In search of Best Businesswoman, Young Entrepreneur

The Indian Newslink Indian Business Award (IBA) 2010 will feature two new and exciting categories to identify and honour a businesswoman and a young entrepreneur who have had a significant impact on the success of a business.

The Best Businesswoman of the Year and the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards have been included in this year’s categories, in response to the suggestions made by participants in the IBA 2008 and 2009.  Nominations will be accepted for these categories, although participants may also enter on their own, like other Awards.

The Categories

The Awards Scheme this year comprises eleven categories, including the Best Exporter to India Business, Best Large Business, Best Medium Business, Best Small Business, Best Professional Services Business, Best Retailer Business, Best Restaurant Business, Best Business Innovation, Best Marketing Excellence, Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Woman Business Person of the Year.

One of the winners of the above awards will qualify for the Supreme Business of the Year Award.

The Best Exporter to India Business category is open to all businesses established and registered in New Zealand exporting products or services to India.

All other categories are open only to businesses established in New Zealand including those owned, operated, managed and franchised by people of Indian origin who are either citizens or permanent residents.

Each participant can enter up to three categories.

Participants who satisfy the eligibility criteria should download the entry forms available on our websites (www.indiannewslink.co.nz and www.inliba.co.nz) to their computers and send them duly completed to Chad Wilkie, Convenor of our Judging Panel and Executive Director, Ignition Partner Limited before 6 pm on August 31, 2010 to iba2010@ignitionpartner.com  

Entries received after this date and those sent by post, fax, courier or any other means will not be considered.

Free workshops

Mr Wilkie said another new feature this year would be free workshops for participants at the Stamford Plaza Hotel at 4 pm on May 12, June 16 and July 14.

“At each workshop, we will go over the entry form question by question, outlining the judges’ expectations for each and providing tips on how to complete the form within the required limit. Entrants will have an opportunity at the end of the workshop to network with other participants,” he said.

Mr Wilkie said entries to the Best Businesswoman of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards could be either by the entrants themselves or by nomination.

“The entry form details the procedures,” Mr Wilkie said.

Our Judges

Among the other members of the judging panel are Nevil Gibson, Editor-in-Chief, The National Business Review, Vijaya Vaidyanath, Chief Executive, Waitakere City Council, Adrian Dixon, Business Growth Manager, WHK, Steve Corbett, Chief Executive, e-Centre Ltd, Massey University, Tony Bacon, Sector and Partner Manager, Vodafone New Zealand, Tim Livingstone, Senior Partner, UHY Haines Norton, Chartered Accountants, Clair McGowan, Managing Director, Commercialisation Advisers Ltd, Chip Dawson, Managing Director, International Business Management Ltd and David Hawkins, Associate Professor, Unitec School of Design.

The panel of judges, independent of this newspaper, will decide on the finalists and winners, to be announced at a gala black tie dinner and Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held on November 15, 2010 at Stamford Plaza Hotel.

Further information can be obtained on (09) 5336377.

Email: editor@indiannewslink.co.nz

Our websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.co.nz