Workshops for Entrants
Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th November
Ballybane Enterprise Centre
Overview of Workshop
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Important Dates & How to enter?
General tips
Read application form
Detailed discussion of application form
Outline of Judging Criteria
Questions & Answers
SCCUL Enterprise Awards
Key Dates
1.
2.
3.
4.
Closing Date - Monday 18th November
Preliminary Interviews - Monday 25th November to
Friday 6th December
Interviews for Finalists - Monday 9th December
Awards Presentation & Business Expo - Monday 27th
January
How to Enter the Awards?
1. Complete & post application form to Ballybane
Enterprise Centre ( pdf of application form available
on www.scculawards.ie)
2. Online application form- pls note no facility to savethe form needs to be fully completed & submitted
immediately
3. Download word format of application form and email
to [email protected]
General Tips for Entrants
1.
2.
3.
Photocopy application form & complete in draft first
Read application form it its entirety
Don’t assume the judges know your business - you
have to tell your story
More Tips
4.
5.
6.
Research the definition of enterprise - it includes
imagination, initiative, entrepreneurship, innovation and
strategic business thinking
Enterprise applies to an existing business in addition to
new start ups.
Add in more pages if necessary- give additional
information in appendices
Ask yourself….
• What will make your application stand out from all the
others?
• Does your application “add up”?
• Are you giving the judges a consistent picture of your
business?
Read the Application form
• Take 5 minutes to read the application form from start
to finish
• Note any ‘perceived’ duplications in questions
• What are the judges looking for?
Application Form Section 1
Question 1.1 -
Self explanatory
Question 1.2 -
Nature of business: Give a
comprehensive description- as much
of a description that gives a total
flavour for what you do. Don’t leave
any stone unturned or anything unsaid.
Give examples of what you do.
Question 1.3 -
Self explanatory
Application Form Section 2
•
Ask your self ‘What do I want to be known for’ and choose the
category which best answers this question.
•
If unsure about a category, tick the category which you think
best represents your business and include a foot note.
•
Don’t worry about which category- the judges have the
discretion to change you to a different category if they feel it
serves/represents your business better
Application Form Section 3
In Section 3- give the current situation- tell it as it is NOW
3.1 Give a description of the sector or industry
your company operates in- be as comprehensive
as possible.
3.2 Description of the main products/ services offered:
Answer comprehensively, highlighting any specialisms/
unique products. What is your USP?
3.3 Focus on the sectors – but highlight influential clients/
big brand clients.
Application Form Section 3
3.4
3.5
Milestones- not necessarily awards. Milestones are
achievements or turning points. They are different
for every business. In the context of your business
development to date what were the turning points
or milestones.
This is where you ‘pitch’ to the adjudicators.
This is one of the hardest questions to answer.
It’s a great question!
Application Form Section 4
Focus on enterprise- this section is an opportunity for your spirit of
enterprise to shine!
4.1
4.2
Expand answer to include new customer
groups/ any adaptations in product to suit the
existing market.
Address all points if possible- they may not all be
applicable to you but you must address them.
Focus on the specific headings as they are there
for a reason.
Application Form Section 4
4.3
4.4
4.5
Tell it as it is- do you have any of these processes in placehow are you using them?
Show an awareness of risk - have you a plan for
dealing with risk? Have you a plan b? This question is looking
at your risk management
Tell your story- what have you done to stay in
business? Taken advantage of the current climate? etc
Application Form Section 5
5.1 Comprehensive description needed
5.2 Research definition of enterprise- how has this applied
to your business?
5.3 Societal impact- look at the direct and indirect.
E.G. Directly for example a social enterprise or
indirectly maybe a cleaning business using chemical
free cleaning agents
Application Form Section 5
5.4 Be realistic but ambitious- may be expressed in terms of market
share/employment figures. Turnover/export/new product
development
Application Form Section 6
• Why you?
• Needs to be convincing & persuasive but backed up by
evidence of enterprising business initiative
• Enterprise is KEY word
• Use Section 7 to back it up
Application Form Section 8
• Be aware that all financial information provided will be treated in the
greatest of confidence but will be open to scrutiny.
• It is important to demonstrate a proper financial management plan.
Application Form Section 8
• Give as much info as possible to convince the judges of the viability
of the business
• Provide details of sales, cost of sales, overheads and any projected
cap ex
• Show a true measure of your profit
Application Form Section 9
Complete & Sign the Declaration of Accuracy
Judging Criteria
• Overall Management of a Business
• Presentation e.g. Quality of the information
contained in the presentation, ability to sell the
idea/concept/initiative
• Start-Up Activities e.g. Research undertaken,
entrepreneurial spirit
Judging Criteria
• Concept and Viability e.g.
Product/service/process/methodology innovation.
• Clarity of value proposition – cost/benefit analysis
• Strategy and Planning e.g. Direction, evidence of strategy
appropriate to the relevant environment
Judging Criteria
• Marketing e.g. Knowledge of market and customers, marketing
activities, marketing planning, online marketing & social media,use
of professional networks online & offline.
• Operational e.g. Innovation, efficiency
• Social Impact e.g. employment projections, impact on environment,
impact on community
Questions & Answers
Apply online today
www.scculawards.ie
Closing date Monday 18th November
2013