Sponsors form the backbone of every commercial or community initiative and their support is imperative for the success of any venture, Small Business Minister John Banks said.
Speaking at a dinner meeting held to honour Sponsors of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (INLIBA) at Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland City on Monday, September 23, 2013, he said, “A healthy Sponsor-Client relationship accrues mutually beneficial results, which in turn helps to recognise and reward business successes. I have been witnessing the impressive growth of INLIBA since the Scheme was established in 2008 and undoubtedly international and national companies have been a great source of strength,” he said.
Respected brands
Our Awards Scheme is fortunate to have the sponsorship of well-known companies whose products and services are well branded in New Zealand and overseas. Among them are BNZ (Title Sponsor and Sponsor of Best Large Business and Supreme Business of the Year Award), KPMG (ICT), 2degress Mobile Limited (Small Business), CPA Australia (Best Accountant), Unitec (Innovation), Radio Tarana (Marketing), New Zealand Career College (Export to India), The Ranchhod Group (Retail Trade), Mercury Printz (Customer Service), Patton Limited (Best Young Entrepreneur) and KonnecTV (Best Business Woman).
Title Sponsor
Lyndon Settle and Ansuya Naidoo, respectively Managing Partner and Senior Partner of BNZ Partners (Central Auckland) said that BNZ was happy to be involved with the Indian business community.
“The Indian business community in New Zealand contributes significantly to the progress and development of the New Zealand economy and BNZ is proud to be associated as bankers to an increasing number of small, medium and large businesses throughout the country. INLIBA have been a good platform to recognise and reward business successes and we are happy to be involved as the Title Sponsor,” they said.
KPMG Consultancy Partner Chandan Ohri said that the Awards programme is growing bigger and better every year, highlighting the significant contribution the Indian business community makes to New Zealand as a whole and to the economy.
Malcolm Phillipps, Chief Marketing Officer of 2degrees Mobile Limited said that his Company is keen to celebrate the success of others within our local communities.
“We are therefore pleased to be the Sponsor of the ‘Best Small Business’ category of the Indian Newslink IBA,” he added.
Rewarding Excellence
CPA Australia Country Manager David Jenkins said that CPA-sponsored Award for the ‘Best Accountant of the Year’ is a natural step in the evolution of an awards programme that serves to celebrate all-round business excellence.
‘This Award acknowledges the significant contribution that Indian accounting professionals are making to the success of New Zealand businesses, both here and overseas,” he said.
According to Unitec Chief Executive Dr Rick Ede, these Awards are an important opportunity to not only recognise the best of the Indian Business Community but also recognise innovation at all levels.
Robert Khan, Managing Director of Radio Tarana, which has been sponsoring the ‘Business Excellence in Marketing’ category since its inception in 2009, said that the Awards Scheme has been instrumental in improving awareness and encouraging businesses to perform better and be recognised for their success.
“The decision to reward excellence in Marketing was a step in the right direction. This is a popular category,” he said.
Indian engagement
New Zealand Career College Chief Executive Feroz Ali said that New Zealand companies should engage closely with their counterparts in India.
“The Business Excellence in Export to India Award’ which is the only category open to all New Zealand businesses exporting a product or service appropriately recognises export achievers,” he said.
Although not a retailing company, the Ranchhod Group decided to sponsor the ‘Business Excellence in Retail Trade’ category (since last year) as a mark of its support to the business community.
“A large percentage of Indian businesses are in the retail sector and hence we found it appropriate to sponsor this category,” Managing Director Mahesh Ranchhod said.
Mercury Printz Director Ilango Krishnamoorthy said that quality, reliability, honesty and integrity are hallmarks of success.
“As a customer-driven Company, we are pleased to sponsor the ‘Business Excellence in Customer Service’ Category of IBA 2013,” he said.
Young professionals
Sameer Handa, Global Chief Executive of Patton Limited (which is currently marking its 90th Anniversary), said that his Company is proud of is sponsorship of the ‘Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award since 2010.
“It is important to support and guide young professionals wherever possible. These Business Awards play a critical role in recognising these young achievers every year,” he said.
KonnecTV, a fast growing television entertainment and news provider is the Sponsor of the ‘Best Businesswoman of the Year’ Category.
Chief Executive Abhishek Narang said, “This is our tribute to the contributions of women in the commercial, industrial, manufacturing and trade sectors.”
The exclusive dinner was held to apprise sponsors of the Awards Scheme, the benefits it has accrued thus far to the sponsors and the Gala Black Tie Cocktails, Dinner, Entertainment and Awards Presentation Ceremony scheduled to be held on Monday, November 18, 2013 at Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland City, tickets for which, priced at $150 per person or tables (at $1500 plus GST) seating ten persons are now available. For details, please call (09) 5336377 or 021-836528. Email: editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
Photo :
Small Business Minister John Banks at our Sponsors Dinner on September 23
