Executive Summary

The purpose of the Executive Summary is to give judges a general overview and better understanding of your business. Although not an exhaustive list, some examples of the type of information judges will be looking for are listed below. This question is not scored and is for background information only.

• Types of services on offer
• Size and purpose of your business
• How long you have been operating
• Any other information you feel is relevant

1.  Please explain the driving reason and purpose behind your innovation, and the resulting outcomes and learnings.

Please use your best example(s) of innovation within the relevant time period, outlining why they are your best example(s). Focus on how you delivered or implemented the innovation, rather than simply facilitating innovation.

You should provide evidence of activity and actions taken between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Focus on the areas most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you do, how it works, and the results. You can also add other relevant information if helpful.

You may wish to include:

• If relating to an existing part of your business what is the new and innovative products/services/element to this
• The identified gap in the customer experience/market — and identify how this differs from standard business activity or business as usual
• How you have effectively adapted to change
• How you have created and developed your unique selling point
• What were the risks around your innovation?
• Creative partnership working
• Uniqueness of the innovation
• Visitor or staff feedback systems

2.  What steps are you currently taking to develop your business or innovation? What do you hope to achieve and how are you measuring success?

You should provide evidence of current developments and how benefits will be monitored / measured, eg. through feedback, increased revenue, target market statistics. Please cover any areas you think are relevant although you may wish to include aspects such as:

• Plans for new and innovative products/services/functionality
• New collaboration and/or partnership working
• Intentionally targeting new markets or increasing occupancy rates
• Obtaining an external assessment of quality and experience (eg awards schemes, customer ratings)

3.  Please demonstrate how you embed sustainability practices into your day-to-day business operations

Please provide evidence of activity and actions taken between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Focus on the areas most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you do, how it works, and the results. You can also add other relevant information if helpful.

You may wish to include:

• Developing a climate action plan; achieving green awards; green champions within your business/event; promoting environmental sustainable practices undertaken in your business; reducing waste from packaging; reducing food waste; increasing energy efficiency
• Ensuring that you are providing for visitors with access requirements; creating and promoting an accessibility guide detailing the onsite visitor journey; creating an access guide on your website to make your digital content accessible;; catering to visitors with various dietary preferences; autism/dementia friendly options; staff training
• Use and promotion of local products and services; working with local businesses; engaging with local communities to inform the development and/or delivery of your activity
• Promoting the local area, including nearby businesses and attractions; delivery of any relevant events that promote Scottish culture and nature, sharing the history of your business, community and local area
• Implementing nature-based solutions that protect, restore or create thriving natural habitats, such as protection of eco-systems, capturing carbon in nature, tree planting etc