More Chances to Shine At 2013 Business Awards

More Chances to Shine At 2013 Business Awards
 
The 2013 West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards will include more award categories and a streamlined entry process, making it easier for small and medium sized businesses to enter and win.
 
A new innovation award will also give the local business community an opportunity to nominate a business or individuals they believe have made a significant difference to the West Coast business scene.
 
DWC CEO John Chang says the changes have come about as a result of feedback from a survey DWC ran after last year’s awards.
 
“There was a perception that it was unfair that smaller businesses were competing with large organisations so we now have separate categories for small and large businesses.  We didn’t want smaller businesses to give up before they even start the entry process,” he says.
 
“Overall the feedback is that the business community is strongly supportive of the awards and really enjoy the gala evening at Shantytown.  This is shown by the excellent level of corporate sponsorship the event attracts,” says Dr Chang.
 
The changes will mean small and medium sized businesses will have separate categories and businesses with more than 30 employees will be eligible to enter a new enterprise award.  There will also be a new rising star award and all businesses will be eligible to enter the health and safety category.
 
Dr Chang says he is very excited about the new Leading Light Innovation Award.  “We are looking to reward an individual, group or business that has done something out of the ordinary which has made a big impact on a business.  Entrants can be nominated by their colleagues, managers or governance board so please get your nominations to us,” he says. 

Event Manager Karen Mercer says this year the awards entry process has been streamlined.
 
“We want to encourage as many businesses as possible to enter.  As well as making the entry forms simpler, DWC staff will be available to offer advice about your entry and we’ll run seminars in each region during May or June to offer advice to businesses considering entering,” she says.
 
Businesses that make the finals get excellent publicity and a free video on their business while winners enjoy additional marketing spin-offs.  Victoria Boyes from Greymouth New World won the 2012 PWC Retail Award and says she would encourage every business to enter.
 
“The most overwhelming thing for us was how proud and thrilled the community was that we had won. The journey of entering and analysing your business is an asset in itself and an exercise everyone should do,” she says.
 
Entry forms will be available on www.leadinglight.org.nz with entries opening on 4 June and closing on 26 July 2013.  As an extra incentive all entries that are received by 10 July will go in the draw to win a fabulous travel prize.  The gala dinner to announce the winners will be held at Shantytown on 11 October 2013.
 
 
ENDS

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