Categories

Nomination Categories & Criteria

 

Categories

Rising Star Award

Outstanding Charity Work

Members’ Member Liverpool

Members’ Member Chester

Best Organised Event

Employer of the Year

Above and Beyond

Best PA Team

Best Boss

Lifetime Achievement

Merseyside/Chester VA of the Year 2020

Chester PA of the Year 2020

Merseyside PA of the Year 2020

 

Criteria for Awards and Nominees

The following information is designed to help you complete your applications for the Awards.
Make sure you look at the criteria for your nomination category as the judges will be using this when choosing their winners.
 
PLEASE NOTE
All finalists must be able to attend the Awards Ceremony on  the evening of Friday 23rd October 2020.
 

Important Dates

Closing Date – Thursday 4th June 2020
Finalists Announced – W/C 15th June 2020
Interviews (where applicable) – TBC (daytime)
Finalists Celebration Event –  TBC – 6pm – 8pm
Winners Announced at Awards Event: Friday 23rd October 2020 – 7pm – 12:30am
NOMINATE HERE
 

Important information:

You are able to self nominate but we will expect testimonials to back this up and if you are nominated by someone else we will contact you to ask you for a self statement to back the nomination up.

The judges will expect this to be followed so please do think about asking for those testimonials before you apply and be thorough with any supporting statements looking at the criteria required as the judges will refer to the criteria throughout the process.

 

Please note we cannot identify or give the details of your nominee unless they give us permission to do so.

 

We refer to the role throughout the information as Personal Assistant (PA). This is a generic use of the title for an assistant and covers other job titles such as Executive Assistant (EA), Virtual Assistant (VA), Business Assistant (BA), Secretary, Legal Secretary, Medical Secretary, Office Manager, Administrator etc. It is impossible to list all versions of the title for the role. We assume the assistants that apply are assisting at Director level or equivalent to qualify. If you want to check that you are eligible to apply please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification. We will treat each case individually and look at the role rather than the title.

Rising Star

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that meet the criteria below:

The nominee will have been a PA for less than four years and is showing enough promise for you to expect them to go far within the PA industry. They show ambition, enthusiasm, confidence, and are always happy to assist colleagues and managers.

  • How does the nominee demonstrate commitment to the role and the company?
  • How do they develop their skills in the role and how have these skills been applied to improve performance?
  • Does the nominee show eagerness to learn and develop? Have they completed additional training to improve themselves and/or have they considered any future plans for learning and development.

Extra Criteria

You must have been a PA for less than four years on 1 April 2o2o.

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Outstanding Charity Work

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that meet the criteria below:

The nominee for this category will be a PA who is making significant contributions to their community; a PA who makes you wonder, “How do they fit all this in as well as work, family and life?” This award recognises the unsung heroes of our communities.

They may volunteer for a charity or be a much needed helping hand to a member of the public. They may have raised money for charity in some way or they may be a shining example within a community showing compassion and empathy to a cause or are helping others achieve.

  • Give examples of how and where the nominee has been involved in volunteer activities at work or in the community at any point within the last 12 months.
  • How are they making a difference from these activities?
  • Explain how they strive to make the world a better place when giving up their time showing compassion and empathy in the extra work they are doing.
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Members’ Member Liverpool

Our PA members are invited to vote for their fellow members who they believe are worthy to be recognised within The PA Hub membership at the Liverpool group.

This nominee could be seen as an inspiration to others within the profession, has welcomed you into the group, given great advice or just been generally nice to everyone and making people feel at ease. They may have spoken at an event, helped out on reception or been the helpful driver for the evening. They may have introduced you to The PA Hub and you are grateful for the opportunities, the collaboration and the friendships this has given you or they may have given unknowing advice and you want them to know you value their opinion.

  • Nominate for your Members’ Member – the PA with the most votes will be the winner.
  • Be nice to everyone – it could be you!

Extra Criteria

  • You must be a current paying PA Hub member on 1 April 2020 on any type of membership. This does not apply to non-members who pay per event.
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Members’ Member Chester

The Chester & North Wales PA Network members are invited to vote for their fellow members who they believe are worthy to be recognised within the membership.

