Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Small New Zealand business turns up the heat
Small New Zealand business turns up the heat
A small Christchurch business which installs heat pumps is this year’s Supreme Winner in The David Awards: heroes in small business.
Heat Pumps NOW not only won the Supreme Award, but also took out the Most Outstanding Fledgling Business category and the Most Community-Minded Business categories.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Pam Martin calls Heat Pumps NOW “a true David business”. “Heat Pumps Now began with a vision to make a difference for people in Christchurch who needed heating,” she says. “They provide a personal and reliable service to residents worn out from fighting to be heard by large organisations. Their excellent customer service has ensured their growth through word of mouth and referrals. They also contribute to their community in practical and measureable ways. They are succeeding where larger companies in their area have failed.”
“To be a finalist was an honour in and of itself,” says Heat Pumps NOW Director Blair Ashdowne. “To win Most Outstanding Fledgling Business and Most Community-Minded Business is so humbling. To win the Supreme Award as well… I’m almost at a loss for words.”
Blair recommends going through the award process. “Just entering The David Awards was an opportunity to reflect on what our team has done in our short time as a company, and celebrate many small achievements where we have helped people,” he adds. “It’s brought our team closer together and reminded me personally why I started this business.”
For the past eight years, The David Awards have been recognising the unsung heroes in home and small businesses throughout New Zealand – the Kiwi Davids taking on the Goliaths of the New Zealand business landscape.
For more information see www.thedavidawards.co.nz .
The David Awards winners for 2015 are:
SUPREME WINNER 2015:
Most outstanding fledgling
business
A young or start-up business which
is under two years old. The owner will be passionate about
their business, and the business itself will be smart,
quirky, or just very professionally set
up.
Winner:
Finalists:
Most
outstanding established business
A business
which has moved beyond the start-up phase and is two or more
years old, which has a proven track record and some or all
of the plans/people/systems/processes in place to make a
long-term or well-above-average future a reality. This Award
seeks to recognise a business planning for and/or coping
with the changes required to take a business through
expansion and significant growth, or which has achieved a
level of security and maturity. This business will be able
to demonstrate proven financial
success.
Winner:
Finalists:
Most outstanding triumph over
adversity
A business which has succeeded in
spite of challenges beyond the usual. This may be due to due
to personal issues the owner has had to deal with,
circumstances beyond their control, or unexpected
setbacks.
Winner:
Look After Me Ltd - Accommodation on-line
Finalists:
Adaptive Technology Solutions Ltd
OKU - NZ Native Herbal Products Ltd
Most outstanding
lifestyle business
A business which
epitomises the ability to integrate business and lifestyle,
with the owner(s) taking advantage of its flexibility to fit
income generation around spending time on family or leisure
activities or other pursuits. While lifestyle is an
important judging criterion, this business must still
demonstrate its economic viability.
Winner:
Finalists:
The
NZBusiness Most innovative business
This is
a business which demonstrates a new or clever way of going
about things, or which is conceptually innovative, or a
business which develops and harnesses technology to help it
punch above its weight. A new product or service developed
by the business owner may be the prime focus of an entry in
this category, or something like enhanced mobility or
efficiency gained through bespoke software development or
the entry may revolve around a new or different use for
existing technology. This category also suits and entry
which demonstrates the inspired use of readily-available
technology at a level above and beyond what most other
businesses in their field are doing.
Joint Winners:
Finalists:
The .nz Most inspired use of marketing
A business which punches above its weight in terms of getting the word out, achieving profile and attracting business. Typically, this Award recognises a business which knows how to find potential customers using a variety of media effectively and which understands how to communicate with members of its target audience and get them to take the next step towards a purchase.
Winner:
The judges have chosen not to name any winner in this category this year.
Highly Commended:
The Bizbuzz Most community-minded business
A business which gives back to its community, e.g. local, regional or industry sector, in ways, shapes or forms which benefit the community significantly. This Award is intended to highlight a business where the community involvement is not what the business is about, but part of how it goes about doing whatever its core business is. Businesses whose main objective is to benefit the community should consider entering other categories, and if they enter this one, will need to clarify what part of what they do is not their core business in order to meet the criteria for this Award.
Winner:
Finalists:
The Solo Meo Award
This Award celebrates a solo business owner
who runs their business single-handedly. It recognises
all-round business excellence, from concept through to
execution. Entrants in this category must be sole owners of
their business, and cannot employ anyone else in a
dedicated, ongoing capacity for over 10 hours a week (e.g.
virtual assistant, sales rep) but can employ others to
undertake specific tasks for the business from time to time
(e.g. an accountant, web designer, copywriter or product
demonstrators). Distributor-type relationships are excluded
provided they work from independent
premises.
Winner:
Finalists:
Look After Me Ltd - Accommodation on-line
The People's Choice Award
This category is based on votes. All
entries in this category submit a publicly-available
profile. Businesses entering this Award will be provided
with banners and links, and encouraged to persuade
customers, staff, colleagues, family, friends and others to
vote for them. This category is intended to be a bit of fun,
and to provide a way for businesses to draw attention to
themselves, their brand and their product, and to leverage
their networks.
Winner:
ENDS
John Mazenier: Gaffer Tape And Glue Delivering New Zealand’s Mission Critical Services
Earthquake Commission: Ivan Skinner Award Winner Inspired By Real-life Earthquake Experience
Reserve Bank: Consultation Opens On A Digital Currency For New Zealand
NIWA: Ship Anchors May Cause Extensive And Long-lasting Damage To The Seafloor, According To New Research
New Zealand Customs Service: A Step Forward For Simpler Trade Between New Zealand And Singapore
Horizon Research: 68% Say Make Banks Offer Fraud Protection
