The new process will be less labour-intensive, more transparent, and far more affordable than the old awards process.
27/10/2005 What's new? The old process required an applicant to provide a comprehensive 50-page application document which was then assessed by an evaluator team. The new process, rather than requiring a full application document, utilizes the tried and tested Q100 assessment software in a 2 day facilitated assessment conducted at the applicant business by NZBEF evaluators. The new process will enable the evaluator team to gather and agree the strengths, opportunities for improvement and draft scores utilizing the current Baldrige criteria and scoring bands. An applicant may, if they wish, still provide an application document which will be evaluated by the evaluator team utilizing the Q100 software. Under the new process, the potential applicant will also have an opportunity following the facilitated assessment to review the draft feedback report and the scoring and to make a decision as to whether or not to proceed into the Awards. If they elect not to progress to the Awards they will still receive an actionable feedback report and score. In keeping with the old process there will still be a 1 day consensus meeting where the evaluator team will agree the assessment findings, scoring and develop the site visit issues. A site visit will still take place to finally validate the assessment. This will be followed by judging. Why enter the 2006 NZ Business Excellence Awards? The purpose of entering the NZ Business Excellence Award Program, aside from the potential recognition element, is to receive an actionable feedback report that assists the business to improve their performance and capability. The cost of entering the awards has been greatly reduced. Although it is difficult to accurately quantify the cost of producing a full application document under the old process, anecdotal evidence indicated a cost, depending on the size of the business, in the region of $15,000 to $25,000 taking into account the significant staff costs involved. In the new process there will be some preliminary work for the potential applicants with a requirement to complete an organizational profile and to prepare business results for discussion at the facilitated assessment. The cost of the assessment itself will now become the key cost component of the new awards process. The price of an award assessment is now $6,000* plus GST. *If the business wishes to progress into the awards as a ‘finalist', additional costs over and above the assessment fee will involve hosting a 1 day consensus meeting and a site visit of 2, possibly 3 days ‘at cost'. The Foundation will utilize local evaluators where possible and negotiate with applicants to ensure the most cost effective solution. Should you wish to express a no obligation expression of interest or require any further information of clarification, please do not hesitate to contact: Mike Watson on DDI 09 489 8792 or mobile 021 626 342. |