Awards build team spirit, lift performance

IBA 2009 gains experts’ endorsement

Business Awards foster team spirit and encourage management and staff to perform better and enable them to gain national and global recognition, a number of experts and top managers have said.

They were commenting on the recent launch of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2009, entries for which were open last month.

Vodafone New Zealand sector and partner manager Tony Bacon said it was empowering to see the impact that a relatively short and simple award application could have on businesses and people.

“The awards encourage people to have a good, critical look at the key aspects of the business – little more than taking some time out from being immersed in a business, and standing back a good few feet,” he said.

Mr Bacon who is on the panel of judges for IBA 2009, is “addicted to mobility,’ having spent his entire working life in the mobile sector.

An honours graduate in engineering electrical and electronic from the University of Auckland, he says he enjoys the vibrant and innovative ‘Vodafone Culture’ and loves being part of a successful global brand.

“My role allows me to get close to our customers and manage the strategic partnerships we have with developers and solutions providers,” he said.

Mr Bacon joined Vodafone in 2001 as its Centre of Excellence manager and developed the company’s partnering strategy and that helped support innovation and entrepreneurship in New Zealand.

He had previously worked on the country’s first cellular system tender preparation and evaluation in 1984, later managing the first cellular trial system in 1986.

His work there spanned cell planning, network planning, billing systems and network operations. He worked for Ericsson in Sweden from 1994 to 1996 in product management and technology partnership roles and in Melbourne from 1996-1998.

International Business Management Ltd managing director and chief executive Chip Dawson, also a judge on our panel, said business awards provided an opportunity to unite the entire company developing the strategy for the awards.

“The Awards provide you a clear understanding of your objectives and immediate goals and recognise you among your peers as outstanding and excellent.

“The Awards also encourage greatness with teams and open up your brand to the media and the potential global market.

“It builds commitment, passion, and excitement about your company,” he said.

 Mr Dawson is managing director, International Business Management Limited, a New Zealand based management advisory company.

In his role, he develops strategies and directions in management, sales, marketing and products for several national and international companies including Telecom, Eagle Technologies Group, Mischa Technology Solutions, EMS Global and Employee Manufacturers Association.

An American national with permanent resident status in New Zealand, he has more than 35 years of experience in the aerospace, software and IT industry, design graphics and telecommunications markets.

He has held several senior management roles including executive vice-president, executive director and national sales manager positions with Apple Computer Corporation, Telecom, Digital Equipment Corporation, Exicom International Corporation, Clear Communications and Hitachi Data Systems in New Zealand, US, UK and Asia.

Another judge on our panel is Tim Livingstone, director of UHY Haines Norton (Auckland) Ltd, Chartered Accountants, with over 25 years in public practice. 

He provides business advice to a broad range of clients and community organisations and assists them in developing strategic plans, budgets, cash-flow forecasts, monthly monitoring of management financial statements, preparation of business case proposals for major projects and the development of KPIs.

Mr Livingstone is a corporate governance specialist and sits on the board of directors of several privately owned companies. He is a councilor of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and has served on The National Public Practice and Tax Liaison Committees.

He is also a trustee on various not-for-profit organisations.

Suburban Newspapers New Zealand editor-in-chief David Kemeys said his group was delighted to sponsor IBA 2009.

“We have enormous regard for the achievements of members of the Indian community, both in a cultural and commercial sense.

“We have many Indian staff from journalists and sales people to managers and we are only too well aware of the contribution they make to our own business,” he said .

Christchurch based New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) international marketing manager (India) Don Rae commended the initiative of Indian Newslink in establishing IBA and for playing its part to help raise the profile of India as a destination for New Zealand exporters.

“Business award programmes can provide various benefits for companies depending on their state of maturity. For some, going through the entry process may be a helpful discipline which can clarify business strategy or planning, while for others the positives are more around leveraging publicity or providing a benefit to customers or key staff,” he said.

Mr Rae said he was personally happy to see success stories of Kiwi companies operating in India, particularly if NZTE had played a part in that success.

“I do hope that entrants and organisers alike enjoy the second running of this event,” he said.

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