Developing your customer base is essential for growing a sustainable business and this award seeks to recognise progress in this field. This could include operating in the domestic or international markets, overcoming geographical difficulties, serving or working from a remote area e.g. mail order.

What the judges are looking for:

A planned approach to marketing bringing together product, packaging, pricing, distribution, promotion and customer service into a campaign that delivered demonstrable success and significantly contributed to the development of the business in 2010/2011.   The product, service or business development process will also be assessed for market research, contribution towards overall business growth, staff training, ongoing potential and overall identity.

Documentation required:

• Describe your business and how your marketing activity has contributed to success (one side of A4 maximum).
• Evidence of sales and marketing strategy (e.g. marketing/business plan, promotional materials and activities etc). Evidence of market success and positive impact to the local economy (e.g. sales figures, orders, effect on profitability etc). 3 pages of A4 maximum.
• A maximum of 4 pages of A4 may be submitted as supporting documentation.