGN

For companies which have developed new products or processes to stay ahead
of the competition. It doesn't matter whether your business is at the
leading edge of technology or has clearly adapted a new approach - it's your
ideas that count. The judges will be interested in how innovation and design
has worked for your companywith the development of new ideas of the use of
new technology.

CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE
Sponsored by

This category is about much more than service in the everyday,
customer-interface sense. It will examine just how customer focused your
organisation really is from top to bottom. For any company that considers
customer service excellence a way of life, not just a buzzword on a badge,
this award will tell your customers, employees and competitors that service
is central to everything you do. The winner of this award will be any
business in any sector that can demonstrate a focus on service excellence
that permeates the whole organisation, including management, processes,
feedback monitoring and of course front line customer service.

FAMILY BUSINESS
Sponsored by

Many businesses in Bolton and Bury are family-owned, stretching back for
generations. This award will recognise and celebrate the unique contribution
family businesses have made to the area's economy, history and culture. The
judging panel will looked at areas including family dynamics, length of
trading, contribution to the local economy, special
achievements, contribution to the community and the promotion of the area
outside of the region. This award will look for a family business that is
not only successful, but that is also proud of its roots in Bolton or Bury
and that works to make the region proud of it.

COMMUNITY AWARD
Sponsored by O2

To encourage and reward businesses, of any size, who make a committed and
proactive contribution to their local community. This could mean providing a
service that is vital to the community, like last year's Credit Union
winner. Perhaps it is even a milk delivery service or others who come into
daily contact with people. It could be that a company donates the time and
expertise of employees to give real, practical support to the neighbourhoods
in which they are based. Either way, we want to celebrate and recognise
excellence and commitment in this area.

SCHOOLS ENTERPRISE AWARD

Young people are the future, they are the next generation which will forge
the Bolton and Bury of the 21st century.
This category is open to schools which can show that their students have
that knowledge and skill to make them the business leaders of their
generation. It could be through an Enterprise Club or Business Club where
students have shown they can come up with an idea and turn it into a
reality.
We want to recognise the commitment that schools have shown to enterprise
education and the benefits it offers to them. Students are encouraged to
work together to solve problems, develop investigation skills and build
knowledge and understanding of how business works. Participating schools
should also be able to show how they have developed links with the local
business community