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Entry InformationWelcome to the 2016 Wheatbelt Business Excellence Awards.

The Nomination Criteria for the Awards, aligns with the Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards. Winners, (of eligible categories) can have the opportunity to be submitted into the Regional Awards, meaning one application - two awards (for winners of eligible categories – no guarantees of being a finalist into these Awards).

Once you decide to enter the 2016 Wheatbelt Business Excellence Awards, you immediately begin to procure the rewards. Preparation of your submission gives you a fresh perspective and new insights into future strategies for the growth and development of your business. It also gives you a rare opportunity to stop and reflect how far your business has already come.

The entry process has been deliberately designed to help you focus on key aspects of your business: Business Model Customer Care Business Performance

Regardless of whether your business is named a winner this year or in the future, you'll have a valuable opportunity to benchmark your performance.

The awards are open to all businesses in the Wheatbelt, however businesses will enter the awards according to the sub region the business completes a majority of their work in. There are five sub regions of the Wheatbelt. We will be holding three award nights accordingly:

Southern sub region – awards will be held in Narrogin on Friday 15th July 2016Central east and Avon sub regions – awards will be held in Kellerberrin on Friday 15 th July in 2016Coastal and Northern sub regions – awards will be held in Moora on Friday 22nd July 2016

What the 2016 Wheatbelt Business Excellence Awards can do for your business!

As a Finalist you gain the prestige and satisfaction through significant public recognition of your achievements. Winners (of eligible categories) are eligible for the Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards. Your staff and associates will share in your success and will be motivated to continue to strive for

excellence. Like past Award Winners, you will enjoy a distinct business advantage through the enhancement of your

organisation’s image and standing. Winners are entitled to use the 2016 Wheatbelt Business Excellence Awards logos on their stationery, labels,

packaging and marketing communications. All finalists receive a certificate and recognition.

How to EnterEntry Checklist

☐ Determine if you are eligible (see below).

☐ Complete a Submission by addressing the Selection Criteria relevant to your submission. Your Submission must address the performance of your business against the Selection Criteria for the Award(s) applied for. If you believe a specific criterion is not applicable to you, please state the reason(s) in the space allocated for that criterion.

Tip from the Awards Coordinator – Don’t get too caught up in the submission process! Take the opportunity to convey to the judges what you are proud of in your business – don’t overthink it. The questions are generic in nature so some will apply to your business more than others. There is no expectation that you submit an academic thesis – it is a local awards program not a PHD so have fun with it!

☐ Your submission needs to be succinct and NOT EXCEED THE LISTED MAXIMUMS. Exceeding these maximums while addressing the selection criteria will detract from your submission and result in a lower rating.

☐ You may include an additional five A4 pages of supporting documentation in your application. This could include business brochures, planning documents, advertising, customer feedback a summary of why you deserve to be selected as the winner of this category, etc.

☐ Your FULL APPLICATION of no more than 14 pages (maximum eight pages addressing selection criteria, plus up to five supporting documentation, plus entry form) should include 1 hard copy and 1 digital copy of your Submission (including all supporting documentation with each copy) – digital to be emailed to [email protected]

☐ Inspirational quote, of 7 to 10 words, from the business owner describing their business experience/motto.

Closing date for submissions will be 5pm, Wednesday 1st June 2016

SPONSORS

mailto:[email protected]

Award CategoriesAward category Primary eligibility criteria

Home-based Business The business is operated either at home (you carry out most of the work at your home) or from home (and business does not own or rent any premises other than your home). (WARSBA eligible)

Micro Business (0-4 Employees)

The business must employ fewer than four staff members (full-time or equivalent) at the time of your application to your local awards.(WARSBA eligible)

Business with5 – 10 Employees

The business must employ five to ten staff members (full-time or equivalent) employees at the time of your application to your local awards.(WARSBA eligible)

Business with11 plus Employees

The business must employ eleven plus staff members (full-time or equivalent) employees at the time of your application to your local awards.(WARSBA eligible)

Franchise Business The business must be part of a franchise and carry out all business activities in-line with the requirements of their franchise agreement.(WARSBA eligible)

Business Local Achiever Award The business must be or was a Business Local WA client – new applications and also

judged from all existing applications

Aboriginal Business Aboriginal Business of the Year is judged from all the entrants who have addressed the Criterion and are owned or managed by an Aboriginal/Indigenous person/s.(WARSBA eligible)

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Young Entrepreneur of the Year is judged from all entrants of categories who have addressed the Criterion and the owner/s are under 30yrs of age in the calendar year.

