Excellence awards entry simplified

Entering Geelong Business Excellence Awards is easier than ever, according to organisers.
The “streamlined” process would encourage entries from more businesses, said Geelong Chamber of Commerce.
The 2017 changes limited each entry to 2000 words, including 250 for a summary of the business and how it operated, the chamber said.
Entrants also had a minimum 300 words to address each of the awards’ “five core criteria”: business achievements; marketing, customer services, people and culture; and financial management and risk.
The 2017 process impressed Clawbaby Pet Services Susie Blair, a previous entrant.
“The questions are simpler and easier to answer and a lot broader, which I think works better for small businesses as well,” Ms Blair said.
She was also rapt with the pre-entry support, including advice from judges and past winners.
“I attended an info expo and writing workshop and they were awesome. It was great to get that feedback and have all my questions answered.”
The going through the entry process was “a great health-check” for any business, Ms Blair said.
“When I did the review, I actually got to see how much I’ve achieved and that’s what I love about the awards – it makes you step back and review where you’re at and see how far you’ve come.”
The 2017 awards are set for a record field of entries after nominations tripled on 2016.
Entries must be uploaded to gbea.com.au and supplied in three hard copies to the chamber’s Moorabool Street office by 4pm, Monday 22 May.
The Geelong Indy is a sponsor of the Geelong Business Excellence Awards.