COMPANIES need to give top-quality service if they are to hold on to customers and win new business in today's challenging business environment.

And the nebusiness awards, organised by the Journal and Evening Gazette in association with the North East Chamber of Commerce, are looking for the companies that can show their exceptional customer service has helped them build their success.

Last year’s winner was BT South Tyneside, a company launched in 2008 to deliver a services contract for South Tyneside Council.

It has grown to provide training and employment opportunities to residents, and has engaged closely with schools, colleges and firms to help achieve the physical and economic regeneration of the borough. The South Shields-based company has a range of clients and its operations include the customer contact centre for Tyne & Wear Fire Brigade.

There are 10 categories at the nebusiness awards, which give companies across the region the chance to show they are the very best.

The region’s biggest and most prestigious business competition highlights and rewards the success of our most outstanding firms over 12 months.

Hundreds of companies came forward to show their strength, ambition and innovation as they entered the awards last year despite the toughest economic conditions for half a century. We hope more will compete this year.

The awards give firms of every size the chance to show what makes them special and they have until December 23 to get entries in.

Since 2001 when the sub-regional heats were launched, around 2,300 companies have entered at least one of the award categories. That is a fantastic endorsement of the event and shows the awards really mean something to the business community.

And the roll call of big names which sponsor and provide more than 100 category judges gives the event credibility.