Rotorua Business Awards workshop held

Prospective Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards entrants got the rundown on the awards process on Wednesday evening.
It was the first of two workshops at Waiariki Institute of Technology to help people considering entering the awards to find out more.
The second workshop runs from 5.30pm to 6.30pm next Thursday.
Convenor of judges Kim Martin said the goal was to "inspire and inform".
Deciding which of the business award categories to enter is relatively straight forward, but she said businesses should also look at which of the distinction awards might also fit.
Business awards are divided into manufacturing and trade, service providers, hospitality and attractions, retail, community organisations and emerging businesses and have quite a detailed entry form.
Once this process has been completed, she suggested the simpler distinction application forms for employee or apprentice of the year, customer service and social responsibility would be relatively easy.
"You cannot enter the business person of the year, that is done by peer selection. But anybody entering the main business categories should think about the distinction awards - you are already doing a lot of the work."
During the workshop she also talks participants through the application form and the timeline associated with the awards, urging entrants to note important dates - such as the period when judges visit businesses and the finalists' presentation weekend - to make sure they are available.
Judges Mijo Katavic, from Castle Corp, and Lloyd Upston, from Westpac, talked about preparing entries, with Katavic saying the site visits were inspiring for judges.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet people who are passionate about their business and it is a great opportunity for you to get out there and let people know what you are doing."
Upston pointed to the importance of providing quality information, rather than volume, in your application and to ensure this would be supported by the site visit.
"We want to see the practical application of what you have talked about."
Previous Business of the Year winner and returning judge Tania Davis, of Zero to 100, shared her experiences from both sides of the process - particularly the finalist presentation in front of the entire judging panel.
"It's nothing like Dragon's Den. It was very nerve-wracking, but it is all about practise, practise, practise.
"Be creative. You need to bring your business alive so [the judges] can see what it is all about."
The second business awards workshop runs 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, May 12.
Contact Rotorua Chamber of Commerce for details and registration: www.rotoruachamber.co.nz.