CRITERIA TO ADDRESS

You will be asked to provide:

• Company Name
• ABN
• Primary Industry
• Award Category/Categories being entered (you can enter as many categories as you want)

You will be asked to complete the following panel. All businesses must complete the panel or the judges may choose not to consider your entry.

Please detail where your employees are based. How many are on the Gold Coast, throughout Australia and overseas.

Describe what your business does on a day-to-day basis, who it primarily serves, and the core reason your business exists.

Describe when, how and why your business was established and how it has evolved over time. Include key turning points, growth phases, or challenges, the current ownership and leadership structure, and the market or customer segment you are focused on today.

Describe your main products and/or services and describe any enhancements made in recent years.

Explain how you attract, retain, and grow your customer base. Describe one or two key marketing activities or channels you actively use, why you chose them, and how you measure whether they are effective.

Describe how your business is managed in practice. Provide examples the culture of the organisation, and how leaders set direction, support staff development, recognise performance, and make decisions that contribute to business stability, growth, or improvement. Other concerns that can be discussed include risk management, cybersecurity, technology maturity.

Describe how your manufacturing operations are managed. Provide examples of efficiency improvements, quality controls, technology adoption, sustainability initiatives, or supply chain management, and explain the impact these have had on performance or outcomes.

Describe how your business supports customers before, during, and after delivery of your product or service. Include examples of how you collect feedback, respond to issues, and improve the customer experience over time.

Explain how family ownership or involvement operates within the business. Describe who is involved, their roles, and how responsibilities are managed, including any systems in place to support continuity, accountability, or succession.

Describe a specific example of a significant innovation introduced in your business in recent years. This may relate to products, services, processes, or management practices. Explain why it was introduced, how it was implemented, and what outcomes or improvements resulted, backed by data-driven evidence.

Provide examples of how your business supports skills development, training, or employment pathways. This may include internal training, work experience, apprenticeships, graduate programs, or partnerships. Explain the outcomes for participants and the business.

Describe specific actions your business has taken to ensure accessibility and inclusion for employees, customers, or the broader community. Include examples of policies, physical changes, service design, or cultural practices, and their impact.

Outline the environmental practices implemented in your business. Describe specific initiatives related to sustainability, waste reduction, energy or water use, or emissions, and explain why they were adopted and what measurable outcomes have been achieved.

Describe your exporting activities. Identify key markets, products or services exported, and outline any challenges, growth strategies, or results achieved through exporting.

Describe up to three significant achievements in the past 2-3 years. These may include awards, grants, major growth milestones, or strategic goals achieved. Explain why each achievement was significant to the business.

Describe how your business contributes to the community beyond commercial activity. Provide examples of community partnerships, sponsorships, volunteering, or pro bono work, and explain the impact of this involvement.

Outline your business’s strategic priorities for the next 3-5 years. Describe planned initiatives, growth areas, or improvements, and explain how these plans align with your business’s long-term sustainability or vision.

Explain what differentiates your business from competitors. Describe one or two specific strengths or capabilities that give you an advantage in your market, supported by examples or evidence.

Applicants may upload up to three (3) supporting attachments (e.g. photos, brochures, testimonials, organisational charts) to support their application. Upload here, maximum file size xx)

We can have an independant business writer contact you and put your submission together for a small fee. This doesn't guarantee anything, it is purely an option for those who prefer not to do their own presentation.