The journey of excellence does not have a finishing line, says National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) deputy director Sachin Deo.

During the Fiji Business Excellence Awards (FBEA) seminar at Fiji National University in Labasa yesterday, Mr Deo said excellence was a never ending journey as its dimensions and directions keep changing.

“We conducted a seminar inviting various industrial companies from Northern Division to tell them what FBEA is all about and the benefits associated with implementing the framework at their own organisations,” Mr Deo said.

“Over the past 17 years we gave out 194 awards and received 93 applicants.

Five companies over the years have won President’s Award.”

They are DHL Fiji Limited, Air Terminal Services Fiji Limited (ATS), Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA), Sheraton Fiji Resort and Vodafone Fiji Limited (recognised four times).

“We have not seen a purely northern based company applying for the award however, this year we hope to receive an application,” Mr Deo said.

“Companies can start applying for FBEA as the awards night will be held on November 6 this year.Venue is yet to be decided.”

NTPC Department of Quality Awards officer Taniela Qalilawa elaborated more saying that business excellence was about developing and strengthening the management systems and processes of an organisation to improve performance and create value for stakeholders.

“Business excellence is about achieving excellence in everything that an organisation does including leadership, strategy, customer focus, information management, people and processes,” Mr Qalilawa said.

Meanwhile, two employees from Fiji Forest Industries (FFI) Sala Ratu and Sevanaia Saravaki said they were glad to attend the seminar.

“This is the first time we participated and I am happy to note that our company can apply for FBEA,” Mrs Ratu said.

“We felt very fortunate to know the necessary procedures and requirements making it very easy for our management to work accordingly.”

The other participants at the seminar were from Labasa Town Council, Savusavu Town Council, Valebasoga Tropik Board Limited, Fiji Sugar Corporation and Judicial Department.

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