Which Mansfield or Ashfield business deserves a Chad award?

Nominations are open now for the Chad Business and Community Awards ahead of this year’s celebration on December 10.

Covid-19 has ensured that nothing has been as normal in 2020 and yet still there have been businesses doing their bit for their communities.

Not only that, this year has seen the sense of community spirit and togetherness rising up like never before as we all do our bit to help others, particularly those more vulnerable than ourselves, get through tough times.

And we feel that celebrating the achievements of our community is paramount and therefore, with some adjustments to include both business and community together, we invite you to put your entries forward and join the celebration of business excellence in Mansfield and Ashfield.

The unusual nature of this year will naturally factor into the way awards are assessed.

For instance, the innovation category criteria has been amended to include ‘what were you able to do to mitigate against the effects of the pandemic?’

Also we have included a Big Thank You award, providing you the opportunity to tell us about your coronavirus community heroes.

You might be reluctant to nominate yourself because ‘you’re not good enough’.

Who says you're not and how do you know if you don’t try?

Many who have plucked up the courage to enter our awards over the past thought they weren't good enough but ended up walking away with a trophy.

Just ask Data Gaile, owner and director of Sequin Walls UK Official, Datsas Flowers and All Things Decor Ltd, who won both Independent Retailer of the Year and Business of the Year at last year’s awards.

She said: “Our business has exploded and I am eagerly waiting to find out if we have won four more awards including The GB Entrepreneur Awards, Womens Awards East Midlands and Mansfield 2020.

"Lockdown was a huge challenge for us but we remained determined to come through it better and stronger.

"We moved into a new office/showroom,we employ five staff and eight more freelancers, our Instagram followers exceed 55,000, we’ve had seven million views of our TikTok account and I’ve been invited back to prepare a sequin wall for Amanda Holden’s Britain’s Got Talent dressing room two years running.”

These are this year’s categories:

Innovation

An ability to navigate market conditions is crucial for a business to survive, so how has your business adapted to change, or utilised an innovative idea in order during the past year, and what were you able to do to mitigate against the effects of the pandemic?

Community Contribution

Businesses play a significant role in the community through charity or education and many firms have played a crucial role in supporting their community during the Covid-19 outbreak.

This award aims to recognise those local businesses who have taken the time to give something back, especially during lockdown.

Independent Retailer of the Year

The past few months have been challenging for local retailers so we would like to hear how your business has adapted to reach your target market or simply to survive during the Covid crisis.

Best Place to Eat/Drink

Open to any business that serves food and/or drink, we want to hear about your business and how you have adapted to serve your customers during the Covid crisis.

Professional Services

Open to organisations of any size, we want to hear about your business and what measures were taken or services to the community provided, in recent months.

Customer Service

Customer service is an essential part of any successful business and this award aims to reward and recognise a company, individual, or team, for their outstanding achievement in providing exceptional customer service.

Excellence in Manufacturing

This award will be presented to the company that demonstrates a modern, efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing.

We want to hear about how your business was able to survive the Covid-19 crisis.

Education

This award is to recognise the great work within the education sector during the Covid-19 outbreak, from schools to teachers, childminders, nannies and childcare settings that have gone above or beyond during lockdown.

Lifetime Achievement

The judges are looking for an individual who has had a major impact on their business and the area over a number of years.

If there is someone we should consider for this award, please provide a name and brief overview of their achievements for them to be a contender.

The Big Thank You

The coronavirus lockdown has seen a surge in charitable work with people simply looking out for each other, whether friends, family, neighbours, strangers or an organised group.

Tell us about your coronavirus community heroes.

Entries close on Friday, October 30 at 6pm.

Click here for more information and to submit an entry.