A prize package designed to help propel a successful small or medium-sized business to the next level is being offered in a competition being run by West Bromwich Albion FC sponsor Intuit QuickBooks and the Birmingham Post.
QuickBooks, which is the world's number one small business accounting software, is inviting SMEs from all sectors to enter the Small Business Big Success competition, with a raft of great prizes worth an estimated £15,000 on offer to the ultimate winner.
The competition judges want to hear from small businesses keen to share their success stories, be they butchers, builders, café owners or consultants.
The winner will be selected by a panel of judges that includes QuickBooks' UK country manager Rich Preece, West Bromwich Albion's sales and marketing director Adrian Wright and Birmingham Post editor Stacey Barnfield.
One Birmingham company currently flying high after a recent award win is branding agency ORB.
The company, which won the Communications Company of the Year category at last year's Birmingham Post Business Awards, serves as a shining example of how an award win can help stimulate further success and growth.
The company has kicked off 2015 with four new hires and a promotion, including three additions to its senior management team.
As part of ambitious growth plans Orb has strengthened all areas of its business, with key appointments across brand strategy, creative, client service and senior management.
In a significant move for the business, three additions have joined its management team. Anthony Bisseker joins as head of business development.
Mr Bisseker is a well-known figure in the Birmingham business community following previous business development roles with Trinity Mirror, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Marketing Birmingham.
Orb's management team is further boosted by new head of creative, Ceri Looker and Kev Kelly as head of strategy. Mr Looker is a former senior designer with award winning Midlands agency RBH and F1 games developer Codemasters. His experience includes a number of high-profile clients including Indian burrito company Wrapchic and retail property developer Hammerson.
The management team appointments are complemented by other new hires including former journalist Naeem Alvi as lead copywriter and account manager, Anna Assinder.
Orb founder and managing director Rob Bloxham said: Winning Communications Company of the Year at the Birmingham Post Awards was huge for us.
"It helped us to raise our profile and introduced us to businesses that we have since started to work with. The Intuit QuickBooks competition offers similar exposure as well as hands on expert support, I'd encourage small businesses from across Birmingham to apply.
"There is also a growing appetite from larger corporates to engage and work with SMEs, and as a specialist in this area, we have been able to help many of these companies access the market."
The branding firm has doubled its turnover and headcount in the past year while adding to its client roster. This year it will look to build on this with plans to grow by a further 60 per cent.
HOW TO ENTER
Businesses that wish to enter the Small Business Big Success competition should visit www.quickbooks.co.uk/success where they can tell about their success and how they want to develop their company in 2015.
Entries need to be received before 11.59pm on Sunday, March 1 and entrants must be a legal resident or UK citizen and 18 years or older.
They must own a small business, defined by having 50 or fewer full-time employees, and registered at Companies House. Entrants must either be the small business owner or an employee, submitting with the permission of the owner.
Their business must be based in the West Midlands county (comprising Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Solihull, Walsall and Sandwell), Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Telford & Wrekin or Stoke-on-Trent.
The judges will select a winner who best demonstrates success and how the prize package would help them.
The winner will receive a package worth £15,000 to celebrate their success, as well as support to take their business to the next level.
In addition to £5,000 cash, the winner's prize includes a full page feature in the Birmingham Post.
The winning business will also benefit from advertising at the West Bromwich Albion v Queen's Park Rangers fixture on Saturday April 4. This will include 20 minutes of coverage on the pitch LED screens, as well as printed content in the West Bromwich Albion matchday programme that day.
The winner can also enjoy day at the Hawthorns to see their business being promoted to include tickets, hospitality and a mascot package.
In addition, the winner will receive free QuickBooks small business accounting software for two years and expert clinic sessions with an accountant as well as marketing and social media specialists.