Excellence in Innovation

Excellence in Innovation is judged from all entrants of categories who have addresses the Criterion and has achieved measurable success and/or made significant contributions to their industry through the introduction or improvement of an idea, method, technology, process or application.

Business Of The YearBusiness of the Year is judged from the winners of categories who have addressed the Criterion. The Business with the overall highest aggregate shall be announced Business of the Year.

Secondary eligibility criteriaYou are eligible to apply if you:

Are a Wheatbelt based business (as per the Wheatbelt Development Commission map) with an ABN. Meet the Judging Criteria for your nominated category.

Selection CriteriaSubmissions will be evaluated on the basis of how well they address the Selection Criteria. Your submission should demonstrate how your business meets the criteria. Wherever possible, we recommend you use specific examples to illustrate your claims.

Criteria descriptions % of assessment

1. Business overview 0%

Provide a general overview of your business, a brief history and an indication of the business structure. You should provide the judges with sufficient information as to how your business meets the criteria for this category and is eligible for this award. (200 words max)

2. Business model TOTAL 50%

2.1 Products/services

What products/services does your business provide? (350 words max)

What innovative business practices does your business employ? (350

words max)

15%

2.2 Marketing

Who is your target market? (250 words max)

Describe your marketing strategies and their effectiveness. (250 words max)

What is your competitive advantage? Describe what makes your business

special or unique. (250 words max)

10%

2.3 Staffing

Do you employ staff Yes/No? (If no, go to section 2.4. 5% will be added to Marketing and 5% added to Vision)

What recruitment strategies do you use? (250 words max)

What strategies do you use for retaining and motivating staff? (250 words max)

10%

Criteria descriptions % of assessment

2.4 Vision

What are your plans for business growth? (250 words max)

Do you have plans to enter new markets or expand your reach into existing

markets? (250 words max)

How do you determine the strategic (long term) direction of your business? (250

words max)

15%

3. Customer care TOTAL 25%

What strategies does your business use to attract customers? (250

words max)

What strategies does your business use to retain customers? (250

words max)

How does your business measure customer satisfaction? (250 words max)

4. Business performance TOTAL 25%

Give details of how you actively monitor performance (250 words max)

Entry TipsThe information set out below is designed to provide a simple guide for you to complete your application and be one that the judges will find comprehensive, informative and interesting to read.

Once you have completed all the sections, re-read what you have typed to ensure you’ve covered every aspect of your business.

Have someone from within the business read through your submission to see if you’ve missed anything. Then have a friend or colleague who knows your business to also have a read through. Take on all their comments and if worthy, try to incorporate their suggestions.

The judging process will not initially include a site visit, but will be left at the discretion of the judge if he/she feels it necessary. When writing a submission, keep the following in mind:

Keep it clear and concise.

Demonstrate growth, include financial ratios, percentages or statements.

Look at the judging criteria and address each point.

Show why your business should be the winner. What makes it special?

Tell a story and capture the business character.

Keep the information relevant to the past year.

Formatting Suggestions

To ensure the submission is easy to read, consider the following suggestions:

Use size 11 font, using either Arial, Tahoma or Times New Roman font type.

Use clear headings; Use bullet points.

Keep paragraphs short.

Make sure the document is well spaced and not cramped on the page.

Criteria Guide Notes/Submission FormBelow is a suggestive guide to assist in answering each section of the selection criteria. Please remember to take note of the maximums listed.

1. State how your business fulfils the category definition: (200 words max) In this section you should provide a general overview of your business, maybe a brief history and an

indication of the business structure. Collectively, this should supply sufficient information to the judges as to why you qualify for this category. As with all the sections in the application process, be sure to use your entire word limit and really sell the positives in your business.

In completing the sections below, you may find that your need to slightly repeat information that you may have already covered – this is not a problem, just keep in mind the focus of each section and answer appropriately. Remember the judges know nothing of you and your business; tell them exactly who you are, what you do and how well you do it.

Click here to enter text.

2. Business model: 50% of total assessment

2.1 Products/services (15%): What products/services does your business provide? (350 words max)

This section is somewhat self-explanatory but be sure to expand and provide as much interesting detail as possible. It may be that you sell tyres – describe the types and range you provide and who they’re best suited to. Do you repair tyres? What about wheel alignments, are they part of what you do? Do you follow-up with customers? Let the judges know what makes your products or services so special.


What innovative business practices does your business employ? (350 words max)When you work in your business day in day out, the innovative aspects of what you do may seem just the norm to you – but for the judges that’s what makes you stand out from the crowd. You may have innovative ways of marketing, recruiting, ordering, manufacturing or even accounting. Let the judges know any aspect of your business that you feel is innovative or different that ultimately makes your business operate extremely well.


2.2 Marketing (10%): Who is your target market? (250 words max)

You’re obviously in business to make money – so who are your main customers and perhaps your secondary customers? Who do you actively chase the most business from? You may be a Vet and so you may describe your customers as pet owners. While that’s true, it’s also fairly broad. For starters your target market will be pet owners but they will be restricted to your own geographic area – write it down and be clear. You may specialise in dogs, cats and birds so reptile or tropical fish owners are not catered for.


Describe your marketing strategy. Is it effective? (250 words max)Once you’ve identified the particular target markets for your business, now it’s time to tell the judges just how you attract the customer. Detail the ways in which you attract the paying customers – is it word of mouth, advertising (radio, newspaper paper etc.), letterbox drops or you may some other innovative ways you attract customers. Again if you’re a Vet you may sponsor a puppy school. How effective is your plan?


What is your competitive advantage? Describe what makes your business special or unique? (250 words max)As the question says – what makes your business special or unique is all about selling the ‘sizzle’ of what you’re all about. This section is where you get to describe those aspects of your business that set it apart from your competitors. What makes customers call you first? Is it the range of products you sell? – broader that anyone in the region perhaps? Or is it your range of services – available 24/7, no weekends or no after-hours call out fee.


2.3 Staffing (10%): What recruitment strategies do you use? (250 words max)

Tell the judges just how you go about recruiting staff. Do you place ads in the local paper or are there specific skills required where you may need to advertise State or even Australian wide. Do you recruit through local educational institutions? However you go about recruiting staff to your business – innovative or otherwise – provide the judges with all the details.


What strategies do you use for retaining and motivating staff? (250 words max)In this section you may touch on aspects of the two following areas of training and rewarding staff – and that’s fine. The key will be to leave the finer detail for when you cover that particular section below. In addition, provide as much information as possible on other ways that you keep or retain staff. Again you may be innovative in your approach – be sure to tell the judges all about it.


2.4 Vision (15%): What are your plans for business growth? (250 words max)

If we stand still for too long the grass can grow underneath us. Business is no different to life in that the best one’s are the dynamic one’s – always looking at growing or improving. Your business plan should be able to provide you with the relevant information that the judges will be keen to see. You may also wish to talk about business growth you have undertaken recently. Here’s your chance to make the judges excited about the future of your business.


What systems do you have in place for reviewing and improving your business processes? (250 words max)Whether it’s written in your Business Plan or not, you’re bound to have ways that you look internally at what you do to see if there are better ways of doing the many day to day things that collectively make up your business. Tell the judges exactly what systems you have in place for this.


