2016 Singleton Outstanding
Business Awards
Entry Information
Celebrating and recognising business excellence!
Enter the Singleton Outstanding Business Awards at:
www.singletonchamber.org.au
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
Our annual Outstanding Business Awards – themed “Shaping The Future”, will be launching on Feb 5th 2016 with the
Gala presentation night to be held at the Singleton Civic Centre on Friday 29th of April 2016.
Dates:
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Entries close 25th March 2016
Judging will take place in the following 2 weeks
RSVP’s for the Awards Night will close on the 25th April 2016
2016 Awards Night will be held on the 29th of April 2016 at the Singleton Civic Centre
Dinner:
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Friday 29th of April, 6.30 start
Singleton Civic Centre, cocktail wear, dinner and drinks
Speaker – Sebastian Terry – Founder of 100things.com.au
Tickets $100 https://www.stickytickets.com.au/34384
How to Enter:
All entries are to be submitted online via the Singleton Chamber website http://www.singletonchamber.org.au/
Note all entries, will have a 2 step process:
1. Company & Contact details – please ensure you state your business display name (this is what you will be
referred as in any publications/website etc
2. Choose Categories, answer Category Questions. You can enter as many categories as you like
Both of these sections must be completed for a valid entry. You must complete all questions in the category for a
valid entry. Note the weightings supplied will assist you in which questions have the highest importance. Word count
is a guide only, but please take note of the maximum number of words
You can save your application and come back to it at a later date, however it may be easier to prepare your
application in word and then copy & paste into the online application
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by your company logo in jpg or similar, a photo that represents your business
– can be the building, your staff, services or products.
Please call the Chamber on 0400 460 412 for any assistance, or email info@singletonchamber.org.au
Closing Date is Mar 25th 2016, 5pm
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
IMPORTANT NOTES, Terms and Conditions:
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Any business operating in the Singleton Local Government area is eligible to enter
While you do not have to be a Singleton Business Chamber Member to enter, it is expected that you will join in order to
progress to Regional and State Awards if you are a winner
Business’ must have been operating for at least 12 months and provide a valid ABN. Note that to progress through to
NSW Awards a Business must have been operating for minimum 2 years at time of entry.
PUBLICITY - Entrants must be willing to participate in Awards related publicity organised by Singleton Chamber. As this
may involve contact from some of our media partners, you agree to this contact.(This does not oblige you to advertise)
JUDGING is by a panel of independent, leading business and community representatives and they will be looking for
evidence of enthusiasm and dedication to excellence, outstanding achievement and initiative or innovation. There may
or may not be a visit to your business by one of the judges. Judges may or may not make themselves known to you
during their visit. Either an appointment will be made or judging will be done by the “secret shopper” method. They will
be observing various aspects of your business such as customer service, presentation and safety issues. The decision of
the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into
In Confidence - All commercially sensitive information supplied in your application will be treated in confidence
Categories and Questions for Singleton Chamber of Commerce & Industry Awards
By partnering with NSW Chamber, we have adopted their process and all entries must be completed online. This
document is to assist you in preparing your information for the online form, which is the method of entry. You will
need to either enter your NSW Business Chamber email & Password (Chamber Members only) or register as a new
user with your email address and password to start the process. You can then save your work as you go and come
back to it later. All entries must complete the business & contact details at the start and then choose one or more
categories that you wish to enter.
Part 1. Business & Contact Details – you will be required to fill in the following information
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Business Trading Name
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Business Display Name – this is how we will refer to your business name in any marketing or promotions – for example,
if you become a finalist it is how we will list your company name on the website, email marketing, finalist certificates
and slides on the night etc.
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ABN
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Date Established
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Annual Turnover (Choose from revenue ranges/bands)
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Number of Full time employees
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Entry Contact First Name
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Entry Contact Last Name
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Entry Contact Phone Number
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Entry Contact Email
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Entry Contact Job Title
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
Part 2. Categories: winners have opportunity to move through to State Awards (except last 4 categories)
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Young Business Executive (Age 18-35)
Business Leader (Age 36+)
Employer of Choice
Excellence in Business<20FTE employees
Excellence in Business>20FTE employees
Excellence in Innovation
Excellence in Not For Profit Organisation – Singleton category only
Excellence in Customer Service < 20 FTE employees – Singleton & Hunter category only
Owner/operator business excellence (less than 5 FTE employees) – Singleton category only
Employee of Year – Singleton category only
Entrants will also be required to accept the Terms and Conditions of entry in this section.
