Awards winners get much more than prizes

The Supreme Winner of 'The David Awards 2008: heroes in small business' could not have been more stoked. David Rouse of Auckland Auto Clinic took away a trophy, a mini notebook from HP, a suite of office furniture from Warehouse Stationery and a year's worth of advertising on HomebizBuzz.co.nz - the online resource for small and home businesses.

But the biggest win was still to come the very next week his customers received a letter proclaiming the win and offering special celebration deals; his advertising trumpeted the same.

"To actually win was the biggest pat on the back I've ever had in business, it was just the boost that I needed!" says Rouse. "Since winning the award I've had even more enthusiasm, and in the face of what others are calling a recession, our business is growing steadily.

"I highly recommend to all small business owners to at least go through the process of applying - it will help you more than you think and you never know what doors it might open!"

The inaugural 2008 Awards attracted 90 entries, and this year the organisers are expecting plenty more. "So many small businesses are run by ordinary people doing extraordinary things," says Heather Douglas who runs www.homebizbuzz.co.nz and is the driving force behind The David Awards. "They make up the backbone of New Zealand's economy, yet are frequently under-recognised." Entry to The David Awards is open to any small business owner employing up to 10 FTE employees and based in New Zealand.

Winning an award such as this can give a business a great deal of profile and credibility, and there is always consensus among those who enter business awards that the actual process of writing an entry is beneficial. Annette Rose of Maskworx said afterwards, "Since entering the inaugural David Awards we have made great strides ahead, as if 'putting yourself out there' somehow galvanizes action!"

All entrants, finalists and winners qualify for The David Awards logo for use on their websites and promotional material, and none go away empty-handed.

A full list of prizes is published on www. thedavidawards.co.nz along with all details for entering the 2009 awards.