Australian Business Awards
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Overview

The Australian Business Awards are a national awards program recognising the success, innovation and ethics of Australian companies and organisations across all industry sectors.

Conducted annually, the awards honour Australia's industry leaders through the acknowledgment of innovative business processes, product development, enterprise, sustainability and overall business success.

The awards also recognise the important social and environmental contributions made by organisations through excellence of service, commitment to their customers, philanthropic ideals, ethical behaviour and environmental sustainability.

The most comprehensive of its kind, the awards are open to any Australian company or organisation, private or public.

All entries are judged by a panel of business experts and academics based on specific criteria underpinned by the programs values of success, innovation and ethics.

Judges are chosen from professional consultants, university faculty, and industrial researchers with superior expertise and experience in the areas that they are judging.

The judging panel is carefully selected and coordinated by the Australian Business Awards to ensure that the judging process is fair and objective, free of bias or influence.

Receiving an Australian Business Award is an independent and prestigious endorsement of your organisation and the quality of the products and services your organisation produces.

If you are striving for excellence, the awards raise the bar across all aspects of business and provide you with ways to benchmark against top performers in your industry.

Submitting an entry provides your organisation with the opportunity to review its business performance and identify its core strengths.

A valuable resource of evidence and endorsement that can be put to good use in a variety of communications, creating opportunities for publicity, positive business profiling and heightened credibility within your industry.

The Awards are an opportunity for Australian companies to gain that competitive advantage by having their achievements recognised whilst highlighting their best products and services.

Conditions of Entry

How to Enter: Participants are required to register online to obtain the Australian Business Awards entry form and instructions. This is an automated process which enables instantaneous access.register now

Eligibility: All Australian companies and organisations, private or public are eligible to enter. This includes multi-national subsidiaries, government departments, agencies or bodies, franchisors and non-government organisations.

Industry Classifications: All entrants are adjudicated within their respective industry classification. The Australian & NZ Standard Industrial Classification (ABS 2006) is utilised to segment recipients to their respective industry.read more

Award Categories:There are a total of 20 award categories. These are divided into 10 organisational and 10 product award categories for each industry. Entrants may participate in multiple award categories however, a separate submission must be submitted for each award category entered.

Confidentiality: We do not publish the names of companies, organisations or their products that have not been shortlisted, nor will we reproduce any information from your entry. Therefore if you enter the awards, but are not successful, this will remain confidential. In addition, entrants may mark any commercially sensitive information contained in their entry as ‘not for publication'. The organisers reserve the right to use information contained in the winning entries (apart from contact details and any content marked not for publication) for subsequent publicity, promotions and other activities relating to the awards program. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.

Judging Panel: An esteemed and diverse panel of business experts and academics make up the judging panel. The panel is carefully selected to ensure that the judging process is fair and objective, free of bias or influence. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate and to stand aside from deliberations concerning those entries.

Evaluation Process: Entries will be judged on the basis of the information provided in the completed entry form, your submission and supporting materials. The judging process is conducted in two stages. An initial assessment of all submissions is completed in the first stage leading to a shortlist, followed by a second evaluation in the final stage. At the end of the final stage of the evaluation process, the judges select the winners for each of the award categories in each industry. Shortlisted entrants will be informed by confidential mail throughout the judging process. Award winners are notified prior to the public announcement.

Methodology: Entries are seperated by industry classification per award category. All entries are evaluated in accordance with the award key criteria across seven main areas: leadership, impact, adaptability, corporate culture, customer and market focus, uniqueness and evidence of success. The judges select the winners for each award category in each industry.

Accolades: This accolade acknowledges selected organisations as the industry leader in their respective industry. Subject to usage guidelines these organisations are eligible to publicise their achievement and display the Australian Business Awards symbol on their marketing and promotional material including the packaging and promotion of their award winning products and services. Recognised both nationally and internationally, the Australian Business Award symbol has provided a prestigious endorsement to Australia's leading organisations as well as enhancing the marketability of their products and services. A feature that distinguishes their products and services from their competitors. Following the public announcement, the winners are honoured with a framed certificate and licensed material in recognition of their achievement.

Licensing:
Use of the Australian Business Awards name and trademarks is only permitted under licence from the Australian Business Awards and must comply with the Australian Business Awards Licence Agreement. To enable the Australian Business Awards to recover its administrative costs related to the protection, licensing and proper use of the licensed material a condition of use is the payment of a licence fee. By participating in the awards program all entrants that successfully progress to the second stage of the judging process are required to pay the licence fee. The Australian Business Awards Licence Agreement and Fee Schedule can viewed upon entry registration.

Timetable for the 2009 Awards
Register to receive updates for upcoming programs
Entry details will be sent to registrants in Jan 2009
Entries will be accepted from Feb 2009

   
Business Awards
Categories and Key Criteria

Australian Business Award for Enterprise

Key Criteria: Organisations that have achieved outstanding commercial success and sustainable growth will be honoured with this award. Submissions should demonstrate initiative and a willingness to undertake bold new ventures and include evidence of sustainable growth and commercial success to levels that are outstanding for the size of the applicant's operations.

Australian Business Award for Innovation

Key Criteria: Organisations that introduce a new idea, method, technology, process or application of social and/or economic benefit of commercial significance will be recognised with this award. Submissions should include evidence of research, development and achievement which demonstrates outstanding contributions to their industry.

Australian Business Award for Service Excellence

Key Criteria: Organisations recognised with this award will provide evidence of consistent exceptional service and professionalism. Recipients of this award are required to demonstrate how they manage, monitor and measure customer expectations, satisfaction and retention.

Australian Business Award for E-Business

Key Criteria: Organisations recognised with this award will demonstrate innovative and strategic application of the internet, communications and information technology.

