Business Awards: Judging a juggling act

AFTER a year's break, Melanie Short is back as the convenor of judges for the 2012 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards and she's looking forward to it.

"The role of convenor ticks all the boxes for me and I am fortunate enough to work with a fantastic panel of Rotorua business people who give their time voluntarily to judge."

Melanie first took on the challenge of running the awards judging process in 2007 when she was doing contract work and having a family.

"I clearly remember juggling a brand new baby's feeding schedule during the final judging weekend."

She says time management is the greatest challenge for the convenor, along with ensuring all entrants are well looked after and provided equal opportunity to promote themselves to the judges.

But the balancing act is worthwhile and she says the role has given her a huge insight into Rotorua businesses and a chance to use her project management and facilitation skills.

Melanie was convenor for three years before being a judge in 2010 and taking a year off in 2011.

Now she is back and putting together the judging panel for the 2012 awards and has had a fantastic response from the people she has spoken to about it.

"Most judges get involved for several years ... but finding new judges is not a difficult thing to do - most are very pleased to be approached."

Her advice to anybody thinking of entering the awards is to "go for it".

"Talk to others who have entered in the past. Entering will provide multiple benefits to your business."

When she isn't convening judges, Melanie is the marketing and sponsorship manager for Sport Bay of Plenty. She started her career in the dairy industry, before moving to Rotorua in 2003.

She did contract work while raising her family before spending two years in marketing with Lockwood.

High Achiever

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Contact business editor Julie Taylor on (07) 348 6199 ext 57015 or at business@dailypost.co.nz