How do you determine the strategic (long term) direction of your business? (250 words max) This is your business – you must know which direction you’re headed and how you plan on getting there. Does your Business Plan outline your Mission – what you’re currently doing in and with the business and also your Vision?


3. Customer care: 25% of total assessment What strategies does your business employ to attract customers? (250 words max)

This part can have elements from the Marketing section but rather than talk about target markets and strategies, this is about what you actually do to get the customers coming through the door, calling your number, or logging on to your website. How do the customers find you and how successful are there strategies?


What strategies does your business use to retain customers? (250 words max)Do you have a loyalty program; do you maintain a customer database where you contact customers with things like specials or what’s new with the business or is it the quality of your staff and customer service that keeps people coming back. Simply let the judges know the steps you have in place to keep the customers returning. This may be part of the overall Customer Service Plan (next section).


How does your business measure customer satisfaction? (250 words max)In a restaurant you invariably get asked “how was everything, did you enjoy your meal” – that’s one way a business can measure customer satisfaction – direct feedback from customers. You should have your own way of measuring just what customers think of your business, your service or the products you sell. The judges will love to hear great stories of customer feedback and satisfaction.


4. Business performance: 25% of total assessment

Give details of how you actively monitor performance. (250 words max) This section is where you bring everything together about the business. The judges will want to know just how you are performing when your results are compared against the details in your business plan or a strategic plan or even at staff / board / family meetings.


Note: ConfidentialityAll submitted nominations and applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.

JudgingJudging is conducted by a panel, selected by WBN. The Judging Panel reserves the right to move entrants into other appropriate categories. Judges are looking for demonstrated quality in submissions and base their decision solely on the documentation provided. Supporting material such as brochures and samples should only be included where you believe it will assist the submission.

Western Australian Regional Small Business AwardsWinners (of eligible categories only) of Southern Wheatbelt Business Awards will be eligible to be nominated in the Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards. These awards are open exclusively to winners of regional Business Awards and bring state-wide recognition for finalists along with substantial prizes for category winners.

Submissions 1 hard copy delivered to:

Wheatbelt Business NetworkPO Box 309

NAREMBEEN WA 6369

AND 1 copy emailed to

Caroline [email protected]

Application SupportContact Lisa, Tanya or Caroline from the WBN and we can provide you with support for your application.

Tanya FrenchM 0429 879 430

E [email protected]

Lisa O’NeillM 0429 879 430

E [email protected]

Caroline RobinsonPH 9880 8035

E [email protected]





Wheatbelt Business Excellence Awards

2016 Awards Entry FormBusiness Name: Click here to enter Business Name.

Postal Address: Click here to enter Address.

Applicant/Contact Name: Click here to enter Name.

Phone: Click here to enter phone. Fax: Click here to enter fax.

Email: Click here to enter email.

Are you under 30yrs? (Applicable for Young Entrepreneur of the Year award): Choose an item.

Which Wheatbelt sub region are you in (please select)?

Southern ☐ Avon ☐ Central East ☐ Coastal ☐ Northern ☐

We are entering into the following category:

Award Category Please select Award Category Please select

Home-based Business ☐ Franchise Business ☐

Micro Business (0-4 Employees) ☐ Aboriginal Business ☐

Business with 5 – 10 Employees ☐Business with11 plus Employees

☐

Entrants Declaration

In submitting this entry:I/we acknowledge that the judging panel decision is final and will not be subject to any challenge. I/we acknowledge that submissions and support material will not be returned. I/we agree that any material supplied in this submission may be reproduced in media announcements and Wheatbelt Business Network publications except that which is identified as confidential.

Signature of Applicant: Click here to enter signature.

Entry Guidelines Your FULL APPLICATION of no more than 14 pages (maximum eight pages addressing selection criteria, plus

up to five supporting documentation, plus this Awards Entry Form) should include 1 hard copy AND 1 digital copy of your Submission (including all supporting documentation with each copy).

Inspirational quote, of 7 to 10 words, from the business owner describing their business experience/motto. Submit by no later than, 5.00pm Wednesday 1st June 2016

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