Mick’s Meat Barn meets customer expectations

For many businesses, the start of a new financial year can be the motivation to review the business plan and look at new ways to increase profile and profits. Winning a Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Award may assist on both counts.

Liam Richards, owner of Warana based retail business Mick’s Meat Barn, was the winner of the Retail Large Business Award in 2009 and is currently preparing his entry for the 2010 Awards. With retail being one of the largest economic drivers in the region, retail outlets from large department stores to single operator establishments are encouraged to nominate and then enter the Awards before entries close on Friday July 30.

Since receiving the award, Liam said that one of the best aspects of the win was receiving recognition for his business and staff’s success outside of his trade.

“As a business owner it’s pretty typical to focus on the day to day, internal running of a business but when you are rewarded for your efforts with an award such as this your customers, suppliers and other business owners all sit up, take notice and share in that success.

“They’ve all helped us to get to the winning position so I think it’s a really good thing for staff morale, the community and our trade in general,” Liam said.

Proving that Liam is a cut above the rest, he has cleverly integrated his award win as part of his marketing strategy by emailing his customer database with news of the win, including it as part of the company website, featuring it in his electronic email signature and hanging the framed trophy in a highly visible position on his shop wall.

“Our customers get a real kick out of knowing that they are supporting an award winning local business and looking at it every day is a great reminder to our staff of why we strive to deliver business excellence day in, day out to our customers,” Liam said.

Sunshine Coast Council’s Chair of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, Councillor Lew Brennan said he believed that by entering the awards and attending the award presentation ceremony in November, businesses received the perfect, opportunity to celebrate their successes and to network with some of the biggest names in business on the Sunshine Coast.

“Regardless of the outcome the whole entry process is an excellent way of reviewing your business. It gives you a chance to analyse your strengths and weaknesses, makes sure you’re on track and provides the opportunity to promote your business to a broader network of customers and captains of industry,” said Cr Brennan.

With entries closing on Friday July 30, Sunshine Coast businesses are encouraged to enter the awards (at no cost) by completing a nomination form, or being nominated by a third party, and then submitting the answers to nine - 12 questions that make up the final entry submission. There are 13 award categories to choose from and with entry content limited to no more than six, A4 pages even the busiest of businesses should be able to find the time to enter.

The awards boast a range of quality, high profile sponsors including Sunshine Coast Council as a Platinum Sponsor and a host of others including Suncorp Bank, Sunshine Coast TAFE, University of the Sunshine Coast, Telstra Country Wide and more.

In 2009, more local businesses to win Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards included Kawana’s Budget Direct (Professional Services Large Business Award) and Warana’s Quick Corp employee Kaiti Wallace (Outstanding Employee of the Year).

HOW TO ENTER:

• Nominations for the 16th Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards close at 5pm on Friday 30 July.
• Nomination forms and information is available at www.maroochy.org or by phoning 5443 5661.
• Categories include: Building/Manufacturing, Business Services, Creative/Knowledge Industries, Environmental Industries, Export, Food and Beverage Production, Innovation, Lifestyle Services, Professional Services, Retail, Tourism, Outstanding Business Person of the Year and Outstanding Employee of the Year.
• All entries require a nomination and the completion of nine business submission questions (plus an additional three questions for the Innovation and Export categories).
• The judges will evaluate entrants by way of the written entry submission, demonstration of best management practices, an onsite interview, a ‘mystery shop/visit’, and referee attestations.
• The final Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards ceremony will be held in November. It is the largest regional business award event to be held outside of a metropolitan city in Australia.