AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards (ACBA) 2015 Information Pack CONTENTS About ACBA 2 Award Categories 3 Eligibility Criteria 4 Judging Criteria 6 Judging Process 7 1
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIA-CHINA BUSINESS AWARDS The AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards (ACBA) has for 22 years been a means of recognising companies that have worked to deliver Australian products or services to the Greater China region. These awards have grown in stature over the years and are now acknowledged as a high-profile celebration. The Awards recognise the success of Australian business communities in Greater China across a broad spectrum, from small entrepreneurs right through to some of Australia s largest publically listed companies. The winners of the AustCham Westpac ACBAs are announced at a black-tie gala dinner that rotates annually between major cities across Greater China. In 2015, the ACBA Awards Dinner will be held in Hong Kong on Thursday 28 May. Media coverage in both China and Australia will ensure the remarkable achievements of Australian business in China are shared to a wide audience. ACBA is now recognised as the most prestigious awards for Australian business success across the Greater China region. In addition to extensive peer recognition, finalists and winners benefit from an extensive promotional campaign that reaches media, government entities and leading business decision makers across Greater China and in Australia. 2
AWARD CATEGORIES Business Excellence Award for Agriculture, Food & Beverage The Agriculture, Food & Beverage Award recognises an Australian company that has performed with excellence and demonstrated commercial success in Greater China in the field of agriculture, food & beverage over the past year. Business Excellence Award for Business Innovation The Business Innovation Award recognises an Australian company whose significant innovation has resulted in the successful development of opportunities in Greater China. Business Excellence Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Natural Resources The Construction, Infrastructure and Natural Resources Award recognises outstanding contribution by an Australian company to a project involving architecture, construction, engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining or natural resources in Greater China over the past year. Business Excellence Award for Education & Training The Education & Training Award recognises an Australian company that has performed with excellence and demonstrated commercial success in Greater China in the field of education and training over the past year. Business Excellence Award for Services The Services Award recognises an Australian company that has performed with excellence in professional services including accounting, administration, business management, business support, design, finance, hospitality management, IT, legal, supply chain & logistics, marketing and market research in Greater China over the past year. Business Excellence Award for Start-Up Enterprises The Start-Up Enterprises Award recognises an Australian company formed since 1 January 2012 that has performed with excellence and achieved outstanding results through creative initiatives in Greater China. Business Excellence Award for Sustainability & Social Impact The Sustainability & Social Impact Award recognises an Australian company for its outstanding implementation of policies and initiatives that demonstrate corporate social responsibility, leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability or social impact in Greater China over the past year. People s Choice Award for Advancement of Women in Business* The People s Choice Award recognises an individual Australian for their effort in promoting women s equality and advancement in the workplace within the Australian business community in Greater China. The People s Choice Award is for an individual that ACBA Advisory Group, Judging Panel and Members of AustCham Greater China believe has contributed the most in promoting women in business within the Australian business community across Greater China in the past year. The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau Rm 301-2, 3/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2522 505 Fax: (852) 2877 0860 Website: www.austcham.com.hk 1/12/2015 11:32 AM 3
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards recognise the successes of Australian business in Greater China. The Awards are given to competition finalists who, in the opinion of the judging panel, best meet the criteria explained below. Any company entering the Awards is required to abide by the following set of Criteria: 1. The organisation must be an Australian company. (see definitions) 2. Organisations can enter in more than one category, but may only win in one category. 3. Winners from previous years are eligible to apply. 4. Sponsors are prohibited from entering themselves into the category that they sponsor. 5. The applicant must maintain appropriate business ethics and demonstrate a commitment to legal obligation including anti-bribery laws, both in Australia and overseas markets. 6. The Business Excellence Award for Agriculture, Food & Beverage recognises an Australian company that has performed with excellence and demonstrated commercial success in Greater China in the field of agriculture, food & beverage over the past year. 7. The Business Excellence Award for Business Innovation recognises an Australian company whose significant innovation has resulted in the successful development of opportunities in Greater China. 