Demonstration of how you have directly influenced corporate (or functional) strategy through your work. This might include, for example, developing an entirely new strategy, opening up new channels to market, advising on M&A activity including divestment, developing new products or services or redesigning a client’s target operating model. You may have redesigned your client’s commercial model and implemented an entirely new pricing strategy. Programmes delivering transformational change or major business turnaround would also fit here.

This category is about projects that have had a positive impact on how the client has improved their business through technology. Entrants may have achieved digital impact via different routes. Three core paths include digitising key processes, implementing core business systems or developing bespoke software to solve a client issue.

The winning entry will be able to demonstrate quantifiable benefits showing how technology has brought cost benefits, improved internal processes and/or generated new opportunities for the client. Points will be awarded for the level of innovation and uniqueness of approach. Where software has been developed, the extent to which there has been commercial application outside of this specific client for which it was designed, will also be recognised by the judges. Relevant projects might include those centred around the deployment of new technology in areas such as ERP, CRM, IT testing, business intelligence or cyber security.

This award recognises high impact people-related initiatives, that don’t fall under the banner of cultural transformation. Relevant interventions include training and development, coaching, performance management, talent management, organisational development, recruitment, retention and HR transformation. The kind of outcomes the judges will expect to see include increases in retention, employee engagement, productivity, internal promotions and cost savings.

This award recognises demonstrable commercial impact, that could come from a number of sources. Your intervention might have directly increased revenue, reduced costs or improved margin. Your programme of change may have reduced risk or resulted in more end customers being acquired or retained by your client. The important thing is that you have delivered positive, quantifiable commercial impact.

Demonstration of work that has had a significant impact on environmental, social or governance factors. Examples of projects include net zero carbon, sustainable supply chains, waste reduction, clean energy and work that focuses on climate related projects. Projects related to increasing sustainability, minimising risk, regulatory compliance and improvements in board governance will also fit here. Winning award entries will be able to demonstrate a measurable and sustained impact.

Demonstration of delivering successful projects in overseas countries overcoming language, cultural, regulatory and geographical barriers. This could be a strategic-, operational- or technology-led project. The key factor being that the complexity of the project was significantly increased due to the international nature and geographical spread of those impacted. Judges will also be interested in teams constituting multiple cultures and how they delivered consistently across borders, whilst adapting to the context of each individual territory.

Consultancies entering this category will need to be able to demonstrate high levels of engagement in their workforce. Engagement can be demonstrated in several ways, for example: employee survey scores, discretionary effort, pride, staff retention, internal promotions, staff tenure and staff recommending that their friends come and work for you. Judges will also be looking for teams that create memories together and collaborate to influence the direction of the business and the impact the business has with clients.

This award recognises the unsung heroes that make sure the consulting team get to deliver exceptional client work in a frictionless manner. Making it easy for consultants to record and bill time, giving real time visibility of project margin and anticipating over runs. Ensuring a seamless and timely resourcing process, fulfilling expertise and resource needs, to ensure that client needs are met, and high standards of delivery are maintained. Standardised project costing ensuring target margins are achieved. Achieving the balance of profitable utilisation and high employee satisfaction. Building a learning organisation, ensuring the whole consulting team has easy access to the most up to date thinking and relevant templates / tools.  Systematic integration and reporting across pipeline management; project management and financial management.

Winners of this category will be able to demonstrate consistent and significant growth for several years across key growth metrics: revenue, profit, team size, service lines, markets and geographies. Judges will take account of where the firm is starting from – recognising that it is much easier to achieve higher rates of growth from a small base.

This Award recognises exceptional individual consulting performance which can manifest in a number of ways. Examples include: breaking new ground with a particularly innovative solution for a client, making a significant contribution to a client’s performance, leading a project team to deliver a particularly complex or challenging change programme, or making a significant personal contribution to thought leadership in their specialist field.

This award will go to the TCGN member that has made the biggest contribution to The Network, leveraged the assets available and seen positive growth as a result. No applications are required for this award, our community team will nominate members based on their experience of them. Points will be awarded for members who support other members, contribute to events and on slack, explore partnerships with other members and take action to improve their business.