Time is running out for award entries

THE region's growing businesses are encouraged to enter the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards before time runs out.

Now in their fifth year, the awards celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Yorkshire's business community.

They have grown to become one of the most eagerly-awaited events in the corporate calendar, and reflect the incredible range of business talent in our county.

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PricewaterhouseCoopers is sponsoring the category which highlights companies with a turnover between 10m and 50m. This is a category which highlights successful growing companies.

Arif Ahmad, head of private business for PwC in Yorkshire, said the businesses that stand out from the crowd in economic downturns are those who have revamped their business model.

He added: "We are looking for companies who have a track record of growth and are showing excellence in some form.

"It might be some kind of innovation or new products and services they have launched over the last couple of years."

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There are fewer growing companies in the current climate, which makes those shortlisted for this award even more exceptional.

Mr Ahmad said: "There is very little classic growth through acquisition or organic growth and funding through finance is difficult to come by.

"Cash flow is a problem and directors have had to make difficult decisions. Sometimes it comes down to a choice between spending 15,000 on growing sales or keeping someone in a job over the next year."

He added: "A lot of companies have spent a lot more time getting close to their suppliers and customers recently. In these times, getting really close to understanding what the customer values and delivering that is very important."

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Chancellor George Osborne is this year's keynote speaker and the master of ceremonies is impressionist Jon Culshaw who returns to the ceremony in Leeds in October for a second year.

The 2010 awards are open to all companies, from start-ups and university spin-outs to large private companies and PLCs from across the region

This year's judging panel includes Sir Ken Morrison, Paul Fullerton, the Bank of England's agent for Yorkshire and Humber, Yorkshire Post Editor Peter Charlton and Business Editor Bernard Ginns.

The deadline for entries is midnight tonight.

To enter, visit www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/excellence.

If you would like to discuss an extension, please call 0113 2388959.

Midnight deadline for contenders

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Yorkshire's brightest companies have until midnight tonight to submit their entries for the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards.

Judges will be looking for signs of outstanding enterprise and innovation.

Categories include: Young Business of the Year, sponsored by Yorkshire Forward; Companies with a turnover under 10m, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank; Companies with a turnover between 10m and 50m, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers; Companies with a turnover of more than 50m, sponsored by DLA Piper; Young Entrepreneur, sponsored by O2; Best Company to Work For, sponsored by the Bradford University School of Management; SME Manufacturer of the Year category, sponsored by the Manufacturing Advisory Service; Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Drax; and Exporter of the Year, sponsored by thebigwordGroup.