This nominee could be seen as an inspiration to others within the profession, has welcomed you into the group, given great advice or just been generally nice to everyone and making people feel at ease. They may have spoken at an event, helped out on reception or been the helpful driver for the evening. They may have introduced you to the Chester & North Wales PA Network and you are grateful for the opportunities, the collaboration and the friendships this has given you or they may have given unknowing advice and you want them to know you value their opinion.

  • Nominate for your Members’ Member – the PA with the most votes will be the winner.
  • Be nice to everyone – it could be you!

Extra Criteria

  • You must be a current Chester & North Wales PA Network member on 1 April 2020.
Chester & North Wales PA Network

Best Organised Event

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that meet the criteria below:

The nominee for this category will have excellent organisational skills enabling them to produce and deliver an outstanding event; be that a board meeting, an away day, a gala dinner, awards ceremony, a PA event or a full-on conference.

Tell us about the event:

  • What type of event was it?
  • Where and when was the event held?
  • How many people attended?
  • What special skills did the nominee show to make it go to plan?
  • What made it different or extraordinary? How did it stand out from other events?
  • Please include up to 2 testimonials (on the additional A4 attachment) as we believe the best events will have positive feedback from the guests who attended.

Extra Criteria

The event, meeting or conference must have been held within the last 24 months within the period of 1 April 2018 –  1 April 2020.

Employer of the Year

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that meet the criteria below:

The smallest of things can make a happy work place. Here is your chance to show how you make that happen within your company:

  • How does your business support and encourage continuous personal development and excellent training opportunities for your PAs?
  • Tell us about how the company encourages PA networking whether that be an internal or external PA group or both.
  • How does the business make sure they listen to the staff and ask for their views on the company?
  • How does the company keep present and engage with changes for the future such as embracing new technologies or business practice?
  • Please add up to 2 testimonials (on the additional A4 attachment) from the employees on the initiatives that your company has made that take it from good to great.
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Above and Beyond

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that meet the criteria below:

This category is designed for a PA who has influenced or implemented something that proved to make a visible difference or cost saving to their company; a PA who understands the needs of the business they work for.

Examples such as a smooth running of a complicated office move, a system that makes the office a brighter and happier place, a successful project or a service introduced that saves time for employees. Something that is different to the day to day role of an assistant and has been a welcome change.

  • How has a new system, service or project proved successful and had a positive influence to the workplace?
  • Kept everything running in a Crisis situation.
  • Has a new initiative saved business time and resources?
  • Describe how the new and improved way of working has made a difference to the company.
  • All PAs make a difference on a day to day basis; what makes this nomination different to make it stand out from the crowd?

Best PA Team

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that meet the criteria below:

This category is for a team of PAs who work as a group to deliver an excellent service to their company and work over and above expectations. They will demonstrate outstanding team work and show invaluable initiative to the business they work for. They will work extremely well together to achieve set objectives and provide a good support network for not only their own team but those who they work with on a daily basis.

Possible Examples:

  • Any particular projects that have achieved success by working as a team?
  • How do the team meet specific objectives by required deadlines?
  • Have your team have undertaken specific training together to meet the needs of the business?
  • How do the team support each other?
  • Perhaps there is a successful internal network you can tell us about.
  • How do the team make sure the business runs smoothly with a consistent high level of work, achieving specific objectives and delivering the required outcomes.

Extra Criteria

  • There must be at least three PAs in the team to qualify for this category.
  • All team members must work for the same company.
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Best Boss

Interviews will not be held for this category. However, to help the judges make their decision please provide examples within your application that can be taken into consideration.

The nominee for this award will be highly regarded by all levels of staff. They show strength, direction and cascade their company’s values to all teams and employees within their structure. They have inclusive ideas and work hard to make sure the department/company runs efficiently and effectively.

Having a good PA/Manager relationship is paramount. Vote here for a boss that you respect and work in partnership with.

Possible Examples:

  • What positive attributes does your boss have and how do they communicate the message of good working values throughout the organisation?
  • How does your boss show instinctive leadership skills with an understanding for their employees?
  • How does your boss value employees and listen to their ideas that may better the business?
  • Describe your working relationship with your boss.
  • Give examples of how you work well together and how you help your boss be the best that they can be for the company.
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Lifetime Achievement

The finalists for this category will need to attend an interview with our judging panel in Liverpool City Centre – date to be arranged.

The nominee for this special award must have been a PA for over 20 years. They will be recognised for their lifetime dedication to the industry and will be highly respected by their colleagues and peers having reached a pinnacle in their career.

