Flexible working practices among Australia’s small and medium businesses will be considered by judges in the 2015 Telstra Australian Business Awards.
With nominations now open, organisers of the 23rd Telstra Business Awards say entrants will be judged on broadened human resources criteria in 2015 as well on as their business achievements, strategy, customer service, financials, sales and marketing, innovation and social responsibility.
Telstra Business group managing director Will Irving said flexible working practices should be just as important to small and medium businesses in attracting and retaining talent as they are for Australia’s largest corporations.
“Staffing and management practices are a critical part of any successful business, no matter how big or small, but they can often go unnoticed and unrewarded,” Irving said.
“To acknowledge this, we’re asking whether an entrant offers flexible working for employees, if it has policies or targets for improving workplace gender equality, if it’s achieving a workforce that reflects its customer base and how it is creating an inclusive culture.”
Irving also said last year’s Telstra Tasmanian Business of the Year, and winner of the Telstra Australian Small Business Award for 2014, whisky producer Lark Distillery, was a great example that innovation is fundamental to growth, something the awards also wanted to recognise more of this year.
Lark Distillery founder Bill Lark has called on Australians to nominate local businesses this year because of the range of benefits that finalists and winners enjoy.
“The accolades and publicity following the Awards have been instrumental in allowing our customers to proudly show their support. It strengthened our ties with existing markets and opened up new opportunities,” Lark said.