Australian Business Award for International Trade

Key Criteria: This award recognises outstanding achievement in international trade by an organisation in any industry sector. Submissions should include evidence of the level and sustainability of export sales, marketing activities and strategy, overall commitment to international business and ongoing financial viability. Achievements can include but are not limited to substantial and sustained increases in export activity, contributions to regional development, education or tourism.

Australian Business Award for Marketing Excellence

Key Criteria: This award recognises outstanding achievement in marketing strategy and execution. Recipients of this award are required to demonstrate how they have differentiated themselves from others in their industry. Submissions should include evidence of customer insight, innovation, clear and differentiated brand values, design excellence, effective use of marketing resources and where relevant brand extension.

Australian Business Award for Recommended Employer

Key Criteria: Organisations recognised with this award will demonstrate the provision of a stimulating and supportive workplace. Recipients of this award are required to demonstrate how its people development strategies have created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.

Australian Business Award for Community Contribution

Key Criteria: Organisations recognised with this award will demonstrate significant contribution to the community which includes examples of policies or projects that positively impact on the community and generate outcomes that have a long term benefit. Achievements can include, but are not limited to local employment, local education, initiatives in social enterprise and charitable work.

Australian Business Award for Environmental Sustainability

Key Criteria: Recipients of this award will demonstrate leadership and commitment to the enhancement, preservation and protection of the environment. Recognising outstanding achievement in adopting measures that minimise the environmental impacts of an organisation's operations through sustainable management practices in areas such as: energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials efficiency, waste reduction and recycling. Others may include but are not limited to the development of new or innovative environmental standards, techniques or practices, initiatives that result in an improved environmental footprint and the sustainable management of natural resources including soil, water resources, natural vegetation and wildlife.

Australian Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility

Key Criteria: Organisations which demonstrate a high standard of commitment in the way they organise and integrate their responsible business practices will receive this prestigious endorsement. Submissions should provide evidence of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy that integrates responsible business practice into their mainstream operations resulting in a positive impact in the workplace, the marketplace, the environment and the community.

Australian Business Award for Product Excellence

Key Criteria: Products recognised with this award will demonstrate overall product superiority offering a real point of difference with competitor products. Product refers to goods or services measured across all product elements including but not limited to design, quality, performance, functionality, features, technology, consistency, configuration, resilience, price, levels of service, after sales support, market reach and benefit to the marketplace.

Australian Business Award for Product Innovation

Key Criteria: This Award recognises products or services that demonstrate the introduction of a new idea, method, technology, process or application of benefit and/or commercial significance in the marketplace. Recipients of this award are required to demonstrate how they have differentiated themselves from others in their industry. Achievements can include but are not limited to improvements in the design, production, performance and scope of application of their product or service.

Australian Business Award for Product Quality

Key Criteria: This award recognises products that demonstrate a high level of product quality offering a real point of difference with competitor products. Submissions should provide evidence of excellence in the management of quality and a commitment to continuous improvement together with a sustained record of performance. Product refers to goods or services and is measured across all product elements including but not limited to design, functionality, features, performance, consistency, resilience, levels of service, after sales support and market position.

Australian Business Award for Best Value

Key Criteria: Products that deliver a genuine cost saving and offer a real point of difference with competitor products will be recognised with this award. Product refers to goods or services and is measured across all product elements including but not limited to value for money, quality, functionality, features, performance, consistency, configuration, resilience, levels of service, after sales support and market position.

Australian Business Award for Best Product Range

Key Criteria: Products recognised with this award will demonstrate overall product superiority offering a real point of difference with competitor products. Product refers to goods or services measured across all product elements including but not limited to design, quality, performance, functionality, features, technology, consistency, configuration, resilience, price, levels of service, after sales support, market reach and benefit to the marketplace.

Australian Business Award for Best New Product

Key Criteria: This award recognises market-leading products that, through excellence in research, development and/or manufacturing have launched an exciting and innovative new product that demonstrates substantial improvements in product features when compared to existing products already available on the market. Product refers to goods or services measured across all product elements including but not limited to design, quality, performance, functionality, features, technology, consistency, configuration, resilience, price, levels of service, after sales support, market reach and benefit to the marketplace.

Australian Business Award for Best Eco-Friendly Product

Key Criteria: Environmentally friendly products and services that demonstrate innovation and commitment to sustainable living will be honoured with this award. Submissions must include evidence of the application of sustainability principles with regard to the effect on the environment of the actual product or service in its use, production processes, labelling, packaging, distribution and its eventual disposal (where appropriate) as well as the consideration and management of the environmental aspects of the ‘whole of life’ cycle.

Australian Business Award for Best Organic Product

Key Criteria: Outstanding products that are produced according to organic standards that demonstrate overall product superiority offering a real point of difference with competitor products are recognised with this award. Products entered in this category must submit evidence of certification under the Australian Certified Organic criteria or equivalent and demonstrate ethical and environmentally sustainable principles that contribute to the overall benefit of people, plants, animals and the environment.

Australian Business Award for Design Excellence

Key Criteria: Products that demonstrate design of the highest quality, form, function and aesthetic will be honoured with this award. Submissions are measured across all aspects of design including concept, innovation, technology, visual impact, utility, functionality, materials, construction, ergonomics, longevity, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and compliance.

Australian Business Award for Brand Management

Key Criteria: This award recognises outstanding achievement in marketing strategy and execution.The brand that best demonstrates sustained marketing excellence that has driven business improvement over time. Recipients of this award are required to demonstrate how they have differentiated themselves from others in their industry through the marketing and distribution of their product or service. Submissions should include evidence of customer insight, innovation, clear and differentiated brand values, design excellence, effective use of marketing resources and where relevant brand extension.