Twenty-Six Applicants FBEA 2017
Twenty-six applicants will be participating in Fiji National University’s 2017 Fiji Business Excellence Awards. This was confirmed by the University’s National Training and Productivity Centre, the main organiser of the annual awards scheduled for November 4 at the Sheraton Fiji Resort from 6:30pm – 10:30pm.
The chief guest will be the President MajorGeneral (Ret’d) Jioji Konousi Konrote, and the event theme is green and silver shimmer
National Training and Productivity Centre in a statement said: “We received 32 applications this year it’s the highest in the 19 year history of the awards.
“However only 26 Applicants were allowed to participate this year as they meet all eligibility requirements of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards (FBEA).”
Below are the excerpts of the interview with organiser National Training and Productivity Centre:
What are the eligibility criteria for the awards?
In terms of eligibility: Organisations that are headquartered in Fiji, including Fiji subunits of foreign organisations, may apply for the award. To be eligible, your organisation must;
■ Have existed for at least one year.
■ Have the operational practices associated with all of its major organisational functions available for examination in Fiji.
■ Be able to share information on the seven Criteria categories at your organisation ’s facilities and at the Better Business Conference.
In FBEA the applicants do not compete against each other, in fact they are assessed against the FBEA criteria which define the standard in Fiji if one wishes to be recognised for the Business Excellence Awards. Category 1: LEADERSHIP (120 POINTS) Category 2: STRATEGIC PLANNING (85 POINTS)
Category 3: MEASUREMENT, ANALYSIS AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (90 POINTS)
Category 4: WORKFORCE FOCUS (85 POINTS)
Category 5: CUSTOMER FOCUS (85 POINTS)
Category 6: OPERATIONS FOCUS (85 POINTS)
Category 7: RESULTS (450 POINTS) TOTAL: 1000 POINTS
The applicants are evaluated by a group of third party Business Excellence Evaluators who then submit and present their recommendation to the Panel of Review.
The panel of review consist of respected organisation leaders who are well versed with the Business Excellence Framework and the Business and Public Service landscape in Fiji. The panel of review have the final say on which organisation gets which award during the awards night.
■ FBEA is a national initiative and thus the decision on the level of recognition is fact-based and the evaluation is done by experience BE evaluators. It is not based on votes.
What are the categories for this year’s awards?
Organisations are not nominated – they apply PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD (701+ points)
This is demonstrably a world class organisation, a position that has been achieved through the application of business excellence and quality management principles and practices.
Applications for the President’s Award must first have received the business prior to applying at this level.
FIJI BUSINESS EXCELLENCE PRIZE (551 – 700 points) There is good integration of Business Excellence and Quality Management into business operations. Improved performance is most important to the enterprise.
The enterprise is demonstrable amongst the ‘best in class’ in Fiji terms.
It may be ‘World Class’ but has not yet subjected itself to the stringent evaluation process of the Award.
EXCELLENCE (401 – 550 points) Sound approaches are in places which are being deployed to most major areas. Integration of Business Excellence and Quality Management practices into business operations is becoming established. Improved performance can be demonstrated across most criteria areas.
COMMITMENT TO BUSINESS EXCELLENCE (300 – 400 points) The enterprise is committed to a path of continual improvement through the application of Business Excellence and Quality Management practices as exemplified by the FBEA assessment criteria. Planning for improvement is beginning and there is evidence that the commitment is leading to improved performance. to be recognised in the Awards.
How is your preparation for the awards this year?
Preparation is going as planned as we approach the Awards Night, 4th of November 2017. This year we will be Live streaming the Awards Night on Fiji TV Live Stream and there will be a delayed coverage of the Awards Night on Fiji TV as well.
What are some of the challenges faced while preparing for this awards function?
The FBEA movement in Fiji continues to grow and interest in the awards have reached a new high.
This year will be the first time that we’ll be hosting 800 guests at the Awards Night. This number has doubled from just three – fouryears ago.
The challenge at the moment for the FBEA Secretariat is to work with this number (that we have never handled before) since we also arrange for accommodation and transportation for most our guests.
One of the other challenge that we face every year is to take the awards night to another level in terms of the programme, entertainment, glamour and the general atmosphere of the Night.
This year will be bigger and better celebration than last year.
Are there sponsors for the event?
The event itself is not sponsored. It is fully funded by the Department of Quality Awards under the National Training and Productivity Centre, Fiji National University. However, the “Green Jackets” awarded to FBEA Evaluators who have provided their service to the Awards Evaluation process for five years is donated/sponsored by Classic Apparel Ltd.
Note:
■ The Green Jacket is given to BE Evaluators who have served with the FBEA Secretariat for five years. This is to recognise their commitment to the Business Excellence journey by providing us with their invaluable service.
■ There is also a 10 years’ service recognition that the Secretariat present to any BE Evaluator that has served with us for 10 years. This is in a form of a recognition plaque.