PC363_GUIDELINES

Created by Gyrate Advertising.Design.Events Proudly hosted by

PO Box 139 Parramatta NSW 2124

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| 9683 6655

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| 9683 6644

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| awards@wsabe.com.au

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| wsabe.com.au

GU IDE LIN ES FO R EN TR AN TS 2012 WESTERN SYDNEY AWARDS FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE Proudly hosted by

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Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2012 Awards and Categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2012 Categories – Awards in Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Judging considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Winners will benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Eligibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 How to enter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Celebrate with us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Delivery of entry submission(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Judging process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Entry submission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Site visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Results determination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Recognition and promotion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Confidentiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2012 WESTERN SYDNEY AWARDS FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

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introduction Welcome to Parramatta and Western Sydney’s Premier Business Awards; the only awards run by business for business. Currently in their 22nd year of success, these awards showcase dynamic small, medium and large businesses from across Sydney’s Greater West, and beyond. They give recognition to businesses that strive for excellence and have achieved sustained growth as a result.

The Parramatta Regional Awards for Business Excellence were established in 1991.These awards recognise excellence in those areas of business practice that are shared by all business, such as:

Business Standards Business operations or quality management Customer service Advertising, marketing and sales Corporate/Environmental responsibility & sustainability Innovation (product, service, process, physical evidence) Corporate/business culture and/or staff training

AND development

All companies and businesses of all sizes across Greater Western Sydney are eligible to enter this excellent awards program to demonstrate to our region, and beyond, that they are strong players in Australia’s third largest regional economy.

The program is sponsored by a number of major businesses in Sydney’s Greater West. We thank them for their continued support.

We would like to acknowledge our Major Sponsors

media Partners

We would like to acknowledge our sponsors

gyrate

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WAVE

Western Audio Visual Events

2012 awards and categories Awards are offered in the areas of business practice listed below. Entrants may choose more than one award category in which they wish to be considered. The judging panel will choose an overall winner to receive the 2012 Business of the Year.

For the purpose of this awards program an SME is a business that has less than 20 employees and is not part of a major business or global entity. A large business is one with more than 20 employees or is part of a major business or global entity.

2012 categories – awards in excellence

Excellence in Community Service

Excellence in Hospitality (Accommodation, Restaurant, Café, Club)

Excellence in RETAIL

Excellence in Finance and Insurance Products & Services

Excellence in Human Resources and Recruitment

Excellence in Manufacturing

Excellence in Professional Services (Consulting, Accounting, Advertising, Design, Legal)

Excellence in Starting a New Business Applies only to a business that has been operating, in any form or under any ownership, for no less than 2 and no more than 4 years

Excellence in Education (Tertiary, Post Graduate, Professional, Private)

Excellence in Sport and Recreation

Excellence in Property SALES AND MANAGEMENT

Excellence in SOLE TRADING

Excellence in SUSTAINABILITY IN A BUSINESS NOT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY

Excellence in EXPORT

high Achiever Categories There is no requirement for a separate entry submission for the High Achiever categories as all entrants are in consideration for these awards.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Business woman of the year

MALE Young entrepreneur of the year

less than 35 years of age as at 21st Sept 2012

FEMALE Young entrepreneur of the year

less than 35 years of age as at 21st Sept 2012

MALE Entrepreneur of the year

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FEMALE Entrepreneur of the year

CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE

Judging Considerations Business standards Business operations or quality management Customer service Advertising, marketing and sales Corporate/environmental responsibility and sustainability Innovation (product, service, process, physical evidence) Corporate/business culture and/or staff training and development Winners will further benefit from Promotion of your business as an industry leader Creation of local, regional recognition Increase in your media profile Receiving recognition from your peers in industry Receiving a quality trophy for display The right to display the awards logo and PR material in promoting your business Eligibility The Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence are open to any legally constituted business located in, or serving Western Sydney. This may include, but is not limited to, sole trader, partnership, company, incorporated body, a department or division of a business enterprise.

