Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards
News Update
22 March 2007
‘Chief Vodka Bloke’ shows the way forward for growing Manukau businesses
“Zig when the others zag”, 42 Below Vodka Founder Geoff Ross told over 100 business representatives at the official
launch of the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards last night.
It was Ross’s off-beat and memorable approach to marketing his home-grown brand of Vodka that led to the multiple
award-winning brand’s immense national and international success.
New and emerging businesses should take heart from Ross’s belief that the fact that New Zealand is small and
geographically distant from many major markets may be one of the reasons that we can excel, because we are great at
doing a lot with a little.
While Ross, who has a background in advertising but went out on a limb to develop 42 Below Vodka in his garage, inspired
the audience to ‘think big’when making plans for the future, Mayor of Manukau Sir Barry Curtis spoke about the
excellence intrinsic to Manukau’s 22,000 businesses. Greg Byrne of Westpac detailed the Bank’s involvement in Awards
programmes. Enterprising Manukau’s Chief Executive Gaelle Deighton spoke about the process of entering the Awards, and
the 2006 Westpac Business of the Year winner, John Beck of Styrobeck Plastics Limited, revealed the huge boost that his
company’s win has given his organisation, in many different ways.
Over the years, many world-leading companies have been involved in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards, and
past winners also include Rayglass Boats, Epic Packaging, Villa Maria Estate, and tourism retailer Kiwi Discovery.
While these companies range in size from just three stores to vast international brands, they possess one characteristic
in common: the ability to achieve excellence in all aspects of their operation.
With entry categories including employer of choice, exporting and tourism through to small business, manufacturing,
innovation, customer service, emerging business, workplace safety, and community contribution, there is a chance for any
type of business to succeed.
Consultants from Enterprising Manukau are available to assist businesses with their entries, including a series of
seminars and workshops. Entries close on 22 June, with finalists announced on 19 July.
Business managers and owners interested in attending the Launch or entering the Awards should visit www.bizawards.co.nz
or contact Enterprising Manukau on 09 262 2244.
ENDS