The Telstra Business Awards program was introduced in 1992 to recognise and celebrate the achievements and enterprising spirit of small-to-medium sized businesses across Australia. Nominations for the 2009 Telstra Business Award are now open.
Nominations for the 2009 Telstra Business Awards opened on 2 March and now is the time for your business to begin the journey towards gaining recognition for your achievements and successes.
Deena Shiff, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, says that for most businesses, the prospect of winning an award in Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious awards for SMEs is hugely exciting. “What might surprise you is that what most of the winners look back on as being the best part of the awards process is actually the entry and nomination process. On first appearances, filling out the form can look a little daunting, but those who complete the entry tell us year after year that it really helps them focus on where their business is going and where they want to take it in the future.”
The Telstra Business Awards program recognises and celebrates the achievements and enterprising spirit of SMEs across Australia and knows that the business journey is just as important as the destination. Companies with between one and 200 employees are invited to enter and be in the running for up to $400,000 in cash and prizes.
New South Wales-based Machinery Automation and Robotics (MAR) was named the 2008 Telstra Australian Business of the Year. Established in 1987 as a leading designer and manufacturer of complete industrial automation solutions, MAR provides a competitive edge through high-tech automation and robotics for both small and large production-critical companies. Recently, development of proprietary technologies has enabled MAR’s clients to compete in a global market.
Cylde Campbell, CEO of MAR, says: “Entering the Telstra Business Awards has been an extremely worthwhile experience, both from a business perspective and from a team development perspective. Completing the entry encouraged us to revisit all areas of the business, while the input and questioning from the judges further challenged our thinking.
“To have our team involved with the process and to be present on the night proved to be invaluable, while to win was an amazing bonus; something that we were optimistic about but not over confident given the amazing scope and abilities of the other competitors. Since winning, the level of interest in MAR from a PR perspective has been overwhelming and way beyond what we could have hoped for, while the feedback and congratulations from our customers continue to flow in.”
He adds: “I believe that the Telstra Business Awards are the most prestigious award that we could possibly win and there is no doubt the benefits to MAR will be far reaching.”
NOMINATE NOW!
Telstra wants to hear your story. Nominate your business or a business you know for the 2009 Telstra Business Awards.
Nominate now at www.telstrabusinessawards.com or call 1800 262 323.
Nominations opened on 2 March, with entries closing on 17 April 2009.
Who is eligible?
Businesses will be eligible to enter the 2009 Telstra Business Awards providing ALL the following criteria are met:
The nominated business must:
- Reside in Australia;
- Have been operating in Australia for at least 36 months as at 17 April 2009; and
- Be more than 60 percent Australian-owned with the owner/s responsible for making the key management decisions.
The nominated business must not:
- Have entered the same category in the 2008 Telstra Business Awards. (A business may, however, enter a different category in 2009 to that in which they entered in 2008).
- Have more than 200 full time equivalent (FTE) staff as at the close of entries date, 17 April 2009;
- Be a listed company, a franchisee, franchisor, a club, co-operative or non-profit organisation;
- Be more than 50 percent owned by another business;
- Be either: (i) a recipient of significant ongoing Government funding (i.e. the business is reliant upon the funding for operation); or (ii) a Government agency;
- Contain employees who have been involved in the judging of the Awards program in 2007 or 2008; or
- Be a contracted commercial supplier to the 2009 Telstra Business Awards.
2009 Categories
In 2009, there are five award categories. Businesses will enter one of the following three qualifying categories, based on the size of their business:
- News Limited Micro-Business Award For businesses with five employees or fewer.
- MYOB Small Business Award For businesses with more than five employees, but less than or equal to 20 employees.
- Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award For businesses with more than 20 employees, but less than or equal to 200 employees.
All entrants will also be considered for the following two specialist awards:
- AMP Innovation Award For businesses that have successfully introduced an innovation.
- Social Responsibility Award For demonstrated leadership and contribution by a business to the environment, people, education or the community.
2008 National Winners
Machinery Automation & Robotics, Silverwater, New South Wales
2008 Telstra Australian Business of the Year
Find A Babysitter.com.au, Brighton, Victoria
2008 National Winner of the Micro-Business Award
Bruny Island Charters & Tasman Island Cruises, Adventure Bay, Tasmania
2008 National Winner of the MYOB Small Business Award
2008 National Winner of the Sensis Social Responsibility Award
Atlantic Group (v), Docklands, Victoria
2008 National Winner of the Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award
Centor Architectural, Eagle Farm, Queensland
2008 National Winner of the AMP Innovation Award
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