Thinking of entering the 2025 Unison Great Lake Taupō Business Awards? Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning entrant, this guide will help you craft an entry that captures your business story, meets the judging criteria, and puts your best foot forward.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
Why Enter the Awards?
These Awards are about much more than just winning a trophy. They’re a chance to:
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Get independent, professional feedback on your business
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Reflect on your performance, strategy and goals
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Raise your business profile in the local community
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Celebrate your team and boost morale
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Share your success and future plans with confidence
You don’t need to be a perfect business to enter – just ready to tell your story and proud of what you’ve achieved.
Award Categories
All entrants must enter Excellence in Strategy & Planning, and can then choose up to two additional categories:
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Excellence in Marketing
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Excellence in Innovation
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Excellence in Sustainability
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Excellence in Community Contribution
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Employer of the Year
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Best Emerging Business (for businesses less than three years old)
All finalists will also be considered for the prestigious Business of the Year award.
How Judging Works
The Awards judging process is thorough, fair and designed to support businesses at all stages of their journey.
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Stage One: Judges assess your written entry
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Stage Two: Finalists are invited to a site visit and pitch their business
Scoring is weighted as follows:
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65% Written entry
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35% Site visit and pitch
Each section of your entry is scored from 1 to 20, based on how well your business demonstrates capability and results – from starting out, to progressing, to mature or operating at a level of excellence.
What Does Excellence Look Like?
Not sure what the judges are really looking for? Here’s a quick snapshot of what excellence means in each of the award categories:
Excellence in Strategy & Planning
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A clear, documented business plan with specific goals and timelines
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Strategic challenges and opportunities are identified and addressed
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Progress is regularly reviewed
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Staff performance is aligned with strategic goals
Excellence in Marketing
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Defined target markets and a strategic marketing plan
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Strong brand identity and messaging
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Customer satisfaction is measured and informs decision-making
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Marketing efforts are evaluated and improved over time
Excellence in Innovation
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Innovation is embedded in the business culture and strategy
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Staff are encouraged to contribute new ideas
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Products, services or processes are continuously improved
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Innovation has led to measurable gains or improvements
Excellence in Sustainability
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Sustainability is a core part of the business’s operations and planning
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Actions address environmental, social and/or economic impacts
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Staff are engaged in sustainable practices
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Outcomes are tracked and shared with stakeholders
Excellence in Community Contribution
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The business actively supports and leads community initiatives
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Community work is aligned with company values and strategy
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Staff are encouraged to participate in community activities
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Contributions have delivered meaningful and measurable outcomes
Employer of the Year
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Vision and values are well communicated and embedded in the workplace culture
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Structured systems for performance reviews, training, and development
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High levels of employee engagement and retention
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A safe, inclusive, and positive working environment
Best Emerging Business
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A clear, well-researched business plan and startup strategy
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Demonstrated growth in revenue, customer base or team size
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Resilience in overcoming early-stage challenges
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Strong focus on customer needs and future planning
Structuring Your Entry – The STAR Method
Want your answers to stand out? Use the STAR method:
Situation – What was happening?
Task – What needed to be done or achieved?
Action – What did you or your team do?
Result – What was the outcome? Include real metrics or examples.
This helps you tell a clear story and show judges how you’ve made an impact.
Top Tips for a Winning Entry
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Answer the question clearly and directly
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Include specific examples and measurable outcomes
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Avoid jargon – use plain, engaging language
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Stick to the word or character limits
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Proofread thoroughly before submitting
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Leaving the entry to the last minute
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Not answering all parts of the question
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Writing in vague or general terms
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Forgetting to include evidence or examples
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Typos, grammar mistakes, or formatting issues
Your Next Steps
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Download the entry pack and read it carefully
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Talk to your team and gather input
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Start drafting your responses early
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Register for one of our drop-in clinics or webinars if you need help
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Submit before the deadline!
Entering the Awards is a powerful way to reflect on your business journey, gain clarity on your goals, and celebrate what makes your team special. Even if you don’t walk away with a trophy, you’ll come out better prepared for future growth and success.
If you have any questions or want support, feel free to get in touch. Good Luck!
