Roger Gordon: Awards of Distinction

THE SECOND STAGE of the Westpac Business Excellence Awards is underway. Now the focus turns to the Awards of Distinction.

There are four of these awards and they cover defined aspects of any organisation.The first of these Awards of Distinction is the NZCU Rotorua Employee of the Year. This is the 10th year this award has been offered and the gallery of winners shows the breadth of business sectors in which the winners are employed.

They were: 2011 Andrew McKay, Kaitao Middle School; 2010 Jo Edmunds, Career Network; 2009 Pauline Hapi, Lakes District Health Board; 2008 Hinekura Hohia, Sunset Intermediate; 2007 Gillian Tangi, Sealed Air Cryovac; 2006 Heidi Lichtwark, Sport BOP; 2005 Craig Morrison, Summit Engineering; 2004 Gordon Bunning, Prince of Wales Health Camp; 2003 Diane Moore, Rotorua Boys' High School.

I have always been impressed with the dedication and commitment that this group of people have to their chosen occupation. They are a great set of role models and we are fortunate to have them making such a positive contribution.

The one thing I really like about this award is that Philippa Wills, general manager of NZCU Rotorua, normally brings all of the nominees together on an evening before the finalists are announced to acknowledge them all as winners in their own right.

During the evening there is normally a presentation on some aspect of leadership or personal development. So it really is a win-win situation.

When I speak to companies about this award, some respond that they don't like picking a single person from their team for recognition. I recommend they consider one entry from their team as representing the whole team.

The other award I would like to reflect upon is the Waiariki Institute of Technology Apprentice of the Year.

Previous winners were: 2011 Grant Forlong, Brydand Holdings; 2010 Sam Baylosis, Patchell Stainless; 2009 Richard Evans, Farm and Garden; 2008 Ben Fincuane, Hayes International; 2007 Aaron Corney, Farm and Garden; 2006 Gary Trewin, Skyline Skyrides; 2005 Elizabeth Rankin, Sealed Air, Cryovac.

This award was introduced to profile trades education as a career option. Many of the recipients of the awards have moved on to build on the excellent start and foundation they were given through their apprenticeship.

Entry is open to any person who is undertaking some formalised programme of development as a company trainee, cadet or apprentice. This can be focused on trade skill development or on management trainee training.

The previous winners show again a representation for a variety of industry sectors from agricultural, manufacturing and hospitality.

I encourage all companies to look among their team and nominate one of their employees for either of these two awards.

The entry form is on the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce website, www.rotoruachamber.co.nz. Go to the Business Awards page, then click on the 'enter' box. These categories close on Thursday, July 12.

- Roger Gordon is chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce.