This year, Lensink is encouraging and supporting a number of her clients to enter.
The application processes allowed business owners to take a broader look at how their business was faring: the kind of assessment she encouraged clients to do each year.
With entry coaching, entrants get good feedback along the way, Lensink said.
“It’s 100% a good way to do it.”
For Villa, winning its two awards was a great way to boost publicity and increase team morale, Lensink said.
Anné Lensink from Villa Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors says entering the awards is a great way to do an annual assessment.
Businesses don’t need to be perfect to enter, she said.
“Lots of businesses are a work in progress – you can still be proud of where you are and what you’ve achieved,” she said.
“It’s about success, not perfection.”
Megan Edwardson from Hair by ME in Whangārei encouraged people to take the time to enter, saying it was a great way to identify where a business was at.
Hair by ME was a finalist in the Excellence in Business – Small Business Award category last year and will be entering again this year.
Edwardson said businesses needn’t be afraid they were too small or not good enough to enter, with each assessed against their own goals.
Megan Edwardson from Hair By ME says entering the Northland Business Excellence Awards is a valuable thing to do.
The awards night was also a great opportunity to connect with other Northland businesses who might not have crossed paths before, she said.
“It’s a great opportunity to go and be in the same room as other people who are striving.”
The black-tie awards night was also a fun chance for the team to get dressed up and bond over their success, Edwardson said.
Awards co-ordinator Brittany Edwards said as well as celebrating success, the awards were about building Northland’s business capability, resilience and networks.
With business owners busier than ever this year, NorthChamber worked hard to support entrants, including simplifying the entry form and refreshing the guidelines.
One-on-one entry coaching and support was available right up to entry close-off on August 3.
As well as the business award categories, Northlanders were being encouraged to make nominations for the Northern Advocate Business Hall of Fame.
This award recognises people who are the backbone of the region, with nominations closing September 7.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.