Last weeks for companies to enter awards

Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards Media Release

8 June 2007 - For immediate release

Last weeks for companies to enter awards

Manukau companies have until 5pm on Friday 22 June to submit their entries for the 2007 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards. The city’s leaders are encouraging companies big and small to enter:

“The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are the most prestigious in the country,” says Mayor of Manukau Sir Barry Curtis.

He explains that this is largely due to the detailed entry procedure, meaning that only businesses with a very professional approach to running their business become finalists. Also contributing to the Awards’ status is the fact that Manukau is home to more than 22,000 companies, including many that are performing well on both the national and international stages.

“For companies that want to succeed in the future, entering a business awards programme provides a structure to assist with business planning and analysis”, says Bruce McLauchlan, General Manager of Business Banking at Westpac New Zealand.

“We find that the most successful businesses are those that are the most strategic, paying close attention to all aspects of their operation,” he says. “The Awards encourage a forward thinking, detailed approach to business planning and management.”

Gaelle Deighton, Chief Executive of the city’s economic development agency, Enterprising Manukau, which also organises the Awards, agrees:

“The Awards are about what you do and how you do it,” she says. “We ask you to complete an entry document which looks at your vision, processes and strategies, and business results. This allows our judging panel to examine how well you run your company. What industry it is in, or how big or small doesn’t matter.”

Deighton says that with categories designed specifically for new and emerging businesses, even very small companies have the opportunity to excel.

She says that the entry process usually takes between one and two days for entrants, although some spend more time on it, and others less.

Previous winners report that winning a category gives them extensive media publicity, rewards staff for their efforts, and provides credibility with customers and suppliers. These companies include Styrobeck Plastics Limited, Kiwi Discovery, Villa Maria Estate, Epic Packaging and Rayglass Boats.

Other entry categories include employer of choice, exporting and tourism, small business, manufacturing, innovation, customer service, emerging business, workplace safety, and community contribution.

Staff from Enterprising Manukau are available to assist businesses with their entries, and experience writers are available to help with entry preparation. Entries close on 22 June, with finalists announced at a special cocktail function on 19 July.

Business managers and owners interested in entering the Awards should visit www.bizawards.co.nz or contact Enterprising Manukau on 09 262 2244.

The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards are delivered by Enterprising Manukau on behalf of Manukau City Council and have been a firm fixture on Manukau’s business calendar for 15 years.

(ends)

© Scoop Media