Innovative small and medium-sized businesses that are driving the nation forward have the opportunity to be recognised in a new awards program run by Telstra.
The Telstra Best of Business Awards will celebrate SMBs contributing to solving the major issues of our country while inspiring other SMBs to do the same.
The program will consist of eight categories with no limit on how many awards a business can be up for. Eligible businesses will contain no more than 200 employees and can either nominate themselves or be nominated for an award.
An-annually changing category
An-annually changing category, ‘Progressing Australia,’ will be a central feature of the new awards program. This section will have a different topic every year and has been designed to recognise the businesses most proactively solving our country’s issues. Australians will influence the choice of topic by identifying the most critical matters of our country in research conducted by Telstra.
The 2021 focus
The 2021 focus is Local Leadership. This decision comes from research showing that 96 per cent of consumers recognise small businesses as an essential part of the community. Nominations are open to businesses that are making outstanding contributions by laying the foundations for a thriving community. An entry into at least one other category is required to be in the running for this award.
Diversity and inclusion
The awards aim to give everyone an equal chance for recognition. The Indigenous Excellence award and Accelerating Women award reflect Telstra’s efforts to make the program as fair and inclusive as possible.
Telstra Consumer and Small Business Group Executive Michael Ackland said, “We are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion and ensuring all business owners from a cross-section of industries, sizes, categories, and locations can enter and are judged fairly. We want to give everyone across Australia the opportunity to be on the main stage.”
Click here for more on the award categories.
Recognition for contribution to Australia
“We know the past year has been challenging for everyone, particularly small to medium-sized businesses. We hope by creating this new program, we will lead a national conversation and shine a light on businesses that are making a meaningful contribution to Australia and provide them with the recognition they deserve,” said Mr. Ackland.
Telstra Best of Business Awards categories
Building Communities
For businesses working to make a positive impact on culture and society so people from all walks of life can thrive as part of a supportive community.
Championing Health
For businesses focused on innovative solutions, improving health outcomes for every Australian.
Embracing Innovation
For businesses innovating with technology to develop solutions for challenges faced by modern Australia.
Promoting Sustainability
For businesses reducing their environmental impact by driving sustainable change within their industry for a cleaner and healthier planet.
Outstanding Growth
For businesses achieving significant growth and contributing to building a more resilient Australian economy.
Accelerating Women
For businesses actively challenging exclusion and inequality to create meaningful and lasting equity for women.
Indigenous Excellence
For Indigenous-led, owned and operated businesses succeeding through entrepreneurialism, innovation and inspiring the next generation of all Australians.
Progressing Australia
For businesses tackling important issues affecting Australia. Each year the committee will set the theme for the Award in line with the national agenda. Note: Businesses must enter one of the above seven core categories to opt into the Progressing Australia category.
The 2021 topic is: Local Leadership
A category for businesses who are future-focused in their role of building a thriving community of the future. The category champions SMBs who have demonstrated strong leadership in their community by advocating for the skilling and reskilling of the future to sustainably drive economic growth and social cohesion at the local level.
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