WINNING awards boosts business, say bosses. According to a survey by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), 62 per cent of business leaders in Kent and the south east believe winning an award helps when pitching for tenders.

They say it gives a good indication of quality and helps with recruitment and staff motivation.

This finding comes just days before the launch of the 2008 Kent Business Awards – November 15 – and a few weeks before the deadline for entries to SEEDA’s new South East Business Awards.

The survey of 200 business chiefs also found an overwhelming majority in favour of playing an active part in schools and community projects.

More of a surprise was the discovery that only a third of respondents think the county is a good place in which to invest or run a successful organisation, while 41 per cent rate it as average.

Only 23 per cent expect business prospects to improve in the next six months, with 22 per cent expecting them to get worse. Just under half – 47 per cent – anticipate little difference. Negative aspects of doing business in the south east include bad transport (24 per cent), drugs, drink and violence (15 per cent) and expensive/scarce housing (15 per cent).

Jeff Alexander, executive director of SEEDA’s Global Competitiveness Division, said: “One of the ways to help business to address the challenges outlined in the survey is through identifying and spreading best practice. That is why the South East Business Awards will showcase outstanding business achievements so far, enable leading companies to network and share best practice, and provide a benchmark for other businesses in the south east.”

The eight award categories include international business, innovation and creativity, manufacturing, skills and development, young entrepreneur, sustainable business (workplace and community), sustainable business – environment, and business growth.

uE06E Firms can apply online at www.southeastbusinessawards.co.uk by the closing date of November 28. Winners will be announced in March.