THE hunt is on for Scotland’s best digitally focussed businesses as the ninth Scottish Digital Business Awards in association with DigitalBoost opens for entries.

Organised by The Herald and supported by DigitalBoost, Business Gateway, Enigma People Solutions, SQA and s1jobs.com, the Scottish Digital Business Awards is a national showcase for the very best in digital business, whether operating in social media, app development or e-commerce sites.

Hugh Lightbody, chief officer at the Business Gateway National Unit, said: “The Herald Digital Business Awards are a recognised part of the Scottish business calendar.

“As a key element in the Scottish Government’s digital strategy, the Business Gateway delivered DigitalBoost programme is helping to increase knowledge and skills in this crucial area, with SMEs across the country benefiting from an integrated series of fully funded digital services, including online tutorials, digital health checks, one-to-one advice and a comprehensive workshop programme.”

Digital Boost will be supporting the E-commerce Award this year.
The awards recognise the success of organisations, large and small, in seizing opportunities offered by digital technology and the internet. 

Since inception in 2008, the awards have grown in popularity and stature and have become a key date in October’s calendar.

Last year’s winners include NHS Lanarkshire, which took home the Public Sector Award, and NEU for Coldplay’s A Heart Full of Dreams album launch, which won the Consumer Engagement Award.

This year there are eleven categories, from the Education and Training Award, Best Use of Social Media and Digital Professional of the Year Award.

The Digital Agency Award category, which is supported by Enigma People Solutions, will be presented to the agency which has carried out the most advanced digital innovation in Scotland.

The winner will demonstrate technical/creative expertise as well as commercial success for their team or business. Judges will be looking for evidence of work per client. 

David Mains, director, Enigma People Solutions, said: “Being involved with these brilliant awards, helping to recognise and reward the great digital businesses that are driving Scotland forward, it’s something that’s really important to us.”

The awards also place importance on showcasing Scotland’s commitment to learning through the Education & Training Award, supported by SQA.
Dr Janet Brown, SQA chief executive said: “Harnessing digital technology can bring many benefits to business, including the upskilIing of employees.”

The closing date for entries is Thursday, August 24, 2017.  Full details are available at www.newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/the-herald-scottish-digital-business-awards/ or by calling Heather Steven on 0141 302 6018.
 

Categories

Business to Business Award
This award will be given to an organisation that can best demonstrate the effective implementation of digital platforms and tools in a business capacity. Judges will look for evidence of how the technique was adopted and has delivered consistent results in unpredictable market conditions.

E-Commerce Award sponsored by Digital Boost
This award is for an organisation that uses e-commerce to benefit the wider business.  Judges will be looking for a site which effectively converts visitors into purchasers.  Key criteria include design, functionality, checkout process and user experience as well as after sales service. The effective use of search to drive customers to the site will also be considered.

Charity and Social Enterprise Award
This award will be presented to an organisation that is using digital technology to drive social good in Scotland and beyond. We will be looking for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises where innovative digital projects have resulted in real and meaningful engagement with the people they work with, from donors and beneficiaries to the general public. This can include the use of social media, digital campaigns, websites and online platforms, and mobile apps and services. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase how digital technology can be used for social good, and to raise your profile and inspire others at the same time.

Public Sector Award 

This category is open to all government agencies, education establishments, health providers and uniformed services.  Judges will be looking for evidence of how digital tools, platforms or techniques have been used to meet an objective, simplify a process, galvanise support and encourage engagement.

Best Mobile Application (includes Games)
Judges will be looking for innovative and commercially successful apps, which have been created for the mobile space and simply wouldn’t work on a desktop. This category will reward the most effective mobile application targeting consumers/users across any mobile platform.  We understand that developers launch apps for different reasons, therefore the judges will select the winner based on the entrant’s stated objectives, user experience and app success.

Consumer Engagement Award

This category will recognise the most innovative use of digital platforms and tools to engage with consumers about a product, service or event.  Websites, e-targeted marketing campaigns, social media applications and mobile technology are all eligible.  Entrants should provide examples of how they have successfully communicated with the audience and the business benefits achieved.

Education & Training Award sponsored by SQA
This category will reward the innovative use of digital platforms to enhance education and training to a specific market. Judges will look at how the e-learning brief has been successful in achieving the objectives e.g. by a specific innovation or outstanding user take-up. Entrants should detail the aspirations of the programme and how it has aided the organisation or individual.  Access to the e-learning tool is needed to demonstrate its working.

Student Award 
To showcase emerging talent in Scotland we have launched the Student Award.  This category is open to students enrolled in full-time education at a Scottish college or university.  Students can submit a project which covers one or more digital platform which they have completed as part of their course.  Entries must demonstrate creativity, new ways of thinking and potential impact rather than specific business results.  This is your opportunity to showcase your skills on a national stage and pursue your goal of a career in the digital industry.

Best Use of Social Media Award
This category will reward an organisation that demonstrates the best use of social media to enhance loyalty, promote their services and interact with clients or customer base.  Entrants should include examples of how they have successfully utilized social media through the means of social networking sites, blogs and other forms of viral communication.

Digital Professional of the Year Award
This new category will recognise the best Digital, Media or Creative professional.  The individual will demonstrate technical / creative expertise as well as commercial success for their team or business.  Evidence of work and client/peer testimonials must be provided.

Digital Agency Award sponsored by Enigma People Solutions
This award will be presented to the agency which has carried out the most advanced digital innovation in Scotland.  This category will celebrate a digital leader with an impressive client list, diversity of work and excellence in creative execution.  Judges will review the agency’s overall quality of work, commercial success and fulfilment of client briefs (please supply client testimonials).  Overall we are looking for an agency that is using digital to excite, enthuse and inspire.