AUT rewards the best in business support

By Idealog, November 7, 2012 @ 11:20 pm

Running a successful business is a collective effort, and so tonight 13 of New Zealand’s most significant business support organisations got a rare moment in the limelight as winners of the 2012 AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

The most anticipated award of the night went to Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business and the community over the past 21 years. Barnett won not only the individual category but the supreme prize.

In addition to the 13 winners (see full list below), chief executive of Gen-I Australasia Chris Quin, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Kordia Networks, and Onehunga High Business School were also highly commended for their dedication to business excellence.

Dean of AUT Business School Dr Geoff Perry says the quality of service offered by all of this year’s finalists is encouraging for the future growth of business in New Zealand.

“All entries go through a vigorous evaluation process that is overseen by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation, including evaluators from our own Management Department at AUT Business School. Excellence is then assessed using the international Baldrige criteria. With this in mind, the winners really have demonstrated they are top of their game."

With NZ Sign Language interpreters, and Braillised messaging on tickets and programmes, the AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards was also the first event in New Zealand to be accredited by Be Accessible (read more about Be Accessible and its quest to making New Zealand more accessible for all here).

2012 Excellence in Business Support Awards winners

SUPREME WINNER
Michael Barnett, CEO Auckland Chamber of Commerce

INDIVIDUAL WINNER

Michael Barnett, CEO Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Highly Commended: Chris Quin, CEO Gen-i Australasia (at time of nomination)

BUSINESS <5M TURNOVER MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Small Business Company

Highly Commended: Rotorua Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS <5M TURNOVER SALES & MARKETING

Plato Design Agency

BUSINESS <5M TURNOVER TECHNOLOGY

Optimal Usability