All entrants must have an ABN. The awards are open to businesses of any size, but all entrants must be able to demonstrate that they have: Achieved growth over the past two years or have a sound business plan in place Realistic plans for further growth over the next twelve months Financial viability Maintenance of high standards of business practice Community awareness and good corporate citizenship practices (current or planned) With the exception of the category Excellence in a Start up Business, entrants must have been operating for over three years as of the closing date for entry submission.

Excellence in a Start up Business applies only to businesses that have been operating, in any form or under any ownership, for no less than two and no more than four years at the closing date for entry submission.

Entrants must complete the Awards Entry Questionnaire.

Entrants must enter at least one awards category. More than one category may be selected.

Sponsors and judges of the 2012 awards cannot enter.

Executive members of the Board of the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce and members

of the awards committee may not enter.

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Please note If you own/operate a franchise business, you can enter only one location of that business

You may enter a specific department or section of your business for an award, not necessarily your business as a whole Businesses who have received government grants are eligible to enter Not for Profits are eligible to enter

2011 2012 WESTERN WESTERN SYDNEY SYDNEY AWARDS AWARDS BUSINESS FORIN BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE

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how to enter Entry to the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence is free and easy: just follow the steps below to become part of this exciting, and rewarding, business recognition program.

1. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST Complete and send the Registration of Interest Form if you are entering the awards yourself, or on behalf of your employer.

2. CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED CATEGORY/IES See list on page 3 for the awards categories.

3. COMPLETE THE AWARDS ENTRY QUESTIONNAIRE Download the Awards Entry questionnaire at wsabe.com.au. If you require a hard copy we can fax or post the questionnaire to you, please call Louise on 9683 6655.

Part A, Part B and Part C: questions 13-16 are compulsory. Part C: questions 17-18 are optional and must be completed if applicable, please state “not applicable” if this is the case. Fill in your company name and category on each page.

Ensure all pages of your entry are bound securely, including supporting material.

4. SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY QUESTIONNAIRE Send your entry to the Awards Secretariat by C.O.B. Friday, 21st September 2012.

All entries must include a high resolution jpg file of the organisation’s logo.

The inclusion of any additional material that profiles your business (eg CDs, DVDs, videos) is optional.

Provide copies only and ensure the material is labelled and securely bound. Materials can be collected by entrants at the completion of the awards program at the address below.

Street Address Suite 3 Level 1, 8-10 Palmer St, Parramatta Postal Address PO Box 139, Parramatta NSW 2124 Fax 9683 6644 Email awards@wsabe.com.au CELEBRATE WITH US Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Evening to be held on Thursday, 11th October 2012 at the prestigious WatervieW at Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park. This will be a formal night of excitement and entertainment and elegance. It provides great exposure for finalists and sponsors. It is unique amongst such occasions and will be a complete celebration of business. The Gala Evening will attract more than 400 members and guests of the business community. The night will be a highly professional event featuring dignitaries, VIPs, high profile celebrities, fine food and wine and quality entertainment. It will be a memorable experience.

The winners media and VIP event will be held on Thursday, 25th October 2012. Winning and Highly Commended businesses will celebrate their award wins, and be recognised by VIP sponsors, business and media partners and dignitaries. This is an opportunity to network and receive the promotional opportunity you have earned.

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Assistance Preparing the awards’ entry submission is one of the most valuable aspects of the program. This is an opportunity for businesses to assess their internal performance, refocus their strategic directions and identify strengths and challenges, whether for your entire business or a project within your business.

Assistance for this part of the entry process is available through a series of free workshops provided by The Parramatta College.