CATEGORY QUESTIONS
Young Business Executive (Age 18-35)
The Young Business Executive award recognises an inspirational young professional aged between 18-35 years who has built a
successful career with an organisation.
Questions:
Are you entering on behalf of another individual (YES/NO)? If NO proceed to question 1.
If YES do you have their permission to enter on their behalf (tick box).
1. Entrants name.
2.
Entrant's date of birth.
3.
Entrant's current job title.
4.
Name of organisation the entrant works for.
5.
Provide a current profile including current job role and scope of responsibilities Word count: Max 400
6.
What is your employment background? Word count: Max 400
7.
Provide an overview of your 5 year goals/milestones and how you are working towards these. Word count: Max 250
8.
Detail your measurable career achievements. Word count: Max 400
9.
Describe the key challenges you have faced as a young business professional and how you deal with these challenges.
Word count: Max 400
10. What do you believe makes you a good leader? Word count: Max 400
Additional T&C’s
In addition to the general T&C’s the following apply to this category:- If you are applying on behalf of someone else you must have their permission to enter this award category.
- Entrant must be employed by the organisation for a period of 2 years at the time of entry submission.
- Should the entrant leave the organisation before the Singleton, Regional or State Gala event, their entry is ineligible.
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
- The Finalist complimentary ticket is non transferrable in this category at regional or state level.
- NSW Business Chamber State and Regional Councillors are ineligible to enter into this category.
- NSW Business Chamber Business Award program judges are ineligible to enter into this category for the current year and the
consecutive year following the year in which they judged
Business Leader (Age 36+)
The Business Leader award recognises the positive contribution made to business by business people and professionals. The
award recognises those who demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas,
whilst providing inspiration to a new generation of upcoming business leaders
Questions:
Are you entering on behalf of another individual (YES/NO)? If NO proceed to question 1.
If YES do you have their permission to enter on their behalf? (tick box)
1. Name of entrant.
2.
Entrant's date of birth.
3.
Entrant's current job title.
4.
Name of organisation.
5.
Provide a current profile of yourself including your title, current business role, scope of responsibilities. Word count:
Maximum 400
6.
Why do you believe you should be considered as a business leader? Word count: Maximum 400
7.
Provide an overview of your 5 year goals /milestones. Word count: Maximum 400
8.
Detail your achievements in business in the previous 5 years. Word count: Maximum 450
9.
Describe the key challenges you have faced as a business leader in the past 5 years and how you overcame them. Word
count: Maximum 450
10. Demonstrate how you have helped the community (and or the business community) overcome social or environmental
problems. Word count: Maximum 400
Additional T&Cs
In addition to the general T&C’s the following apply to this category:- If you are applying on behalf of someone else you must have their permission to enter this award category.
- NSW Business Chamber State and Regional Councillors are ineligible to enter into this category.
- NSW Business Chamber Business Award program judges are ineligible to enter into this category the current year and
consecutive year following the year in which they judged.
- Tick box that you have read and accepted these category T&C’s
Small Business<20FTE employees
This award recognises a company (employing less than 20 employees) that has attained significant growth and is able to
demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth in the previous 24 months
Questions:
1. Please describe your business growth in the previous 24 months (weighting 10%) Word count: Maximum 400
2. Explain the strategies and plans to achieve your business growth over the previous 24 months? (weighting 17%) Word
count: Maximum 450
3. How did you implement these strategies? (weighting 33%) Word count: Maximum 400
4. What results did you achieve this year and how are they demonstrated? (Weighting 40%)
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
5.
Detail the measurable results you achieved both financial and non-financial and how these demonstrate “excellence”.
Word count: Maximum 500
Excellence in Business>20FTE employees*
The Excellence in Business award recognises a business that has attained significant growth and is able to demonstrate the
specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth over the previous 24 months.
*This includes all employees on payroll in Australia such as contractors, casual and labour hire staff.
Questions:
1. Explain your business growth in the previous 24 months. Word count: Maximum 400
2.
Explain the strategies and plans to achieve your business growth over the previous 24 months. Word count: Maximum
450
3.
4.
How did you implement these strategies? Word count: Maximum 400
Detail the measurable results you achieved, both financial and non-financial, and how these demonstrate “excellence”.
Word count: Maximum 500
Employer of Choice
The Employer of Choice award recognises organisations that put in place strategies and initiatives to create stimulating and
supportive workplace environments for their employees. These strategies or initiatives must have a positive impact on both
employees and the organisation as a whole.
