To achieve recognition for social change impact and boost future grants, not-for-profits are encouraged to apply for the 2019 Telstra Business Awards.

The Awards are open to organisations that facilitate a positive social impact at the core of its purpose, including not-for-profits, social enterprises and profit-for-purpose organisations. This can help propel the social sector into new opportunities, including more grants.

Telstra Business Awards Ambassador and Acting Group Executive, Telstra Consumer and Small Business, Michael Ackland, said business owners should back themselves and take a chance by nominating themselves for this years’ Awards.

“A successful business owner is a special breed with unique characteristics,” Ackland said. “They’re hungry. They’re creative and bold. But at times, they’re also unsure.”

“Having no one to answer to can be liberating, but it can also foster as much self-doubt as confidence. Applying for the Telstra Business Awards is a great way to put your business to the test and prove to yourself that you’re better than you think you are.”

Figures show that 2018 was a record-breaking year for a number of nominations in Telstra’s Awards program. However, there was also an 18 per cent decrease in self-nominations compared to 2017. Social change makers are encouraged to self-apply.

In December 2018, Third Sector spoke to Telstra’s General Manager for Business and Marketing and Awards, Teena Wooldridge, who said that a lot of doors will open for organisations that take the opportunity to enter into any awards.

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“There’s a lot of media attention and a lot of credibility behind the awards, particularly for a charity or a social purpose who is being recognised as an organisation by Telstra, which will often give them more credibility and opens the doors to more grants.”

Now in its 27th year, the Awards program helps business people analyse, evaluate and improve operations to thrive into the future. As part of the nomination process, all entrants will receive a Personalised In-Depth Business Report with professional help in insights, advice and guidance on how to improve the future of the business.

CEO of Foodbank NSW and ACT and 2018 Telstra NSW Social Change Maker Award winner, Gerry Anderson OAM, said the Awards experience was a “huge buzz”.

“We entered the Awards to benchmark ourselves against others in the industry; yet we benefited from so much more through the judging process. Winning was a privilege. Do not be frightened to see how you compare to others, no matter what happens, you will learn so much along the way,” Anderson said.

To nominate a business head to www.telstrabusinessawards.com/nominate