Frequently asked questions
Entrants for the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards frequently ask the following:
Why would I enter?
How long will it take me to enter?
How do I enter?
Is there some-one who can help me?
Do I receive feedback on my entry?
Does it cost me to enter?
How do I know if I'm eligible to enter?
Do I have to include detail of my businesses financial details?
How do I know that the information I provide won't get into the hands of my competitors or others?
Who reads my entry and decides if I am a finalist?
How many categores can I enter?
Can I re-enter if I was a winner last year?
What are the deadlines for entering the awards?
When do I find out if I won or not?
Why would I enter?
- Energise, motivate and build your team for the future
- Highlight your success to current and potential clients, suppliers and staff. Awards logos are available for marketing and promotion
- Add value to your strategic and business planning
- Receive an independent perspective of your strengths and improvement opportunities at no cost
- Benchmark your business against your competitors
How long will it take me to enter?
How long it takes you does depend on how easy it is for you to gather the information you need, but the best ones are usually succinct, we’re not looking for a large document, and too much supporting collateral. The process of entering is usually helpful for your business so the time you take to enter is never wasted. You do have two months to do the entry pack.
How do i enter?
Entering is easy. You simply:
- We send you an entry pack
- You fill out the entry pack answering the questions, keeping the answers concise and succinct
- You send us the four copies of your entry pack – which include all the information necessary for the judges to gain an immediate impression of your business. This includes a Business Profile which can be used as a media statement, seven questions and the financial template
is there some-one who can help me?
Absolutely. We are delighted to offer the mentoring services of Results.com, who will work with you to determine:
- Which category you should enter
- What information you need to enter
- Whether your entry can be improved
Do I receive feedback on my entry?
Yes, every entrant receives the judges feedback. We consider this very important and ask that the judges write reasonably comprehensive feedback.
Does it cost me to enter?
No, any company based and trading in the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty rateable region can enter free of charge.
How do I know if I'm eligible to enter?
If your business pays rates to Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty rateable region you are eligible to enter the Awards. Excluded are those businesses or organisations owned by officers or employees of the category sponsor cannot enter the same category of the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards.
Entrants in the Business Growth category must have been trading for a minimum three years at 30 June 2010. Entrants in the Emerging Business category which have been in operation for more than one year and less than three years at 30 June 2010.
Do I have to include detail of my businesses financial details?
You do need to include some numbers to show that your business is sound and or growing. There is a template to fill out that is reasonably simple and only shows financial health, it is not detailed. You may, for example, provide graphs showing revenues over the past few years (or months if you are a start-up). However, you will need to have your accounts ready to show the judges your finances when they visit.
How do i know that the information I provide won't get into the hands of my competitors or others?
The entries are only seen by:
- The co-ordinator of the Awards
- Your mentor (if you choose to share it with them)
- The Head Judge, Financial Assessor and the two category judges
All of the people in these roles are ethical professionals and have also signed a confidentiality agreement.
Who reads my entry and decides if I am a finalist?
Every entry in each category is read by the two category judges. The finalists' entries could be read and considered by all judges.
How many categories can I enter?
Each business must enter in 1 category in the Business Excellence section, and can put themselves forward into the Best Practice categories. However, every entrant is eligible for the Best Practice categories. Judges can nominate businesses into these categories. Judges have the right to change entrants into whichever category they consider better suited to the entrant. Entrants will be notified by the co-ordinator prior to their being changed.
Can I re-enter if I was a winner last year?
Absolutely, and often the Westpac Business of the Year has been a previous winner.
What are the deadlines for entering the awards?
The award entry must be submitted by 5pm on 5 August 2011 to the Chamber of Commerce. You have two months to complete the entry.
When do I find out if I won or not?
The finalists will not be announced before the Awards Gala dinner. All winners are announced at the black tie Gala dinner at the Tect Arena on Friday 4 November 2011.