Recognition, the greatest reward for businesses

Members of the New Zealand Indian business community have an opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for their success at the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2010.

A number of entrants, who were neither finalists nor winners over the past two years have said that entering the Awards was not akin to appearing in an examination, where a candidate either passes or fails.

“We have not only learnt a lot in terms of writing business plans, drafting strategies and programmes but also enjoyed the process. Winning or losing does not enter the equation, since the experience gained was invaluable,” they said.

Businesses now believe that IBA has the ‘commendable objective’ of celebrating their achievements and encouraging them to register higher levels of growth, productivity and profitability.

“The Awards scheme does not purport to be a competition between companies; it is rather more like a health check and an opportunity to improve upon our performance.

“A company that does not qualify to be a finalist or a winner should not become diffident. In fact, they should feel motivated to try again,” an entrant said.

Doing business is like cycling, you fall off if you stop pedalling.

As we enter the third year of Awards, the feedback from participants, sponsors and others suggest that apart from encouraging businesses to showcase their performance, growth pattern and profitability, IBA enables businesses to discover their strengths and weaknesses and take appropriate action, excites staff and enhances their commitment, and creates team spirit within the organisation.

The fact that the entries are evaluated by a panel of judges with experience and expertise, totally independent of this newspaper reposes confidence among entrants, sponsors and the system itself.

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.

The Best Businesswoman of the Year and the Young Entrepreneur of the Year are new in our Awards scheme, launched this year, 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.

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

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.

Convenor of the Judging Panel Chad Wilkie said these workshops will be useful for many contestants, both for competing in the IBA and in their day-to-day activity.

“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.

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, Dr Claire McGowan, Managing Director, Commercialisation Advisers Ltd, Chip Dawson, Managing Director, International Business Management Ltd and David Hawkins, Associate Professor, Unitec School of Design.

Manish Tanna is Marketing Coordinator for IBA 2010.Email: manish@vmindurbiz.com

Further information can be obtained on (09) 5336377.

Email: editor@indiannewslink.co.nz

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