Questions:
1. Number of full time employees, including all employees on payroll in Australia(context only not scored)
2. Explain any specific HR and WHS programs and policies you have undertaken in the previous 24 months Word count:
maximum 400
3. Why did your business embark on this project/s and/or initiatives? Word count: maximum 350
4. What measurable results have been achieved and how have they positively contributed to workplace productivity and
employee satisfaction? (i.e reduction in voluntary staff turnover, absenteeism, training and development hours,
employee satisfaction measures) Word count: maximum 450
5. Identify and describe the benefits you offer as an Employer of Choice? Word Count maximum 400
Excellence in Innovation
This Award recognises a business that has made significant contributions to their industry through the introduction or
improvement of an idea, method, technology, process or application.
Questions:
1. Is this a new innovation or an innovative approach to an existing practice or problem? Please explain. Word count:
Maximum 400
2. Explain how your business monitors and reacts to changes in the market including how your business acquires an
understanding of emerging customer needs and market developments. Word count: Maximum 450
3. Provide evidence of how your business is innovative, with specific examples over the previous 24 months including cost
effectiveness, integration and risk minimization. Word count: Maximum 500
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
4.
5.
6.
7.
Provide details of the commercialisation, adoption or take up of the innovation and its sustainability over time. Word
count: Maximum 500
Provide measurable evidence of how innovative activity in your business in the previous 12 - 24 months has helped
grow or improve your business. Word count: Maximum 400
Demonstrate the extent to which your business innovation has or is likely to have a positive impact beyond your
business (i.e. to your industry, to the community). Word count: Maximum 400
How are these improvements or impacts to the business measured? Word Count: Maximum 400
Customer Service
Recognises a business that is able to demonstrate specific strategies and outcomes of a targeted approach to customer service
and how that culture is carried through the entire business.
Questions:
1. Outline the business and customer service programs/policies that are in place. For example, what makes customer
service excellence? Word count: Max 200 6.67% weighting
2. Describe how the staff culture was developed and implemented so as to achieve the customer service satisfaction
outcomes desired. Word count: Max 200 20% weighting
3. Outline what, where and how challenges faced in developing these results were achieved. Word count: Max 200 26.67%
weighting
4. Please demonstrate why your customer service programs have produced outstanding results. How did the
products/services meet the needs of the customers? Word count: Max 200 33.33% weighting
5. Outline the commercial achievements that were gained by focus on customer service (eg business growth). Word count:
Max 200 13.33% weighting
Excellence in Not for Profit Organisation:
This award recognises organisations with excellent management practises and exemplary achievements improving our lives and
community.
Questions:
1. Please describe the key services your organisation supplies?
2. Describe the way your organisation is governed?
3. How do you deal with such things as complaints, purchases, staffing etc. What systems do you use to ensure
consistency?
4. What is your organisation's vision and your key goals to achieve the vision in 2016? How will they be measured?
5. How does your organisation contribute/support/add value to the Singleton community?
6. How do you generate funding/income and briefly describe your successes over the last 2 years
7. How do you monitor quality (ie do you have accreditation ISO9001?)
8. What sets you apart from your competitors?
Owner/operator business excellence: (less than 5 Fulltime equivalent employees)
Recognises the difficulties of being the expert on everything! This award is given to a business showing success and an ability to
manage all the aspects of business including staff and systems to ensure the sustainability of the enterprise.
Questions:
1. Please describe your business growth in the last 12 months (200 words max 15%)
2. What strategies do you have in place to ensure the viability of your business? How will your plans and goals be
implemented? (300 words max 30%)
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards
P O Box 298 Singleton 2330
www.singletonchamber.org.au
E: info@singletonchamber.org.au
T: 0400 460 412
3.
4.
5.
How do you manage business development and marketing of your business? (200 words max 15%)
What systems do you have in place to ensure your staff convey the right values and service level you expect? Explain
your customer service process and describe any difficulties that have been overcome and what this has meant to your
business (300 words max 25%)
How do you interact with other local businesses and how do you provide input into your local community? (200words
max 15%)
Employee of Year/Pride of Workmanship - in this award we are partnered by the Singleton Rotary Club who will
select the winner.
This award is for an employee who has shown loyalty, works hard (Do it once - Do it well) and has made a difference to his/her
workplace.
Questions:
1. Name of nominator
2. Contact number
3. Name of Employee and Employee’s position and duration of employment with this business
4. Please describe the duties of this employee
5. Please detail why you believe this employee deserves this nomination - e.g. exceeding expectations, feedback from
clients and/or staff, ability/flexibility to work in a team or individually, cooperation, enthusiasm, hard worker
Attach Photo here
2016 Singleton Outstanding Business Awards