Award Categories
Retail Excellence – Recognises the successes and achievements of a business selling goods direct to the end user, or any business whose principal activity is in retail.
Manufacturing and/or Distribution – Recognises any business in the manufacturing, construction sectors and/or logistics of goods including food, regionally, nationally or internationally.
Tourism/Hospitality – Recognises any business in the tourism or hospitality sector.
Social Enterprise – Recognises management excellence in an organisation outside the private sector, which includes “not for profit”, schools and local government.
ACC Workplace Safety – Recognises a business that demonstrates excellence in workplace health and safety practices and that has successfully integrated these into its operations. A positive safety culture exists at all levels within the business.
Business Innovation – Recognises a business that demonstrates creative, entrepreneurial or innovative process, product, or service that has enhanced the businesses success.
Westpac Business of the Year – All businesses in the awards are eligible for this category.
Service – Recognises any business that delivers service including the professional sector.
Customer Service – Recognises a business that succeeds through showing consistent dedication to outstanding service and demonstrates its commitment through its service policy, staff training and/or other specific means.
Digital Innovation – Recognises the achievement of digital innovation in or for business through the use of a new digital tool.
Corporate Leadership – Recognises a significant company for their outstanding contribution to the region’s economy.
Judging Process
Judges are carefully selected for their business skill and knowledge. Any conflicts of interest are established at the beginning of the process. The judging process for the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards will proceed in three stages.
The first stage is the initial assessment of the entry by the Head Judge, Financial Judge and Awards Co-ordinator. If at this stage the judges have concerns including the financial position of the business, the entry will not proceed through to stage two. The judges concerns will be represented in their feedback to the entrant. If all is in order the entry is then allocated to a team of two category judges.
In stage two businesses will be visited by the judges, who at the site visit will drill down in more detail on the entry and gain an over all impression of the business. This interview will take up to two hours.
There may be a third stage where the judges may return for a second site visit or a specialist judge may visit. At this point there will be further scrutiny to financials, staff and any further detailed information. Judges may request customers or suppliers information to gain feedback, and may ask to involve staff.
The team of two judges assess all businesses in the same category hence like for like. There will be specialist judges in the best practice categories. The entire judging panel consider the finalists and have input into the Westpac Tauranga Business of the Year award.
TIMELINE
| Key date | What’s On |
|---|---|
| Thursday 28 July | Westpac Tauranga Business Awards Launch |
| Thursday 18 August | Entrants Workshop (with The FireStation) |
| Thursday 1 September | Entrants Workshop (with The FireStation) |
| Friday 9 September | Entries Close |
| Tuesday 13 September | Judging begins |
| Friday 14 October | Gala Dinner & Awards Night |