2005 eCommerce Awards

Who wins? They decide

Following the announcement of the 21 regional finalists for the 2005 eCommerce Awards, the group of judges who will determine the fate of these companies on awards night will soon knuckle down to reach their decisions.

The finalists were chosen from nearly 90 entries received from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the East Midlands. Six different categories were offered to entrants: Best Customer Care Online; Best Sales and Marketing Online; Best Integrated Business; Best Use of Broadband; Best Use of Teleworking and Best Use of Mobile and Wireless Technologies.

Award sponsors emda and BT will be represented on the judging panel by board member Bryan Carr and East Midlands’ regional director, Mick McLoughlin, respectively.

The judging panel also includes David Summer-Smith representing InterForum and, who was until recently, the programme editor of the Sunday Times Enterprise Network. Joining him will be Brian Stagg representing the Business Link ICT Network and Chris Miles, managing director of C3 Professional Services and member of Business Champion’s ICT forum – a sounding board for the East Midlands Development Agency’s (emda) IT agenda.

Bryan Carr, said: “It’s an honour for me to be involved in the judging of this year’s eCommerce Awards. Made up of some of the best technology and business brains in this region, the judging panel has the privilege of seeing how our entrepreneurs are grasping hold of technology and using it to benefit their business.

“At emda one of our key priorities for reaching our goal of becoming a top 20 European region by 2010 is to double the number of businesses trading online in the East Midlands to 20%. The finalists for these Awards are setting the benchmark for others to follow.”

To decide who wins on the night and takes home the £2,000 category prize money, the judges will be looking for entrants who have achieved considerable success from the use of their online business, from good planning and operation, and by setting realistic expectations.

Entrants must prove themselves to be exemplary in their use of trading tools and will have to show judges what they have learnt from their experience, the benefits of using the web for their business and their individuality and creativity.

Mick McLoughlin commented, "These awards are an excellent opportunity for local businesses in the East Midlands to showcase how they are exploiting the benefits of broadband and information and communication technology to improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

“The adoption and usage of broadband services and e-commerce is crucial to the growth and success of our business community – it’s therefore vital that we celebrate those SMEs already embracing new technologies and adapting their business processes to meet the changing demands of an increasingly global and connected world.”

Run by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Interforum, and sponsored by BT and emda, the Awards were open to any UK business employing up to 250 employees who have used Internet and Information Communications Technology (ICT) to improve their business.

The Awards build on the recent findings of the East Midlands Small Business eAdoption Survey, commissioned by emda, and are just one of the ways in which the regional development agency and its partners are trying to encourage more SMEs to realise the benefits of ebusiness.

The winners of the Regional Awards will be announced by BBC East Midlands Today newsreader, Dominic Heale, at a dinner being held on Wednesday 21st September at Colwick Hall in Nottinghamshire. Category winners will receive a £2,000 cash prize, courtesy of emda, and the chance to win £50,000 in the National eCommerce Awards Final in October.