SAMANTHA Peachey, (pictured) business development and human resources manager, at Peacheys Chartered Accountants and Adding Value Business Advisers, looks at how it could be you.

You can't live with them, you can't live without them...and it's not what you think! Computers, in the age of technology, e-commerce and the Internet, are a necessary piece of equipment in any business, but with the frequency with which upgrades, and innovative new IT features come on the market, it's essential to stay up to date.

With virtual trading, you literally have access to a whole new world of business, and it can be quite daunting making that first initial step into cyber space, or building on the growth that you have had in this area.

Last year's winner of the Most Promising Enterprise Award, Gregg Turner, one of the directors with Bluemedia Network, based in Tredegar Chambers, Newport, knows how important a commercially well-designed website is to business.

Gregg and fellow director John Reynish have clients throughout the area, in a wide range of industries, who have benefited from their client- orientated, and unique approach to business promotion on line.

Winning the award last year has consolidated Gregg's commitment to new leading edge projects, and he is sure that Bluemedia will continue to amaze clients with their insight and ideas on making websites an essential, profit-contributing area of businesses.

The 12th Gwent Young Entrepreneur Competi tion, sponsored by the South Wales Argus, Barclays Bank, the M4 Business Breakfast Club, Newport and Gwent Enterprise and Peacheys Chartered Accountants, hopes to attract more young people who show enthusiasm and want to take the lead with change, with a real vision of the future of their business, and demonstrate how they hope to achieve these aspirations.

The judges believe that these qualities are more important than the size of a business, or the length of time that someone has been trading.

Just think what you could do with the free publicity that all applicants receive, let alone if you win an award.

You can use your competition success as part of your marketing and PR strategy, letting your customers and clients know about your accomplishment, increasing their confidence in you as a quality provider.

Are you 35 years of age or under, and a sole trader, partner or director in a Gwent-based business?

Give me a call on 01633 213318 or e-mail gye@peacheys.co.uk for an application form, and the chance to win the superb prizes on offer, culminating in a high profile, press covered presentation lunch at The Celtic Manor Resort for the winners.

The two runner-up prizes are each worth £1,125, and there is a special training award sponsored by the M4 Business Breakfast of £1,000 to boost the training budget of the applicant who most clearly demonstrates their understanding of training and its importance.

Peacheys were the founding sponsors in 1990, and each year the competition has grown, measured by the success of applicants, and previous winners.

The Peacheys team are committed to the generation and encouragement of new businesses, and the success of enterprise in all shapes and sizes in the region. Gwent Young Entrepreneur allows us to publicly demonstrate and facilitate this countywide.

If you want to be part of the success story, and one of those entrepreneurs who will inspire and lead the local business community of the future, you can't afford to miss out. Sit back and take the opportunity to look at your achievements, and your business vision by completing the application form, using it as a tool to evaluate your business. And call the sponsors if you need any assistance or guidance in completing the form what could be easier?

Don't speculate, cogitate, ruminate, contemplate - do it now, pick up the phone, or attack your keyboard, and invest in the future.