8. The Business Excellence Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Natural Resources recognises outstanding contribution by an Australian company to a project involving architecture, construction, engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining or natural resources in Greater China over the past year. 9. The Business Excellence Award for Education & Training recognises an Australian company that has performed with excellence and demonstrated commercial success in Greater China in the field of education and training over the past year. 10. The Business Excellence Award for Services recognises an Australian company that has performed with excellence in professional services including accounting, administration, business management, business support, design, finance, hospitality management, IT, legal, supply chain & logistics, marketing and market research in Greater China over the past year. 11. The Business Excellence Award for Start-Up Enterprises recognises an Australian company formed since 1 January 2012 that has performed with excellence and achieved outstanding results through creative initiatives in Greater China. 12. The Business Excellence Award for Sustainability & Social Impact recognises an Australian company for its outstanding implementation of policies and initiatives that demonstrate corporate social responsibility, leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability or social impact in Greater China over the past year. 13. The People s Choice Award for Advancement of Women in Business recognises an individual Australian for their effort in promoting women s equality and advancement in the workplace within the Australian business community in Greater China. The People s Choice Award is for an individual that ACBA Advisory Group, Judging Panel and Members of The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau Rm 301-2, 3/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2522 505 Fax: (852) 2877 0860 Website: www.austcham.com.hk 12/01/2015 11:32 AM 4
AustCham Greater China believe has contributed the most in promoting women in business within the Australian business community across Greater China in the past year. 14. All applicants consent to have their company name, logo, photographs and digital media used periodically by media for the promotion of the Awards. Applicants will need to supply a high-resolution logo for this purpose. 15. The members of the Judging Panel will be selected by the AustCham Westpac Australia- China Business Awards Advisory Group in consultation with the supporting chambers of commerce. The Advisory Group, in consultation with the supporting chambers of commerce, may add, remove or replace members of the Judging Panel, where necessary. 16. The Judging Panel may consider a nominee in a category other than that in respect of which it has nominated. Any decision of the Judging Panel with respect to categorisation of a nominee will be final and not subject to review. 17. In making decisions concerning Awards, the Judging Panel shall take into account what in its discretion it considers to be all relevant factors but shall have particular regard to financial viability, growth and success, and internal organisation. Nominees shall be required to confirm that all information provided by them in connection with the Awards is true and accurate in all respects. Any nomination found to contain false or misleading information will be disqualified. The Judging Panel will use its best endeavours to: a. Fairly and reasonably consider any other material and information, in addition to that provided by nominees, that it believes is relevant to the Award category and Judging Criteria; and b. Take such action as it believes necessary to verify information submitted by nominees; c. All decisions of the Judging Panel shall be final and not subject to review. 18. A list of nominating companies and organisations received may be posted on the Australia China Business Awards website, www.austcham-china.com. 19. The AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards Advisory Group, in consultation with the supporting Chambers of Commerce, may change these rules at any times where necessary. 20. Any company may nominate itself by filling in the Nomination Form and send back to: vicentia.lee@austcham.com.hk or in hard copy to The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Room 301-2, 3/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. 21. Nomination form to be completed in English. Definitions: a) An Australian company means a company, partnership, association or other legal entity, which is substantially owned or operated by citizens or residents of Australia and which carries out business within Greater China. In determining this, the Judging Panel will take into consideration, amongst other factors, the percentage of Australian ownership, listing on the Australian Stock Exchange and level of Australian management. b) Greater China means mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau Rm 301-2, 3/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2522 505 Fax: (852) 2877 0860 Website: www.austcham.com.hk 12/01/2015 11:32 AM 5
