European Business Awards 2012

European Business Awards 2012

Join an elite network of European Business Leaders

The European Business Awards (EBAs) is an independent Awards programme designed to recognise and promote excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community.

Now in its 6th year, the Awards programme highlights and promotes examples of individuals and organisations that achieve outstanding results across a variety of disciplines and that set them apart as leaders in Europe. The three core values of the European Business Awards are Innovation, Ethics and Success. RSM International (RSMi) has sponsored the RSM International ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ category of the European Business Awards (EBA) from the very beginning.

Irish nominees

RSM Farrell Grant Sparks is encouraging Irish businesses and individuals to take part in the 2012 Awards. Entering the European Business Awards is free yet the benefits are substantial. The Awards offer individuals and businesses the opportunity to be associated and aligned with Europe’s leading commercial operators, and join an elite group of European businesses which has become key in networking and exploring new channels of business.

Categories available to enter

• The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award 

Entrepreneurs are visionaries who are instrumental in the success of a business. Their tireless approach to enterprise expansion places them at the crux of the business. Understanding objectives, formulating ideas and making decisions are part and parcel of the role. This award recognises those special traits that make successful entrepreneurs so inspiring. 

• The International Growth Strategy of the Year Award

International growth has enormous benefits for local and global economies. This Award will go to the organisation that best demonstrates an international organic growth strategy that has achieved outstanding levels of sales, profit and market share improvement. 

• The Award for Environmental and Corporate Responsibility 

As an evolving business approach, the Award for Environmental and Corporate Responsibility considers business operations in a social, cultural, economic and environmental context. Valuing consumer, employee and eco-friendly issues amongst their core values, these corporations operate transparently and actively nurture employee development. Winning models look beyond the legislative requirements and endeavour to improve a company’s green credentials through innovation and moral modernisation. This award celebrates businesses that have conscientiously implemented and evolved these practices. (Open to Public and Private Sector organisations) 

• The Award for Customer Focus

An important aspect of business development, customer focus ensures that services provided are useful and relevant to current and potential customers. As a core practice it drives growth through a deep understanding of customer values. This award celebrates organisations that have enhanced their prospects and profitability by putting the customer at the heart of its business. 

• The Employer of the Year Award 

Businesses can reap rewards by offering employees outstanding training programmes, progression monitoring and continuous career prospects. Employers recognised in this award category have the ability to inspire and motivate their staff by enabling career expansion, operating equal opportunity schemes and understanding the importance of a work-life balance. 

• The UKTI Award for Innovation  

Innovative individuals and organisations drive the economy. Recognising the evolving nature of business, true innovators originate forward-thinking concepts to instigate improvement. This award acknowledges the importance of innovation as a strategy to influence ongoing business development. 

• The Import/Export Award 

This award recognises organisations that can demonstrate a continuously positive trend in the export/import or re-export of goods, demonstrate the expansion of coverage in existing or new markets and, through the introduction of creative and innovative operational processes, show robustness in managing and developing international trade and maintaining and improving market position in the face of competition. 

• The Infosys Business of the Year Award (T/O €0-25m) 

This award will go to the outstanding company that best demonstrates exceptional financial returns, strong growth and innovation strategies, and market leadership in its sector. Judges will look for evidence of inventiveness, ethical credentials, good stakeholder relationships and long term planning balanced by the flexibility to deliver consistent results in dynamic market conditions. 

• The Infosys Business of the Year Award (T/O €26-150m) 

This award will go to the outstanding company that best demonstrates exceptional financial returns, strong growth and innovation strategies, and market leadership in its sector. Judges will look for evidence of inventiveness, ethical credentials, good stakeholder relationships and long term planning balanced by the flexibility to deliver consistent results in dynamic market conditions. 

• The Infosys Business of the Year Award (T/O €150m+) 

This award will go to the outstanding company that best demonstrates exceptional financial returns, strong growth and innovation strategies, and market leadership in its sector. Judges will look for evidence of inventiveness, ethical credentials, good stakeholder relationships and long term planning balanced by the flexibility to deliver consistent results in dynamic market conditions.

• The Chairman’s Selection

The Chairman’s Selection has once again been introduced to recognise the outstanding effort of National Champions who demonstrate the principles of the European Business Awards. When selecting the Ruban d’Honneur recipients the 2011 judging panel was faced with a difficult decision largely due to the exceptionally high calibre of National Champions and their achievements. As a result the Chairman of the Judges felt it necessary to introduce a category that would recognise and honour the achievements of these companies and their contribution to the wider European business community.

How Irish businesses and individuals can enter the European Business Awards

To enter the European Business Awards  or to receive entry details please contact Aidan Scollard, Partner, RSM Farrell Grant Sparks by calling +353 (0)1 418 2000 or email eba@rsmfgs.ie. We will assist in nominating you or your business and introduce you to a member of the European Business Awards team who will take you through the steps in the entry process to make it as efficient and straight forward as possible.

Previous Irish winners and finalists

Terry Clune, founder of Taxback.com, was named RSM International’s Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2010 European Business Awards in Paris. The Taxback Group was established in Dublin in 1996 to provide income tax refund services for students travelling and working abroad. The group has since grown and diversified to become a global financial and travel services provider. Last year’s Irish finalists also included companies such as Realex Payments, Aerogen and Unicarepharmacy.