How to impress at the british hairdressing business awards

Putting together an entry for the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2008? Then you'll want to impress the judges. Here's what the sponsors are looking for in an entry for their categories. Download your entry form for the 2008 British Hairdressing Business Awards

Salon Team of the Year, sponsored by Racoon International

"As a leading extensions company, we provide hair extensions to thousands of hairdressers and technicians around the world and can quickly spot successful salons – they are the ones investing in teamwork. Through the Salon Team of the Year Award, we are celebrating special salons that have excelled by working as a team, where each individual is given the opportunity to develop and contribute their skills. A salon team that works well is great for the business and clients alike." Eva Proudman, managing director, Racoon International 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Salon Team of the Year - Saks Brighton

Salon Design of the Year, sponsored by Welonda

"Recognising business acumen within the hairdressing industry is vital, as being able to stand out from the crowd requires vision, passion and drive. To be acclaimed as a business leader is confirmation of all the hard work in rising to this challenge. Welonda is proud to sponsor the British Hairdressing Business Awards Salon Design category, as this award recognises and rewards the creativity and passion that goes into creating some of the best salon interiors in the world. Welonda is looking for an entry that shows a clear vision and demonstrably meets the specific business objectives of the salon." Gary Justice, general manager, Welonda from Wella Professionals 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Salon Design of the Year – Brady

Innovation of the Year/ Website of the Year, sponsored by REM

"Our industry is all about innovation, trends and fashion, which is what attracted REM to sponsoring the Innovation/Website of the Year category. British hairdressing has consistently produced world leaders with terrific influence and the key to their success is invariably, innovation. It’s what we look to do in our own business and why we admire it in other businesses. What do we look for in an entry? Original thinking that’s translated into success, and a long-term, successful business." Michael Roach, sales and marketing director, REM 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Innovation of the Year/ Website of the Year - The Chapel

Marketing Award, sponsored by Kemøn

> "Kemøn is especially pleased to sponsor the Marketing Award. As a leading Italian manufacturer of innovative, professional hair products, from in-salon colour to home haircare, Kemøn has always recognised that to be successful a business needs a clear marketing strategy. Entries for this award should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive marketing strategy that not only identifies the various elements of the strategy but also, the results that each element has achieved. Good luck." Peter Tobolski, director, Concept Professional 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Marketing Award - Hooker and Young

Customer Care Award, sponsored by Kérastase

"As a brand, Kérastase is focused on helping to support and elevate the industry in all areas of customer service. With this award, we will be looking for salons that can demonstrate a consistent approach, take the initiative in the arena of customer service, and really contribute to the wider success of their business." Helena Sampson, general manager, Kérastase 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Customer Care Award - Migele Experience

Manager of the Year, sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel

"L’Oréal Professionnel is both proud and pleased of its long association with the British Hairdressing Business Awards in the key category of Manager of the Year. In the fast-moving and tremendously competitive sector of modern hairdressing, it is vital to be abreast of the latest business trends. It is precisely for this reason we have launched the L’Oréal Professionnel Business Builder, an essential tool in today’s ever-changing environment." Alan Richardson, general manager, L’Oréal Professionnel 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Manager of the Year - Mark Woolley, Saks Brighton

Training Award, sponsored by Wella Professionals

"To be successful in this ever-changing and competitive industry, it is vital that individuals develop skills and knowledge to reach their potential. Wella Professionals’ unwavering dedication and ongoing commitment to the training arena is unrivalled in today’s market, and, our commitment to your career progression is paramount. We believe that today’s training is very much about your future and the creation of the hairdressers of tomorrow, this is why Wella Professionals is proud to sponsor this year’s Training Award." Sheila Jackson, partnership service manager, Wella Professionals 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Training Award - Zappas

Junior of the Year, sponsored by Fudge

"Fudge is about pushing boundaries, encouraging creativity and setting the standards for the future – something that the younger generation aspire to. The younger hairstylists have an energy similar to Fudge and I’m keen to embrace that and develop their careers through sponsorships such as these awards. When judging this category, it’s the passion that I’m looking for. It’s important that the junior creates their own entry and doesn’t get the salon owner or PR to do it. They should make sure their creativity shines through and that they have read and fully answered the brief. Hairdressers are creative and their entries should reflect this." Terry Sierocki, CEO, Fudge 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Junior of the Year - Leah Walton, The Colour Room

Retail Salon of the Year, sponsored by TIGI

"As a company, TIGI focuses on retailing. We believe our business is about ‘selling profit’. Retailing increases potential by improving customer service, (providing clients with a complete haircare programme) and adding to staff professionalism. A dedicated retail area creates an additional profit potential that targets salon clients and the passer-by. Sponsoring the Retail Award in the British Hairdressing Business Awards has perfect synergy with our brand. The winning salon should demonstrate a concentration on retail growth. This includes the ongoing education of staff, an understanding of merchandising, an appreciation of the importance of promotion and marketing and proven profit growth." Simon Ostler, MD of European operations, TIGI 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Retail Salon of the Year - Seanhanna

Independent Salon – Business Newcomer, sponsored by Great Lengths

"We are sponsoring the Independent Salon – Business Newcomer category because we feel it’s important to support the future of British hairdressing. At Great Lengths, we always look to the future and think the Independent Salon Newcomer award reflects this ideal. We are looking for a passion for the industry, a passion for clients, new and cutting-edge technology, and brilliant ideas and vision coupled with a genuinely knowledgeable, educated team. Behind every great creative hairdresser or stylist should be a solid, level-headed sense of business acumen. As I always say, failing to plan is planning to fail!" Debby Zoltie, managing director, Great Lengths 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Independent Salon Business Newcomer - Pure Aveda Lifestyle

Salon of the Year 1, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional

"Schwarzkopf Professional is committed to promoting business expertise and raising the profile of hairdressers in the industry. We see the British Hairdressing Business Awards as an excellent way of encouraging hairdressers to develop a higher business profile to match their already creative profiles through commercial planning, development and expansion. “British hairdressing enjoys a high status within the fashion and beauty industry and salons are very effective in how they promote themselves, it is important to recognise and reward great businesses in our industry and we are proud to sponsor this category." Peter Belcher, managing director, Schwarzkopf Professional 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Salon of the Year 1 - Maxwells Professional Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

Salon of the Year 2, sponsored by Clynol Salon Exclusive

"We have made this award category as quick and easy to enter as possible, this is not about pages and pages of copywriting – we want to get to the heart of the entry quickly, with busy hairdressers in mind! We always get a great response to this category, it’s about getting your criteria across and showing that you have total business support working in your salon structure. Our main advice would be to get your point across in bullet points – keep it very focused and exciting to read. Good luck." Brenda Robertson, business development manager, Clynol 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Salon of the Year 2 - Tommy’s Hair Company

Business Director of the Year, sponsored by Hairdressers Journal International

"Behind every successful salon is a business hot-shot who ensures that the company runs efficiently, effectively and most importantly, in profit. The Business Director of the Year must demonstrate a wide range of entrepreneurial skills that are required for driving a salon forward. This is always a very tough category to judge because there are many worthy directors who are running outstanding businesses, but ultimately there can only be one winner." Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher/editor-in-chief, HJ 2007 British Hairdressing Business Awards Business Director of the Year - Alan and Linda Stewart, Rainbow Room International Download your entry form for the 2008 British Hairdressing Business Awards