A chance to shine

Over the last 13 years these awards have grown and developed to become the highlight of the county's business calendar.

But while proud of the continuous level of achievement every year, the organisers are determined to make this year's competition even better than those that have gone before.

And that attitude is fitting because it reflects the winners in every category who have proved they are the best in the field having reached a level of excellence unsurpassed by the competition.

Winning an award is not necessarily about being the best or having the highest profile.

The competition is keen to celebrate the small firms which are the lifeblood of the Oxfordshire economy as well as those organisations which run on a not-for-profit basis or with the environment as their priority.

A newcomer could look at the list of categories this year and be given an instant impression of the breadth and diversity of companies that make up the local economy.

From tourism to innovation, building services to sustainability, there is a category to suit everone.

So why should you enter the Oxfordshire Business Awards?

The advantages are clear. The winners receive a wave of positive publicity through these pages and in our sister papers, as well as on the air through the contribution of fellow sponsor Fox FM.

Your marketing also receives a major boost as you can carry the logo and title of your award on all stationery and some have even emblazoned it on the side of their company vehicles.

Your customers and contacts will also be aware of your success and very often it can lead to an upswing in business as people want to deal with a successful organsation or individual whose winning credentials are clear.

And even those who do not win find the actual process of entering a useful exercise.

Very often business owners do not sit back and analyse their performance and how they can improve.

Entering the awards allows you to do just that. The judging process encourages you to examine the figures and take a snapshot of where you are now and how you would like to grow in the future.

Now is a good time to enter as business winds down towards the Christmas break.

Last year there were more than 300 high quality entries and the competition was fierce in many categories.

But the rewards are worth it and the entry process could not be simpler.

There are 11 categories and the 12th, the overall Oxfordshire Business of the Year, will be voted for by the judges from all the entries received.

An application form is available online at www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk along with details of all the categories. All entries need to be received by Friday March 9 2007.

The whole process is topped off by the gala dinner on Friday June 15 2007 at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford on Thames.