The Fiji Business Excellence Awards are different from other local awards, as they are based on an international­ly benchmarked framework – the US Malcom Baldrige Business Excellence framework.

This was highlighted by the Fiji National University Vice Chancellor, Professor Nigel Healey during the Fiji Business Excellence Awards on Saturday night at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau.

“This framework is, in turn, aligned to the Business Excellence frameworks adopted in Europe, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

“It helps organisations adopt a systems ap­proach to enhancing their capabilities for superior performance and results.

“These prestigious awards are presented to organisations that have met the highest standards of organisational excellence.

“The President’s Business Excellence Award, as most of you know, is the highest award which is only awarded to organisa­tions that have attained excellent organisa­tional performance levels in the seven cat­egories and are demonstrably world class organisations.

“To date, there have only been five recipi­ents of the President’s Award and all are from the private sector, namely Vodafone Fiji Ltd which was recognised in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013; Sheraton Fiji Resort in 2005; DHL Express (Fiji) Ltd in 2011; Fiji Electricity Authority now known as Energy Fiji Ltd in 2012; and the Air Terminal Services in 2014.

“I congratulate these organisations for their Business Excellence journey.

“I am told that the head of these organisa­tions are here with us this evening to cel­ebrate tonight’s milestone achievement for NTPC.

“As the Vice Chancellor of Fiji National University, I feel a sense of accomplishment as our vision for Business Excellence in Fiji is being shared by an increasing number of organisations across the country.

“This year, the Secretariat for the awards facilitated refresher training for a record number of 132 enthusiastic and energetic evaluators.

“I must convey my sincere gratitude to our evaluators for their hard work in upholding the stringent requirements of the award as­sessment, which they do on a voluntary basis with the generous support of their employ­ers.

“I would also like to express my sincere ap­preciation to the panel of review members for their support, dedication and guidance during the awards process,” Mr Healey said.

Meanwhile, there were four Fiji Business Excellence Prize winners.

Below are excerpts of their business excel­lence journey very briefly:

Flick Anticimex (Amalgamated Pest Control)

Flick Anticimex representative said: “We are honoured and happy to be receiving the prized award for team Flick Anticimex.

“The feeling of winning this award is ex­hilarating it makes our hard work all year round a little more worthwhile and it also fills our team and our thoughts with great responsibility.

“This is the responsibility we have to our clients, community, workers and our indus­try to always strive with business excellence.

“In our industry the difference is clear.

“We have been recognised every year since 2013 and this will be the sixth consecutive years of being recognised.

“Therefore, without any hesitation I will be borrowing the FBC slogan in saying in pest control and fumigation and healthcare in­dustry the difference is clear.

“We are looking forward to continuing this journey, we will continue to value our cus­tomers, strive hard to meet our customers’ expectations and striving to be the best in pest control and fumigation and health care industry.

“We wouldn’t have achieved this award with­out the contribution from the Flick Anticimex (Amalgamated Pest Control) family.

“I thank God for the guidance our team for their hardwork

“I thank God for making team Flick Anticimex (Amalgamated Pest Control) are successful or­ganisation and a wonderful place to work in.

“A big vinaka vakalevu to our clients and part­ners for having faith in us, and we promise this is not the end because we will continue to do our best. “

Fiji Ports Terminal

Fiji Ports Terminal chief executive officer Hasthika Bandara Dela said: “The real owners of this award are our people.

“I wish thank our board chairman Mr Has­mukh Patel. and our board directors and line ministry.

“I wish to thank all our employees and it is great privilege to work with you all.”

Bank of Baroda

Bank of Baroda chief executive officer Sudhan­su Sekhar Khamari said: “We are overwhelmed to receive this prize at Bank of Baroda.

“We are always trying to provide world class experience in Fiji to our customers through our branches and ATMs in Fiji.”

Itaukei Land Trust Board

iTaukei Land Trust Board The iTaukei Land Trust Board general manager, Tevita Kuru­vakadua said: “I receive this award on behalf of the landowners, our tenants and all our stake­holders.

“To all our landowners and tenants who are lis­tening out there tonight though we may have dis­appointed you in a lot of ways but this award that we are receiving tonight is dedicated to you all

“It is also a show of our commitment as part of our journey to continue to aspire to improve on our services and all that we are mandated to car­ryout for you.

“I also take this opportunity to thank FNU for supporting us and also for allowing to partici­pate in this business excellence competition and to use the Baldrige model which has been a very useful guide and source of inspiration for our leadership team and also to all our staff in guiding us in terms of the seven categories of the model.

“Also it has enabled most our young leaders to use the leadership model for strategic planning model and the people category model and the model itself has been a source of inspiration it­self and enabled us to progress and achieve this milestone tonight

“I take this opportunity to congratulate all the award winners.”

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj