This varies by business but it could take about 20 to 30 hours in total. Having all the information you need at the beginning can help you finish it more quickly. Here’s a list of information you’ll need to complete your entry.
You can win your category Award and the overall state and territory Award. Also, if your business is located outside the metro area of your state or territory, you’ll be eligible for the Telstra Regional Award.
Yes, your entire entry will be assessed at each stage. We encourage you to read each question before starting your response, to ensure it’s accurate and not repetitive.
No. However, if your business is located outside the metropolitan area of your State or Territory, you simply need to answer ‘Yes’ to question number 0.2.3 on your entry.
It’s essential to complete these questions accurately. If you’re not sure ask your accountant for help. If you progress to the second stage, you’ll need to have confirmation of the figures supplied by your accountant.
Judges are looking for concise, relevant and honest answers. They’ll review every answer to gain a better understanding of your business principles, philosophies and practices. You should be able to demonstrate not only how successful your business has been so far, but also your plans and vision for the future.
Judges are chosen independently from a pool of National business experts. All judges sign a confidentiality agreement and we also make sure that everything you tell us is treated with the strictest confidence.
If you’re a short-listed entrant, two judges will visit your business for around two hours, at an agreed time, between May and June 2013. You will also be asked for financial information from your accountant at this stage. If you progress to the National Awards, you plus someone else from your business will be interviewed in Sydney on the 21st August 2013.
Once you’ve completed your online entry, you’ll receive a Business Health Check
report by Tuesday 10 April 2012. The results are based on your responses to the tick-box questions.
This free report evaluates business performance against independent benchmarking of core business indicators, including business planning and performance, customer and financial management, HR, sales, marketing and product development. It can help you check your vital signs and identify opportunities for growth and expansion.
It was developed by Telstra Business together with the NSW Business Chamber. Over the years, this process has been regularly refined and updated and includes international benchmarking standards, such as the Global Reporting Index and the Innovation Standard.
All submitted entrants can download their Business Health Check from their Telstra Australian Business Awards account. Businesses will be emailed when their report is ready to download and all reports will be available by Tuesday 10 April 2012.
The events are a great way to celebrate your team’s success, and we encourage you to bring them along to share in the night. If you progress to the judging stage, you’ll need to be available for site visits and judging interviews. If your business is named as a finalist, you’ll need to be available for the relevant State/National Business Workshop, and also the State/National Awards event.