No shortage of inspiring role models in Manukau

The Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards not only offer an opportunity to celebrate Manukau’s young business people, but they also provide inspiring role models.

New Zealand’s largest business awards are well-known for providing a glamorous celebration of Manukau’s leading businesses and business people. But Manukau Mayor Len Brown, whose council is a major sponsor of these Awards, believes that there is a lot more to it than that.

“Young business people will be our future business leaders, so we need to recognise their talents and encourage them so they continue to achieve at high levels.

“The awards are very much about inspiring Manukau’s young people. Seeing their peers successful in business will give other young people the confidence to give it a go themselves. I would urge the young business people of Manukau to nominate themselves - and their colleagues - for these Awards.”

Last year’s winner of the Young Business Person of the Year is Daniel Robertson of Fishpond. Fishpond is an online book store that Daniel started at his home in 2004. Now his company employs more than 50 people and claims to be New Zealand’s biggest online store, operating from a warehouse in Airport Oaks.

Another inspiring winner from last year is Boardertown, a retailer of snowboards, wakeboards and skateboards, as well as clothing and accessories. Boardertown scooped two Awards last year: Small Business of the Year Award, and Excellence in Emerging Business Award.

“Starting Boardertown has been one of the biggest challenges any of us had faced,” says Director Tim Guy. Boardertown’s struggles include a series of four break-ins at their previous location. And before they’d even started their business, Work and Income advised one of the company’s founders that he would be better off on the dole than starting up a business.

“Winning the Awards validated the long hours that we’ve put into building Boardertown. It also raised the profile of our business, both in the local community as well as with key stakeholders. The Awards gave us more credibility in the marketplace, and has allowed us to improve relationships with suppliers, as well as significantly increasing our turnover.”

Boardertown’s success in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards has also helped the company to benefit the community. The team has worked with Manukau City Council and Mayor Len Brown to build the new Barry Curtis Skate Park that will be finished later this year.

Tim Guy has some sound advice for other young business people who are facing challenges in their businesses.

“Draw on advice from mentors, both professionally and personally, and don’t be afraid to draw people into the business that have expertise in areas you’re not so strong in. To succeed, you’ll need perseverance and a willingness to put aside short-term gain for long-term success. And the ability to continually learn and adapt is vital.”

Ian Blair, General Manager of Business Banking at Westpac, the other major sponsor of the Awards, agrees that getting the right advice is essential for all businesses.

“These Awards aren’t just about celebrating; they’re actually a business development programme. That’s how powerful the judge’s feedback is for an organisation. It’s the best free business consulting available, and I’d urge young business people to grab this opportunity.”

Entering the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards is free and entry categories have been specially designed so that there are relevant choices for all manner of industries and business sizes. Categories include employer of choice, exporting, manufacturing, innovation and strategy, service delivery, emerging business, environmental management, tourism and hospitality, ACC workplace safety, and two nominated categories; business contribution to the community and young business person of the year.

This is your opportunity to stand out and be recognised as the best. Visit www.bizawards.co.nz or contact Enterprising Manukau on 09 262 2244 for more information.

Entries close on 1 July at 5pm, and finalists will be announced at the Finalists’ Function at Villa Maria Estate on 28 July.

Sponsors of the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards include the Wiri Licensing Trust, New Zealand Herald, Brookfields Lawyers, EMA, NALCO, COGITA, RSM Prince, Manukau Water, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, ACC and the Manukau Community Foundation. Manukau City Council and Westpac are the major sponsors of these awards, which are delivered on behalf of the council by Enterprising Manukau. These Awards were instigated 16 years ago to recognise, encourage and assist business growth and development.