The Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2013 Presentation Ceremony held on November 18 at Sky City Grand Convention Centre in Auckland was a sparkling event, with more than 800 people in attendance.
It was an evening of success stories with a number of finalists and winners in 12 individual categories, with one of them declared ‘Supreme Business of the Year.’
Details of the finalists and winners appear elsewhere in this Awards Special.
Indians first arrived in Aotearoa in the late 1890s. Since then, not only has the Indian population grown manifold, its contribution to the New Zealand society and business has become significant.
These Awards were a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of businesspersons of Indian origin in New Zealand. The Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Programme derives its stature and respect by recognising the spectacular growth story of Indian entrepreneurs
Perfect amalgamation
Businesses run by people of Indian origin in New Zealand are successful as they are a perfect amalgamation of the best business practices of the east and the west.
They are built on a platform of hard work, dedication and determination.
These businesses know the art of survival and succeed in an overtly competitive market, with their products and services exceeding customer expectations.
In a market like New Zealand, word-of-mouth publicity plays a pivotal role in making or marring an enterprise. Delivery of quality customer service becomes a personal responsibility of the owner, minimising failings, and creating a reliability and likeability factor in the market for the business.
Staying ahead
Indian business owners are good at identifying gaps in the market.
Customer demands, if met satisfactorily, can provide businesses with a ready customer base, and the ‘first mover advantage.’
Incorporating new technology in the running of businesses also gives Indian enterprises an edge. It gives the enterprises a contemporary feel whilst retaining the long established tenets of honesty and integrity.
Good recognition
These principles were recognised at the Awards Night as the finalists and winners were announced in 12 individual categories. Special mention of these factors was made of those featured in the Business Excellence in Retail Trade, Innovation, Marketing and Customer Service segments.
Small and Medium-Sized businesses are the backbone of the New Zealand economy.
Many Indians own such enterprises, generally as family-operated. These are another example of the importance that the family plays in Indian culture, exhibiting the strong bond formed between family members.
The Awards night highlighted this facet by recognising achievers in these categories.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to accord voting rights to women and it was therefore befitting to applaud Indian women who have made their mark in an equitable and open society.
The ‘Best Indian Business Woman of the Year’ Award recognised the contribution made by women to business. It was also of significance that the ‘Best Accountant of the Year,’ a new category was also a woman.
As curtains drew on Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2013, the stage is being set for next year’s event; which promises to be even bigger and more spectacular.
Photo :
1. A section of guests at the Awards Night Dinner
2. Subhag & Ajit Singh, Anil Rana and Ansuya Naidoo
3. Mahesh Ranchhod, Tony Chaudhary, Chetan Patel, Raman Ranchhod and Alex Spika
4. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Steven Joyce with guests from Patton Limited
