Telstra Business Awards Nominations Open for 2019

Not for profits are being encouraged to nominate themselves for the 2019 Telstra Business Awards.

Now in its 27th year, the awards recognise Australia’s most innovative and entrepreneurial businesses across four categories: emerging and energised, small and succeeding, medium and making waves, and social change maker.

The social change maker category is for organisations that have positive social impact at “the core of their purpose”.

It is open to not-for-profit, social enterprise and profit-for-purpose organisations – contributing a minimum of 10 per cent of their profits back to the cause.

Telstra business awards ambassador and acting group executive of Telstra consumer and small business, Michael Ackland, said business owners and NFPs should take a chance by nominating themselves for this year’s awards.

He said while 2018 was a record-breaking year for nominations overall, businesses nominating themselves dropped by nearly 20 per cent.

“This tells us that Australia has many incredible small and medium businesses worthy of attention and commendation, but some may need a bit of encouragement to seek the recognition they deserve,” Ackland said.

“A successful business owner is a special breed with unique characteristics. They’re hungry. They’re creative. They’re bold. But at times, they’re also unsure.

“Having no one to answer to can be liberating, but it can also foster as much self-doubt as it can confidence. Applying for the Telstra Business Awards is a great way to put your business to the test and prove to yourself that you’re better than you think you are.”

As part of nominating, every entrant will receive a personalised in-depth business report with professional insights and advice to help guide future growth for the business or NFP.

Nominations for the awards are open until 7 March 2019.