DOES your team stand out above the rest? Do they go the extra mile to make a real contribution to your business?

In association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, the 21st annual Dorset Business Awards will feature a brand new award to recognise exemplary teams.

Sponsored by Hays, the leading recruiting expert, the Team of the Year Award is looking for entries from local companies with a unique opportunity to honour the hard work and professionalism of a team who have exceeded expectations and made a real contribution to the success of a business.

Samantha Paterson-Crofts, senior manager at Hays, said: “Following the success of our Employee of the Year Award last year, we wanted to go a step further this year to celebrate how the achievements of a strong and powerful team can drive the success of a business.

“We are looking forward to receiving entries from companies throughout the region Dorset who are looking to reward their employees for their combined outstanding business performance.”

The Hays Team of the Year Award invites firms to nominate their very best teams by submitting an entry on their behalf.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added: “Teams are paramount to every company. A great team consists of a number of individuals who are dynamic in their approach to problem-solving, overcoming obstacles together for the greater good of the whole business.”

The judges for this category will be searching for finalists demonstrating hard work and professionalism, with evidence of a team that has gone above and beyond to realise the firm’s business objectives.

Entrants should include details of:

The team and its function within the business.

The impact of this team on your business with evidence of exceeding expectations.

The team’s greatest achievements to date.

How the team is viewed by the rest of the business

The awards are also backed by Wave 105 and are free to enter. Entrants can submit an entry via dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or print an entry form. The closing date for entry is Friday September 11. Entrants do not need to be a member of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For further information or to reserve tickets for the gala dinner at the BIC on November 26, contact Lorraine Hubbard on 01202 714810. There is an early bird discount until October 2.