Workshops for business awards entrants

JOINED FORCES: Darren McGarvie (left) from Firestation and Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua businesses eyeing up success at the 2016 Westpac Business Excellence Awards can get a helping hand with their applications at free workshops.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said he was pleased to announce the chamber had joined forces with Bay of Plenty Business Growth Centre, Firestation, to help businesses enter the awards.

"We know many businesses are interested in entering the awards but they are uncertain about what's involved or what they should include in their entry.

"Chief business coach Darren McGarvie from Firestation will run two workshops. They really are a must attend for all business to find out more about the awards," Mr Walsh said.

"The workshops will help with completing the award entry and how to make the most of the awards process. They will provide an insight on what makes a winning business."

He said the Winning Business Awards Workshops and awards were open to all organisations, even if they were not chamber members.

"Year after year, all award entrants are amazed at the many benefits of entering the awards," he said.

"It provides external validation and recognition of hard work and success, which can further increase staff motivation, productivity and overall success. In addition, it raises the profile of your business, and builds a reputation for excellence inside and outside your industry."

The Taupo Chamber of Commerce and Firestation ran similar workshops in Taupo last year with more than 80 businesses attending.

Firestation co-founder and chief coach and previous award winner, Darren McGarvie, said he was looking forward to helping more businesses with the awards process this year.

"Many business owners are so busy working in their business that they have little time to step back and work on their business. The award entry process provides an opportunity to prioritise this and it's invaluable for the ongoing success of the business," he said.

"Not only will the workshops go through the award entry form in detail; they will also will provide best practice examples across key areas of business such as leadership, sales, innovation and marketing."

The workshops will be held on Wednesday June 15 and Wednesday July 6 from 5.30 - 7pm. To register go to www.bit.ly/BusAwardsWorkshop.

Entries for the 2016 Westpac Business Excellence Awards close July 31. For entry details go to www.bit.ly/BusAwardsEntry.