Inviting entries for the 8th Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards
Venkat Raman
In announcing the launch of the 8th Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) 2015, we have pleasure in inviting qualifying New Zealand businesses to file their entries, showcasing in the process, their growth, profitability and achievements.
As in the past years, our Awards Scheme is open to all businesses owned, operated, managed and franchised by people of Indian origin registered in New Zealand. However, one category relating to business with India is open to all New Zealand businesses, irrespective of their ownership.
Our Sponsors
Entries to the IBA open today (March 1) and will close on August 31, 2015. A panel of judges, independent of this newspaper will evaluate the entries and announce the names of finalists and winners at the Eighth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Presentation Ceremony scheduled to be held on Monday, November 23, 2015 at Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland, details of which will be announced in due course.
We are proud to announce that Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is the Title Sponsor of the Awards for the fifth year in succession. Our Sponsors of individual categories are all multinational and national companies of high repute. Their involvement not only enhances the value of the Awards programme but also inspires entrants.
Award Categories
There are 12 categories in this year’s Awards Scheme. These include Business Excellence in Retail Trade, Business Excellence in Innovation, Business Excellence in Marketing, Business Excellence in Customer Service, Business Excellence in ICT, Business Excellence in International Business with India, Best Large Business, Best Medium-Sized Business, Best Small Business, Best Accountant of the Year, Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Businesswoman of the Year.
Winners in each of these categories will be automatically assessed for the ‘Supreme Business of the Year’ Award.
Free Workshops
As a part of our efforts to enable potential entrants to understand the Awards Scheme and the judging process, we conduct three workshops in Auckland as follows:
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 4 pm: BNZ Partners, Level 1, 86 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 4 pm: BNZ Partners Board Room, 373 Great North Road, Henderson, West Auckland
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 4 pm: Level 8, Deloitte Centre, Level 8, 80 Queen Street, Auckland City (Workshop in The Board Room, Level 7; please report at Reception at Level 8)
To Register please email editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
We also plan to conduct workshops in Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton depending on public response. Our judges and/or experts will explain the rules of the competition, what the judges expect from entrants and ‘How to file a good entry.’
The Judging Process
One of the best attributes of our Awards Scheme is its integrity. The panel of judges is independent of Indian Newslink, its management and staff and sponsors, and comprises professionals of proven expertise in various fields of activity. Those entering the Business Awards send their entries in the prescribed forms directly to Chad Wilkie, Convenor of the Judging Panel to a specially dedicated email ID.
Mr Wilkie, who is involved in many other Awards programmes in New Zealand said that participants are often sceptical about the judging panel, concerned that confidential information will get into the wrong hands, that celebrating success in business attracts the wrong sort of attention, and that the judging process will be subject to influence.
Assured integrity
“I can assure everyone that this is not the case as far as IBA is concerned. The entries are sent directly to me as Chairman of Judges, and are never shared with anyone in Indian Newslink. The judges are handpicked by me for their integrity and capabilities, and each signs a confidentiality agreement. The Panel picks the finalists and winners based on a rigorous process,” he said.
The picture here shows Prime Minister John Key, Labour MP Phil Goff, Rakesh and Roshan Nauhria (winner of the ‘Supreme Business of the Year’ Award) as BNZ Chairman John Waller reads out the Judges’ Comments at the Seventh Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Presentation Ceremony held on November 24, 2014 at Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland.
(Picture by Narendra Bedekar)
