Rotorua Business Awards: Big chance for firms to shine

CONVENOR: The 2013 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards convenor of judges Linda Macpherson with her sons Marcus, 4, (left) and Jonty, 1. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 040913BF6

ROTORUA business owner Linda Macpherson admits being the convenor of judges for the 2013 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards has been a big job but a role she has enjoyed.

"Just being part of a really positive vibe within the community both in terms of the entrants in putting themselves forward and the great stories that they have created with their businesses."

Her role began in February and ends on October 4 when award winners will be announced.

Mrs Macpherson has put in about 100 hours, juggling her role around owning her own business Shout Marketing and being mum to two preschooler sons.

Mrs Macpherson has run her own marketing management business for the past six years working with small to medium sized businesses.

She has not yet entered the awards before but this year wanted to put her hand up to be the convenor of judges.

Mrs Macpherson's colleague Melanie Short was the previous convenor of judges.

"I'd always been interested in what she was able to do for the business community . . . I saw it as a chance to support something that is a real positive to have in the business community."

She said the awards gave businesses a reason to evaluate where they were at and "bring their processes up to speed by being critiqued by their peers".

"Fundamentally it's the process that is important. At the other end it's the recognition and the chance to celebrate the good things and the successes that are happening in the business community."

The role has so far involved finding a panel of 12 judges who are Rotorua business leaders. Two of the judges judge each of the six categories.

The finalists for the awards have been chosen after the judges met each entrant, spending one to four hours with each. The judges then put a case to the panel as to why a particular business should be a finalist.

All the finalists' "financials" are reviewed and the "slate is wiped clear".

Each finalist has to do a 25-minute presentation for the judging panel before the winners are selected.

"The Rotorua business awards have got a very robust judging process."

Mrs Macpherson said she liked seeing the "buoyancy and optimism that businesses can succeed in Rotorua and in this environment".

With more than 50 businesses entered, the most challenging aspect of her role was seeing businesses doing "great things" but missing out on an award as the competition was "reasonably tough".

Mrs Macpherson said the biggest thing she had learnt as convenor of judges was the importance of business people not being afraid to ask for help or advice.

"Many of the top businesses want to share their experience and knowledge with the business community. Often we can think these people are off limits. They are there to make sure the whole business community can thrive It might just be a case of asking."

And her advice for those entering the business awards in the future?

"Don't be afraid to put yourselves up for critique because mostly you will receive admiration from your peers."