Building a successful business is about much more than short-term profit - this is a key message for companies entering the Sussex Business Awards 2003.

The Learning Pays! award will recognise firms' commitment to staff training.

It is sponsored by the Sussex Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and judged by Norman Boyland and Henry Ball, of the LSC.

They will examine all the aspects of training, from identifying needs and putting development plans into action to how staff and companies benefit.

Last year's winner was Southdown Housing Association, which provides housing and support services to mental health service users in Sussex.

Staff are given opportunities to attend internal and external courses. The judges said the association showed a top-down and bottom-up approach to training, which led to a more effective organisation.

The Business Community Citizenship Award, sponsored by the Brighton and Hove Business Community Partnership (BCP) and American Express, will focus on organisations that are good citizens.

Building contractor Integra, which is based in Kemp Town, Brighton, won the award last year after demonstrating the breadth of its community work.

The company's community partners include Brighton and Hove Housing Partnership, Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling and Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project.

Since 1996 it has worked with Crash, a construction-related charity which provides winter shelters for homeless people.

Integra, which was founded in 1990, has a community budget every year. The company's staff turnover has declined each year, in part due to its community involvement. Integra has gained from positive publicity generated by its work.

This year's award will be judged by Mike Whyte, vice-president and head of the UK customer service centre for American Express, and BCP chairman Peter Field The Sustainable Business Award, which is sponsored by South-East Water and the Environment Agency, has been introduced for companies which create wealth while protecting the environment.

Judges will be looking for excellence in a company's contribution to the quality of the environment, contribution to social well-being and/or contribution to the economy.

There are ten other categories in this year's awards.

Entrants need to register their names, indicating the category/categories they are interested in.

They can register online or complete the registration form included in the prospectus available from the awards office on 01273 207155.

Entrants should send a simple profile with the entry form as soon as possible and no later than July 4. The judges will review the profiles and the companies and individuals shortlisted will be asked to make a fuller submission.

Web site: www.sussex-business-awards.co.uk
Wednesday June 4, 2003