Wales Innovation Award Launched

A new business award that aims to identify Wales’ most innovative companies is being launched, open to the private, public and voluntary sectors.

The Wales Innovation Award will look for evidence of how a product, practice or service has been developed over time, and how it can be distinguished from its rivals. Assessors will also be looking for examples of innovative HR practices.

STRUCTURE

The award has 3 categories, and organisations may enter as many as they choose:

-  Products - identifying innovations relating to something physical that is produced through manufacture or construction

-  Services - identifying innovations relating to work conducted, or providing improved customer service, especially in social enterprise, patient care, organisations that encourage young people to innovate, business start-up, housing and many others

-  People - identifying innovations relating to business practices in the field of human relations across all areas and sectors

JUDGING

The judging will be carried out by a team of individuals who are related to the categories, from the private, public and third sectors and individuals from academia. The assessment model used by the judges will be based on objective evidence described in the entrant's handbook.

AWARD WORKSHOPS

Entrants will have an opportunity to attend workshops between May - June 08 outlining the requirements of the award. This will provide examples of the kind of data the judges will expect to see.

Vincent Kane, chairman of the Wales Quality Centre who are organising the Award, said: “Competition is the key. If Welsh business is to prosper in the new world economy we must be more competitive. That means we must innovate more than we do. Innovate to get ahead and stay ahead.

“Everyone is talking about innovation but comparatively few organisations are actually doing it and that’s why we need the Wales Innovation Award.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The winners will be announced at the Wales Quality Award Dinner at City Hall, Cardiff on 10th November 08.

For further information please contact the Wales Quality Centre on Tel: 01656 652063 or visit: www.walesqualitycentre.org.uk

The closing date for entries is 19th September 08.