NZ’s best business “good eggs” about to be announced

April 3rd 2013

New Zealand’s best business “good eggs” about to be announced

Sixty-six businesses throughout New Zealand have been put through their paces on their commitment to the community without their knowledge.

Community organisations have said which are the best NZ businesses to work with.

The best Good Business Eggs in New Zealand award winners will be announced at a special function at Wellington on April 11, 2013.

The awards are being run by a new organisation, Business and Community Shares (BACS), which has already attracted 55 businesses and community organisations, to develop a “hub”. It will fill a major gap by allowing businesses and community organisations to “share information, skills and wisdom”.

Many NZ businesses participate in the community and the Good Business Eggs of New Zealand Awards are significant because business gets some acknowledgment for what they do, and the value lies in what the community truly thinks of them, says BACS founder Julie Donvin-Irons, of the Stanley East Company, which is sponsoring the awards along with Cadbury.

The Hon. Jo Goodhew Minister of The Community and Voluntary Sector will present the awards, which will become an annual event to the three highest scoring businesses from nine finalists at the launch, being held at The Department of Conservation head office in Wellington.

The nine finalists (in no particular order are)
Contact Energy
BNZ Bank
Genesis Energy
CQ Hotels Wellington
Fonterra
USave
NZPost
Vodafone
ANZ Bank

Despite the company size as a global giant or small enterprise they have been ‘scored’ for the quality of their investment in communities.

“Corporate social responsibility is not just about sponsorship or giving funds,” says Julie Donvin-Irons of the Stanley East Company which has been collecting evidence on businesses’ community involvement over the past two years.

“Our first survey on how businesses reacted to community need was within 48 hoursafter the second devastating Christchurch earthquake in February 2011.

“We were amazed that some companies’ websites were announcing shareholders results on their front pages rather than conveying some big messages that were needed for their staff and families,” Ms Donvin-Irons says.

We found some were excellent at getting the message across and generally they were the banks, Telcos and companies like New Zealand Post. One excellent example was KPMG which clearly stated “‘At this difficult time, the safety and well being of our people and their families in Christchurch is our priority. We are asking staff to stay at home with their loved ones, listen to the radio and follow the civil defence instructions. The KPMG Christchurch office is closed until further notice.”

"What was needed right then was ‘ the heart stuff’, understanding what was going on and getting information to those that needed it rather than the dollar value of their shares.”

For these awards flash-surveys were part of the judging criteria as well as more in -depth surveys. There was no list of names provided to the community leaders instead they made their own call. In some cases says Julie Donvin-Irons “ we were delighted with the enthusiasm from some organisations who had expressed how well a partnership with business had gone and we shared the dismay with those when things had gone wrong.”

BACS: Business and Community Shares launch at the Department of Conservation

The new hub of corporate social responsibility in NZ will be launched on the 11th April 2013 at the Department of Conservation head office in Manners Street, Wellington.

BACS is an independent organisation currently sponsored by the Stanley East Company through its inception and launch.

55 business and community members have already joined to provide support, information and share skills through BACS to promote a safe and healthy environment, sustainable living practices and have access to education and aspirational opportunities to thrive.

Members include DOC, KPMG, Downer, The Warehouse, Chorus, Annah Stretton Unitec, the Red Cross, Wellington Women’s Refuge, Great Potentials, Kaibosh, Volunteering NZ amongst others.

BACS will also make a call for interest in their Health To Go Campaign

This is a nationwide opportunity for business and community organisations to work in partnership. Chair of BACS Heather Stonyer said “we want to talk to those who are interested in making a difference in NZ to get great outcomes through businesses and communities working together, specially in partnerships.”

BACS will be forming a Health To Go Campaign steering committee to scope a business-community initiative that will challenge businesses and communities to get involved, regardless of geography or size.

By recognising that people are imaginative and resourceful there are many ways to support existing community organisations already involved in health provision. By simple connections and knowing what to do this can bring to scale valuable wisdom and resources to much needed areas in New Zealand.

ENDS

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