To register for assistance contact Louise Zajac on Phone 9683 6655 or Email awards@wsabe.com.au Delivery of Entry submission(s) Deliver/Courier Post Awards Secretariat Awards Secretariat 2012 Western Sydney Awards 2012 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence for Business Excellence Suite 3 Level 1, 8-10 Palmer St PO Box 139 PARRAMATTA NSW 2150 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124 or

Email electronic copy to: awards@wsabe.com.au

closing date c.o.b friday 21 september 2012

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judging process The awards are judged by a panel of peak industry bodies, business and community leaders, selected by the Awards Steering Committee.

In reviewing your entry submission, the judges seek a clear understanding of your business and look for demonstrated excellence, innovation and entrepreneurial talent.

Judges may request a visit to your business to clarify, verify or expand upon information in your entry.

Judges may invite entrants to submit further information or material.

Judges may in certain circumstances, alter the entrant’s selected categories, without prejudice to the entry itself.

Judges may make additional awards in exceptional circumstances.

Judges reserve the right to not make an award in a specific category if they believe the entries do not reflect excellence.

The decisions of the judges are final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

the process involves Entry submission Businesses will qualify for consideration on the merit of their entry submission. Please provide a thorough yet succinct response to both the General and Specific Criteria relevant to your chosen Award Category.

Insufficiently answered or incomplete entries will not qualify.

Basic financial information is required as part of the judging process and is treated in strictest confidence.

Your entry submission may not qualify if this information is not included.

If deemed necessary, the judging panel may refer your entry to a more relevant category.You will be notified if this occurs.

Site Visit Judges may choose to visit all or some of the entrants to determine the Finalists. These site visits will be coordinated by the judging panel and take place at a mutually agreeable time. Judges will also determine Winning and Highly Commended companies, based on this site visit.

Results Determination Winning and Highly Commended businesses will be announced at the Gala Evening on Thursday, 11th October 2012.

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Recognition and Promotion These Awards will attract extensive media interest.

All entrants to the awards have the opportunity to participate in the Fairfax Community Newspaper Awards Feature. This will be a 4-6 page lift-out and will allow each entrant to promote their ‘Business Stories’. Discounted entrant rates will apply.

All Finalists will be profiled in the official awards publication produced and distributed at the Gala Evening, as well as receive a framed certificate.

Winning and Highly Commended businesses will be announced and presented with a certificate at the Gala Evening in the presence of the NSW members of Parliament, sponsors and other dignitaries. Other prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the sponsors.

Winning and Highly Commended businesses are listed/profiled in media reports.

Winning and Highly Commended businesses will be entitled to refer to their success in promotional and advertising material, after announcements are made. The official 2012 awards logo will be available to all Winning and Highly Commended businesses after the Gala Evening.

Winners of each category will be invited to a winners and VIP media brunch.

The celebrations and acknowledgements continue in a winners and VIP media brunch. This is an event where our winners will meet our VIP sponsors, business and media partners and dignitaries in a more intimate setting. The other role of this luncheon is to build our winners and partners advocacy program for the WSABE and the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce for the year ahead, and the importance of continued local support in recognising business excellence. This event will be held on the 25th October, 2012 and the venue is yet to be finalised.

Confidentiality All entry submissions will be considered commercial-in-confidence and will only be accessible to the Awards Secretariat, the judging panel and WSABE personnel contracted to assist the judging process.

Judges and contractors are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement before receiving entry submissions and declare any possible conflicts of interest.

Any details of businesses used for media purposes will be authorised by companies prior to publication.

Each entry must complete a Release Form, this will allow the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce to promote entrants and their businesses throughout the marketing program. All entry submissions are available for collection by the entrant after the conclusion of the awards.

Disclaimer WSABE accepts no liability regarding any loss of patent rights or commercial returns arising from participation in the 2012 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence.

Judging panel decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Any contact information provided is voluntary and protected by the Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998 (NSW). This information may be used to contact you regarding WSABE programs, or disclosed to third parties providing services to the WSABE program and for internal purposes.

Photographs taken by or on behalf of WSABE at any associated event may be used for WSABE promotional and/or media purposes.

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