How to compile a winning british hairdressing business awards entry

Time is running out to put your entry together for HJ's British Hairdressing Business Awards 2010.

If you haven't completed your entry form, here is some last-minute advice from previous winners.

British Hairdressing Business Awards Closing Date: Friday 18th June

HJ's 2009 Design of the Year: Lisa Shepherd, Lisa Shepherd Salons, Kidderminster

"Give your entry to someone totally independent to read. Ensure they enjoy reading it, find it interesting, and feel that you have answered all the criteria - if they do, the chances are the judges will, too."

HJ's 2007 Manager of the Year: Mark Woolley, Electric Hairdressing, London

"Honesty is key. It is essential to share your achievements with the industry so that others can learn. It also pushes you to be creative and continuously come up with new things."

HJ's 2007 Marketing Award: Gary Hooker, Hooker & Young, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

"If you don't have a lot of time to put your entry together, it is vital to be concise and don't add unnecessary information to bulk out the entry. Be clear and stay true to your brand identity."

HJ's 2009 Business Director of the Year: Scott Smurthwaite, Cream Hairdressing, Gloucester

"Firstly, get professional people from outside the industry to comment on your proposed entry. Secondly, you have to believe that you are head and shoulders above the competition before you consider entering."

HJ's 2009 Manager of the Year: Sean Dawson, HOB Salons, London

"I would recommend doing a check list of the key points you want to cover. From motivation and team through to awards and integrity, write down all the vital points you feel would give your entry weight, then go through the entry and tick each point once you've covered it. This will confirm that you have included all the relevant areas and give you added confidence that your entry is a winning one."

HJ's 2007 Website of the Year: Toby Dicker, The Chapel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent 

"Sometimes having a deadline looming is a good thing - it really helps you to focus. But make sure you book out some time to prepare, check and double-check your entry; and if you've got limited time, focus on the one entry that will showcase the strongest element of your business, rather than entering others that won't be as likely to stand out from the crowd."

HJ's 2007 Salon of the Year 2: Esther van der Veken-Prins, Tommy's Ruthin, Denbighshire

"With a week to go before the deadline, you should be in the final stages of putting your entry together. Go through the entry guidelines and criteria for each category and ensure you have fully understood what is required. Ensure you have dedicated enough time to pull the entire entry together into a finished product. Doing it in a rush can lead to mistakes."

HJ's 2007 Business Director of the Year: Linda Stewart, Rainbow Room International, Glasgow

"Planning is key when entering any kind of award. If you do leave your entry to the last minute, the best thing you can do is take extra time and care to re-check your entry. Supply as much evidence to back up your words as you possibly can."

HJ's 2008 Business Director of the Year: Andrew Phouli, RUSH London, Croydon, Surrey

"As in all things business-related, preparation is key. I would strongly recommend having a rigid plan of action, as well as allowing yourself plenty of time for putting your entry together. It's essential that all key areas are covered and illustrated clearly in the entry. If, however, you find yourself working last minute, then keep it simple and straightforward, ensuring all the requested criteria are covered."