EXCELLENCE
IN BUSINESS
This award recognises a business that has demonstrated strong overall performance and a clear commitment to long-term success. It is suited to businesses that can show commercial strength, effective leadership, a clear strategy, and positive outcomes for customers, staff and the wider Hawke’s Bay community.
Judges will be looking for a business that understands its market, makes sound decisions, manages challenges well, and continues to build capability, resilience and value.
WHO SHOULD ENTER
This category may suit your business if you:
- Have been operating for several years
- Can show strong business planning and performance
- Have clear systems, leadership and decision-making processes
- Can demonstrate customer, staff and community impact
- Have adapted well to change or challenge
- Are ready to tell the story behind your results
EVIDENCE TO PREPARE
- Business plan or strategic priorities
- Financial summary or performance indicators
- Customer feedback or testimonials
- Staff development examples
- Examples of innovation or process improvements
- Community, sector or regional contribution
- Key challenges and how they were managed
WHAT A STRONG ENTRY SHOULD SHOW
A strong entry will clearly explain what the business does, what has changed or improved, and what results have been achieved. Use specific examples rather than broad statements. Show the decisions behind the outcomes.
WHAT JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR
Business performance
Judges will look for evidence of steady performance, financial awareness, growth, sustainability, or other measurable business outcomes.
Strategy and leadership
Judges will look at how the business is led, how decisions are made, and how the business plans for the future.
Customer and market understanding
Judges will consider how well the business understands its customers, market position and competitive strengths.
People and culture
Judges will look for evidence of a positive workplace, staff development, retention, wellbeing, or clear team leadership.
Innovation and improvement
Judges will consider how the business improves its products, services, systems, processes or ways of working.
Regional contribution
Judges will consider how the business contributes to Hawke’s Bay through employment, procurement, community involvement, sector leadership or regional growth.