This award will be testament to their dedication to their career, the profession and the companies they have worked for.

  • How does the nominee show continuous enthusiasm and commitment to the PA profession?
  • How does the nominee show mentorship skills to less experienced PAs?
  • How does the nominee show continuing professional and personal development?
  • Please include a testimonial from the current executive if this person is not the nominator (on the additional A4 attachment).

Extra Criteria

You must have been a PA for more than twenty years on 1 April 2020.

Merseyside/Chester VA of the Year 2020

The finalists for this category will need to attend an interview with our judging panel in Liverpool City Centre – date to be arranged.

This category is for self-employed Virtual Assistants or Freelance PAs only from the area of Merseyside or Chester; those who run their own independent business. Employed company VAs will not be shortlisted.

  • How does the nominee show entrepreneurial flair with a proven record of excellent delivery of a first rate service to their clients.
  • How does the nominee enhance the customer experience?
  • How does the nominee show talent in their business and stand out above others in this field?
  • What initiatives has the business made that takes it from a ‘nice to have’ helping hand to being an essential and fundamental part of the client’s business success.
  • What business growth plans has the nominee got in place for new ideas showing entrepreneurial skills for getting those new initiatives started.
  • Please include up to 2 testimonials (on the additional A4 attachment) from your clients.

Chester PA of the Year 2020

The finalists for this category will need to attend an interview with our judging panel in Liverpool City Centre – date to be arranged.

The nominee for this exceptionally coveted award will be a PA who is highly regarded by fellow professionals for their overall dedication and accomplishments within their company. This individual will have shown flair, ambition, commitment and have a desire to progress in this profession.

This Award is a real testament to someone who is dedicated to the PA profession and appreciates how important their role is in the day to day running of their business.

  • Describe the working relationship between the nominee and boss.
  • How does the nominee get involved with business strategy? Please include examples of how the nominee demonstrates good business practice within the company and the support they give to their executive/s.
  • How do they stand out from the crowd and what invaluable skills do they have that the company benefits from.
  • What professional and personal development has the nominee undertaken in the last 12 months?
  • What  professional and personal development does the nominee wish to pursue in the future?
  • How does the nominee promote the profession?
  • Is the nominee an active networker – if so please tell us about this.
  • Please include a testimonial from the current executive if this person is not the nominator (on the additional A4 attachment).

The winner of this Award will be expected to work with The PA Hub for 12 months following the Awards to promote and champion the profession. This can include speaking at events, writing articles & being an ambassador for The PA Hub and Chester & North Wales PA Network. The winner will win a continuous complimentary membership with The PA Hub.

Extra Criteria

You must have been a PA for more than 4 years on 1 April 2020.

The PA must live or work in the Chester area.

Merseyside PA of the Year 2020

The finalists for this category will need to attend an interview with our judging panel in Liverpool City Centre – date to be arranged.

The nominee for this exceptionally coveted award will be a PA who is highly regarded by fellow professionals for their overall dedication and accomplishments within their company. This individual will have shown flair, ambition, commitment and have a desire to progress in this profession.

This Award is a real testament to someone who is dedicated to the PA profession and appreciates how important their role is in the day to day running of their business.

  • Describe the working relationship between the nominee and boss.
  • How does the nominee get involved with business strategy? Please include examples of how the nominee demonstrates good business practice within the company and the support they give to their executive/s.
  • How do they stand out from the crowd and what invaluable skills do they have that the company benefits from.
  • What professional and personal development has the nominee undertaken in the last 12 months?
  • What  professional and personal development does the nominee wish to pursue in the future?
  • How does the nominee promote the profession?
  • Is the nominee an active networker – if so please tell us about this.
  • Please include a testimonial from the current executive if this person is not the nominator (on the additional A4 attachment).

The winner of this Award will be expected to work with The PA Hub for 12 months following the Awards to promote and champion the profession. This can include speaking at events, writing articles & being an ambassador for The PA Hub. The winner will win a continuous complimentary membership with The PA Hub.

Extra Criteria

You must have been a PA for more than 4 years on 1 April 2020.

The PA must live or work in the Merseyside area.

Quest Liverpool City Centre
NOMINATE HERE
 

If you have any questions please contact our Awards Team by emailing [email protected]

Best wishes

Marion & Jon

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