Rod makes savvy decision for new financial year

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.

Rod Russell of Mooloolaba business brokers , Savvy Business Sales is in the process of preparing his entry for the 2010 Awards after taking out the Business Services Small Business Award for two years’ running in 2008 and 2009. If he wins in 2010 it will earn him a place in the awards’ ‘Hall of Fame’.

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.

Rod promotes Savvy’s success in the awards through extensive online and press marketing, in the company’s national business magazine, and as part of the corporate stationery and business cards.

“Winning the award two years running also adds a further level of credibility to the business providing customers with added piece of mind,” Rod said.

“Unlike many other awards, the Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards are really well conducted in that they employ a holistic process that encourages the judges to really understand the whole of the business and what your key points of difference are.

“It is not just about who writes the best submission or who has the biggest cash-flow.”

Rod said that since winning the awards he often revisits the judging criteria as a kind of “business health check” which forces him to keep re-focusing on the latest strategies, staff training and his business plan.

“I’ve been in business on the Sunshine Coast for over 15 years now but these awards are useful not only for raising external awareness but also to focus internally on where your business is at, and where you want it to go”, he 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 that businesses received the perfect, opportunity to celebrate their success 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 Lew Brennan

In 2009, more local businesses to scoop a Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Award included Medicine on Second (Enterprise of the Year and Outstanding Business Person of the Year), Success Foods Pty Ltd (Small Business of the Year), Bella Venezia Restaurant (Hospitality Large Business Award), My Sunshine Coast (Innovation Small Business Award) amongst others.

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 Maroochy Chamber of Commerce website 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 Special Awards - Innovation and Export).
• 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.