JUDGING CRITERIA AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards categories: Business Excellence Award for Agriculture, Food & Beverage Business Excellence Award for Business Innovation Business Excellence Award for Construction, Infrastructure and Natural Resources Business Excellence Award for Education & Training Business Excellence Award for Services Business Excellence Award for Start Up Enterprises Business Excellence Award for Sustainability & Social Impact People s Choice Award for Advancement of Women in Business* The Judges for the AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards 2015 will review all submissions from nominees using the criteria outlined in the nomination form. A. Illustrate company growth over the last three years or since inception of the business B. Projected growth over the next two years C. Success in expanding into, or the creation of a previously unexplored market segment D. Ingenuity in marketing support for brand and sales in the marketplace, innovation in the use of business models, and/or collaborative approach with partnerships E. Exhibit a sound financial base, including working capital, for on-going business success F. Demonstrable implementation of one or more: -Socially responsible corporate strategy -Ethical standards protocols -Environmental sustainability -Community outreach initiatives G. Level of engagement with business, government or other organisations that have had a positive impact on Australia-China relations H. Ability to influence positive change in the business relationship between Australia and China s The Judges will mark entries in total out of 100. Weighting for each section will be the same across all categories, with additional points awarded for Business Innovation and Sustainable Development categories for companies that have nominated for Business Innovation and Sustainability & Social impact awards. All nominees will be judged based on the information provided in the nomination form. Supporting document not included in the nomination form will not be considered. The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau Rm 301-2, 3/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2522 505 Fax: (852) 2877 0860 Website: www.austcham.com.hk 12/01/2015 11:32 AM 6
JUDGING PROCESS 1. The Nominee is self-nominated for an Award in one of eight Award categories. If the company is unsure about which category is appropriate, then it may nominate across multiple categories. The Judging Panel, in its absolute discretion, will determine the category in which any nominee company shall be considered. All such determinations by the Judging Panel will be final and not subject to review. 2. The Nominee completes the Nomination Form within the specified timeframe and returns it to either vicentia.lee@austcham.com.hk or in hard copy to The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau (AustCham Hong Kong), Room 301-2, 3/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. 3. Information provided in the Nomination Form should focus on the Nominee s performance in Greater China and state overall achievements up to present time (include achievements expected up to the date of the Awards Ceremony). All questions must be answered and all sections of the Nomination Form must be completed for a company to be considered for an Award. Illegible or incomplete entries may be declared invalid. 4. The Nomination Form is an important document that must be completed by an officer of the company who has best knowledge and who must sign the Nomination Form confirming its truth and accuracy. The Nomination Form is private and confidential and information is used for the purpose of judging only. Background information will be asked for from Finalists for advertising, marketing and editorial purposes at a later stage. 5. Prior to review by the Judging Panel, all completed Nomination Forms will be subject to validation of its contents. 6. In promotion of the Awards, the names of all nominees and their nominated Awards categories will be listed on this website and the websites of other participating organisations. The public will be able to forward information supporting nominations to AustCham Hong Kong and Macau for appropriate validation. 7. AustCham Hong Kong and Macau will provide all validated Nomination Forms to the Judging Panel for review. In addition to information provided in the Nomination Form, the Judging Panel will consider such other relevant information relating to the nominees having regard to the Judging Criteria. The Judging Panel may, in its absolute discretion but shall not be obliged to, take such further steps as it considers reasonable to verify any information provided to it in relation to the nominees. 7
8. The Judging Panel will then determine the finalists in each category. The list of Finalists is made public and all nominees are informed of their status. 9. Finalists will be invited to attend the Hong Kong Austrade office or join a video conference from the nearest Austrade office with the Judging Panel for a 10 minute presentation in mid-april 2015. The purpose of the interview is for the Judging Panel to clarify and validate submissions. There is no need to repeat information already provided. A 10 minute presentation and background introduction is recommended. Should the Judging Panel require additional or further information, finalists will be notified in advance. 10. All the decisions of the Judging Panel shall be final and not subject to review. 11. The Judging Panel unanimously decides on the winner(s) in each category and this decision is not made public until it is announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony. 8