Entries are now open for the 2023 Northland Business Excellence Awards, and a challenge is going out from the Awards two principal sponsors, encouraging businesses across Tai Tokerau to give the Awards a go.
The call to action comes from Northlands two electricity lines companies, Top Energy and Northpower, who are principal sponsors for the third-year and keen to see local business being celebrated for their achievements.
Northpower Chief Executive Andrew McLeod says “Developing principals of business excellence can only be good for the region, and the Awards process is the ideal platform, people can look into their business performance, see how they have progressed and look for areas of innovation.”
His point is backed by Top Energy Chief Executive Russell Shaw who says, “We want to facilitate strengthening our business community and we see sponsoring the awards as a way to help make that happen.”
Both men agree that Northlanders have come together and supported each other extremely well through some tough times in the last few years and believe the Awards gives a much-needed opportunity to gather as business owners, leaders and their teams to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of those doing excellent work.
The Northland Business Excellence Awards are the iconic Awards event in Northlands annual business calendar. 2023 will be the 44th year that local businesses big and small can get involved by entering across a range of Business and Specialist categories that culminate in one local business being named Northland Business Excellence Awards Supreme Winner.
The entry process is well supported by the NorthChamber team, with a dedicated Awards Support Lead and two Awards Coaches from Business Coaching New Zealand to support entrants. By getting in early with an expression of interest there is a good amount of time to complete entries, access support from an Awards Coaching Clinic and submit the best possible entry.
NorthChamber Acting CEO Paulette Scrooby says “every year we hear from participants that this process adds value to the business, it is time well spent. Best of all we get the chance to spotlight businesses doing outstanding work and then celebrate them.”
Local Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) Northland Manager Michael Turner is proud of his organisations involvement with the Awards and says, “EMA came on board as co-presenting sponsors with NorthChamber last year. We saw how the principles of Business Excellence aligned with our organisational values and aspirations for EMA members, we encourage them to get involved and make the most of the opportunity.”
There is much to gain from taking part in the Business Awards including a chance to evaluate where a business is at and receive free independent feedback. The Awards can energise, motivate and build your team for the future and offers multiple marketing and networking opportunities alongside the prizes and accolades that come with being a winner.
From when entries open in April through to the big celebratory Awards night on November 3 the entire process is a team community effort. Every category is sponsored by a local business, often themselves past winners and participants in the Awards. The sponsors give their support because they are passionate about growing Northlands business capability and building a strong resilient network of businesses across Tai Tokerau.
Best Emerging Business Category sponsor Allan Gray from Wynn Fraser Paints views this sponsorship as giving back, “by supporting the Awards we directly impact the ongoing success and viability of each business who takes part. We all win when we reward and support success by building capability in our business community. Meeting the entrants and getting to learn about their business, and helping where we can, is a mutually beneficial activity. “
Category Sponsors for 2023 include the following businesses, ACC, Creative Northland, EMA, Marsden Maritime Holdings, Ministry of Social Development, More FM, NDSL – Ricoh, Northland Inc., Northland Regional Council, One NZ, Te Mana Oranga, The Northern Advocate, WRMK and Wynn Fraser.
Media sponsors: MediaWorks and NZME.
To find out more about entering the Awards visit www.northlandbusinessawards.co.nz.
