This award recognizes a business that demonstrates evidence of sustained growth. This business has a focus on growth and development and has processes in place that allow for growth.

Even those who may not see your ‘side hustle’ as a business

This award is divided into three categories – Large, Small & Microbusiness. 

This award is for Large Business – Over 20 employees

Judging criteria

• Business is in a state of growth/has growth improvement /potential  
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Customer loyalty
  • Business reputation
  • Scalable

Judging indicators

• Has growth goals
• Customer testimonials/feedback 
• Has plans in place for improvements and growth in revenue, improving cash flow, operational performance, productivity
• Market share and customer base are growing and/or expanded into new markets.

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This award recognises a business that demonstrates evidence of sustained growth. This business has a focus on growth and development and has processes in place that allow for growth.

Even those who may not see your ‘side hustle’ as a business

This award is divided into three categories – Large, Small & Microbusiness. 

This award is for Small Business – 6- 20 employees

Judging criteria

• Business is in a state of growth/has growth improvement /potential  
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Customer loyalty
  • Business reputation
  • Scalable

Judging indicators

• Has growth goals
• Customer testimonials/feedback 
• Has plans in place for improvements and growth in revenue, improving cash flow, operational performance, productivity
• Market share and customer base are growing and/or expanded into new markets.

This award recognises a business that demonstrates evidence of sustained growth. This business has a focus on growth and development and has processes in place that allow for growth.

Even those who may not see your ‘side hustle’ as a business

This award is divided into three categories – Large, Small & Microbusiness. 

This award is for Micro – <5(including the owner)

Judging criteria

• Business is in a state of growth/has growth improvement /potential  
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Customer loyalty
  • Business reputation
  • Scalable

Judging indicators

• Has growth goals
• Customer testimonials/feedback 
• Has plans in place for improvements and growth in revenue, improving cash flow, operational performance, productivity
• Market share and customer base are growing and/or expanded into new markets.

This award goes to a business leader who champions other businesses and the Mt. Gambier Business community. This person puts a spotlight on Mt Gambier and the industry that they work in, enhancing the profile of our community on the state/National stage.

Open to all business leaders and outward facing business leaders

Judging criteria

• Advocates for other businesses and the Mount Gambier Business Community
• Through their work, they put a spotlight not only on their business but other businesses and their industry.
• Acknowledge and celebrate other business success and seek out ways to acknowledge the hard work that business owners contribute to the local community.
• Have a significant and transformative impact on their business community by encouraging and modelling collaboration and collective success.
• Builds up colleagues and other business owners

This award recognises an organisation (not for profit, or social enterprise) that tackles social problems to improve their community or environment &/or makes positive change in our community. It celebrates the positive and life changing impact that this work can have on individual lives.

A social enterprise must derive its income primarily from trade rather than grants/donations

Judging criteria

• Has identified a need within our community
• Makes a positive impact
• Focused on creating sustainable change.
• Has clear and measurable metrics that measure the impact of change.

This award recognises inspirational business owners who demonstrate exemplary business practices and achievements, and who demonstrates cultural leadership and a commitment to their staff, customers, and community. This individual is invested in people and their growth and puts this at the heart of their business. They work to develop a culture of courage in their business that empowers their staff to take risks and to have a voice.

Recognised as an owner, within a business 

Judging criteria

• Has a commitment to excellence.
• Inspires and influences employees, managers, and other business leaders to continuously grow and achieve. Invested in their people and their development.
• Demonstrates evidence of cultural leadership, Vulnerability, bravery, building trust and give everyone a voice 
• Has a shared vision within their business
• Has a clear business plan and marketing strategy.
• Has an unwavering commitment to their customers/stakeholders.
• Has a commitment to their community and understands the transformative power of a business within their community.
• Principled
• Willing to innovate, take risks, make changes 
• Present and calm when things are difficult. 

This award recognizes an employee within a business. It recognises an individual who has demonstrated leadership and creativity and who has impacted on the success of the business.

• Does not have to be a business owner, EG; someone within a business 
• this is an operational focused award as opposed to strategic 
• this person doesn’t have to have a leadership role

Judging criteria

• Understanding of their leadership style with a focus on strengths and areas for improvement
• Inspires and influences team members & drives operational change in line with business vision & values
• Can articulate the role that their leadership plays in the business and how it impacts on the outcomes
• Capacity to identify leadership challenges and wins

This award celebrates a purpose-led business. This business leader builds an organisational culture that values diversity and fosters employee wellbeing, engagement & empowerment.

There is no specific eligibility criteria for this award. 

Judging criteria

• Business is purpose driven and can clearly articulate its WHY – its reason for being.
• Vision and Mission are clearly communicated with staff. 
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion sits at the heart of the business culture.
• Wellbeing initiatives have been developed and there exists an understanding of the connections between wellbeing, engagement, and retention.
• Demonstrates an understanding of how to build and develop culture

Judging indicators

• Diversity in recruitment processes
• Leaders accessible
• Relationships exist outside of work.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities for staff
• Transparent systems and communication in place
• Staff engagement and retention rates are high.
• Congruence exists between values and actions/physical artefacts/policies
• Advocates for safety and inclusion