Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes encourages small to medium size businesses in north east Victoria to take part in the 2012 Telstra Business Awards.
Telstra has run the awards for 20 years. The awards recognise excellence in small to medium size businesses, and offer a combined prize pool of more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.
Dr Sykes said 2012 is another milestone year for the Telstra Business Awards as they now include a new HTC Start Up Award for small to medium size businesses which have been operating between one and three years.
“This new award celebrates people who demonstrate dedication, enthusiasm and the knowledge required to turn an idea into a successful commercial reality,” Dr Sykes said.
“Running a small business is a demanding, and at times a lonely occupation, with owners often required to work long hours and be very ‘hands on’.
“These awards provide a great opportunity to increase the profile of a business and to increase their network.
“In addition entrants receive a free individual Business Health Check which offers participants the chance to get a better picture of where they stand and how well placed they are to make the most of opportunities to grow and expand.
“They receive advice in key areas including customer and staff management, product development, social responsibility, financial management and marketing,” Dr Sykes said.
For the 2012 Telstra Business Awards, the categories are;
• HTC Start Up Award – for businesses that have been operating for between one and three years and have up to 200 employees;
• MYOB Small Business Award – for businesses with more than five employees or less than 20 employees;
• News LTD Micro-Business Award – for businesses with five or less employees;
• Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award – for businesses with more than 20 employees and up to 200 employees;
• Telstra Regional Award – for businesses in each state and territory based outside the metropolitan areas of capital cities.

Entries close at 5pm on Monday 2 April 2012.
For more information and nomination forms call 1800 262 323 or visit telstrabusinessawards.com.