North Shore business QLBS.com has been named a finalist in the inaugural, nationwide, Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards.

The company made the shortlist for its services helping build businesses' capabilities. QLBS.com works with business managers to help them build successful businesses by giving them accurate, reliable and useful information about their strategic performances. The firm also works with consultants and business advisors to develop sound assessment systems so they can deliver efficient consulting services to clients.

In total, 32 finalists have been announced across seven categories. From multinationals to sole traders, the businesses and services chosen range from web page designers to banks, publishers and education providers. Four individuals have also been recognised for their contribution to business support.

Created by small business support sector specialist Sarah Trotman, the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards are being independently evaluated by the NZ Business Excellence Foundation.

“I was sitting in a meeting with someone about a year ago, listening to them going on about what they thought they were doing to benefit the small business sector – and it just actually didn't seem like they were doing that much at all. That got me thinking about the varying quality of services offered to the small businesses of New Zealand and I came up with the idea for the awards,” Trotman said.

“The SME (small and medium enterprise) sector is so critical to New Zealand so I wanted to show leadership on a project that would make a real difference to the small businesses out there. Setting up a process that would provide a benchmark for excellence in support services was the obvious answer.”