Glasgow's businesses rank among the best in the world, from high finance to corner sweet shops.

During the past two months nominations have flooded into the Evening Times for this year's Glasgow Business Awards.

The aim is to reward the west of Scotland's top companies and the men and women behind them.

Now the list of nominations has been whittled down to six, and it's your turn to tell us who you think is the best.

We want readers to choose the firm they think is the pride of Glasgow.

Over the next three days MARISA DUFFY will profile the six firms competing for the title of Glasgow's Favourite Business 2011...

GLASGOW TAXIS LTD

With a black cab on every street corner, the Glasgow Taxis brand is a familiar one on city streets.

The company is the largest supplier of licensed taxis in the UK apart from London.

Glasgow Taxis Ltd was formed in 1997 from a merger of the city's major cab companies.

An association of Glasgow Licensed Taxi Operators formed in the 1950s laid the foundations of the company which exists today, and has been transporting the people of Glasgow since the days of the radio to the present GPS-controlled dispatch system.

Board member Jack Ferguson has been driving taxis for 20 years and has no doubt what makes the company popular with the public: the drivers.

He said: "You have to be a people person. You even hear people say: 'If you want an answer to a question, ask a taxi driver, because they are very chatty chappies'.

"It's knowing when to talk and when to keep quiet.

"If you are taking a solicitor to court, they are checking their notes and don't want to talk to you, but you get the vibes right away. When they're going for interviews, people are different.

"Some want to chat about it, while others are going through their notes. Experienced drivers know when to keep quiet."

Mr Ferguson believes the varied backgrounds of Glasgow Taxis's employees make for an interesting workforce.

He said: "People come from all walks of life. It's a real mixture. We have part-time firemen, retired policemen, car salesmen.

"Many of these people have been laid off, especially since the recession, and then there are those like me who worked in the finance sector."

In recent years, the company has branched out into wedding hire. White, silver or burgundy cars are decked out with ribbons and flowers – and white umbrellas, of course, should the unthinkable happen.

The company has also introduced compulsory workwear for drivers in the form of polo shirts to create a professional image.

Community involvement is part of the company ethos, and its highest-profile event is the annual taxi outing for sick children, now in its 65th year, which attracts crowds across the city.

Of being shortlisted for Glasgow's Favourite Business Award, Mr Ferguson said: "It is an honour to be nominated for something like this.

"You read the paper and see that Barrhead Travel won last year, and you wonder what it would be to win. It would be like a dream come true.

"It would be wonderful to win. Just to put us on the map. That's what every business should be trying to achieve: customer satisfaction."

TRON THEATRE

The site of the present day Tron Theatre has been a place of Christian worship, a venue for hangings, a meeting hall, a market, a store house, a police station and a theatre.

From its origins as a kirk in 1529, to its present incarnation as a thriving theatre, it has been a familiar landmark in Glasgow's Merchant City area, a stone's throw from Glasgow Cross, easily identified by its 16th-century steeple.

For more than 20 years, it has thrived as a cultural venue. The premises were given a £5 million redevelopment in 1999 to create modern new spaces that complement the historic parts of the building.

However, the real magic is what happens within the stone walls. The Tron is known for its popular and more experimental shows with an emphasis on new writing and on world, UK and Scottish premieres.

In April 2008 Andy Arnold, previously artistic director of The Arches, was appointed artistic director of the Tron Theatre.

His first production, The Drawer Boy, a Scottish premiere of Canadian playwright Michael Healey's much plaudited play, received audience and critical acclaim.

Homegrown talent such as director/actress Alison Peebles and comedian Dave Anderson also have strong links with the theatre.

The venue plays host to various festivals including Celtic Connections, Glasgow International Jazz Festival, Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the Merchant City Festival, Mayfesto, a revival of a traditional Glasgow festival with politically charged themes, and Glasgay!

Andy Arnold said: "The Tron strives to create dynamic, exciting theatre of the highest quality, which serves the needs of the community, yet which is national and international in scope and ambition.

"We are dedicated to presenting contemporary classic theatre and new work by innovative writers. We aim to support and mentor young artists and involve the non-professional community in the theatre-making process. Our passion is to engage audiences in the unique experience of live theatre. Our audience is our reason for existence."

Executive director Anne McCluskey added: "The Tron Theatre is absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the Glasgow Business Awards.

"The dedicated team work very hard to deliver the best to the Tron's customers, audiences and participants, and this nomination is a fitting recognition of their effort."

HOW TO VOTE

To vote for your favourite Glasgow business either email businessawards@eveningtimes.co.uk or send in your vote to Evening Times Business Awards, Newsdesk, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB.

You can view full details of the award categories and descriptions of companies and download the category-specific entry forms from the Glasgow Business Awards website: www.glasgowbusinessawards.org

For more information, contact the Glasgow Business Awards Information Helpline on 0141 249 6660 or email trobertson@strategem.co.uk