LEADER COLUMN MAY 2013

Preparation for this year’s Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards is now well underway and businesses can register their expressions of interest to be part of this event. It is free to enter and is open to any Northland businesses not just those who belong to the Chamber of Commerce. Many of Northland’s prominent business people past and present have played an active role in shaping the region through both their commercial enterprises and through their civic activities. The Awards provides an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and business excellence and the role it plays in our community. Through business, countless individuals can apply their talents to achieve their own aspirations and provide service for others. If we can celebrate and respect these people, and foster a better understanding of the contribution business makes to the wider community, then this will go a long way to inspiring more young people pursue their own aspirations. Success cannot be measured without a business first having set clear goals. In many cases these are closely aligned to the personal aspirations of the people and families who own these businesses. Unlike in the marketplace, the Awards businesses are not so much about competing against other entrants but measuring yourself against a business excellence framework. An entrant’s performance is evaluated against a number of key criteria, the business’s vision and its strategic plan. To assist potential entrants understand the evaluation process we will run a series of workshops on what is required from businesses when completing their entry form. Following these workshops, the Chamber along with their sponsor Business Coaching NZ will also be in a position to provide additional tutoring to entrants if required. All entrants receive feedback from the judging panel focused on identifying areas of their business that may benefit from being revisited and improved. The Awards are important business development opportunity which compels business owners to examine how their business works. In completing the process a business owner will have critically reviewed how they plan and lead their business, how they respond to their market and their workforce and how they record and modify their responses to an ever-changing environment. New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Northland will everything it can to assist businesses in the entry process. If anyone wishes to know more about the Awards or the changes we are making this year please feel free to contact our office at info@northchamber.co.nz.