Join hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke as they sit down with James and Sarah - Beauty Spot business owners. 

The hosts discussing their experience with entering and winning an award for James's marketing efforts in the beauty industry. They delve deep into their stories as they unveil the strategies, challenges and pivotal moments that propelled them towards marketing excellence. James sharing their doubts about interring and then their excitement about winning. 

They talk about the process of writing the entry, reflecting on their business achievements, and the impact winning the award had on their team and personal validation, they share their insights, providing listeners with valuable advice and inspiration. James says: "My wife Sarah did a lot of research about our strategies and initiatives that we've put into place and looked at all the results. It was really interesting as you are going through that process because part of it was really cathartic actually looking back and understanding how far we've come and writing the interview in some ways was a revelation in itself because we got to look back on the work, instead off always looking forward. It is nice sometimes to reflect." 

Join them as they delve into the world of business and share their unique perspectives and get inspired. 

Join hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke as they sit down with John Cunningham, the lead judge for Best Emerging Business in the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. 

John reveals his role as a judge in a prominent business awards program, focusing on the dynamic emerging business category. With a keen eye for spotting potential and a dedication to fostering business excellence, the hosts discuss the essential criteria they employ while evaluating burgeoning companies.

The conversation covers topics such as their background in acquisitions and business growth, the importance of networking among judges, and the criteria they use to evaluate emerging businesses. 

They emphasise the significance of looking beyond just profitability and consider factors like vision, passion, and growth trajectory. Natalie says, " One of the big things for us with the Business Awards is you don't have to think you are successful to enter other categories and learn about yourself because sometimes you learn that you are actually quite successful at what you are doing, you also discover a lot about yourself, and you can grow from it".

The judges also provide feedback to companies, highlighting areas for improvement and offering guidance. Throughout the discussion, they mention several successful companies that have participated in these awards, emphasising the value of being a finalist and the growth potential it represents. 

Join now and it will help you to make the decision about entering the Business Awards. 

Join hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke as they sit down with Will Cooper, the lead judge for Community Contribution in the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards.  The conversation starts with a usually simple question "who is Will Cooper" and what is his story. 

With Will's extensive background in working with some of New Zealand’s largest companies and navigating the ever-changing digital landscape, he is well-positioned to assess how businesses are contributing to their communities in meaningful and sustainable ways. In recent years, Will’s passion has shifted to working with small Kiwi businesses to help them achieve long-term growth and success. His commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting community contribution make him a valuable addition to the judging panel. 

In the podcast they discuss various aspects of the awards, including the different categories and how they are judged. The focus is on the importance of community contribution and how businesses can make a positive impact on society. The hosts emphasise the need for tangible and measurable contributions and highlight the stories of businesses that have successfully made a difference in their communities. The podcast aims to inspire and educate listeners about the power of business to create positive change.

Join hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke as they sit down with Colette (Cole) Campbell, the lead judge for Excellence in Innovation in the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. Brace yourself for a conversation that unlocks the power of innovation!

Discover Cole's inspiring background and her deep-rooted passion for awards and innovation. Gain valuable insights into the true essence of innovation and its transformative impact on businesses.  During this episode, they will delve into the Excellence in Innovation category, which piques curiosity with its wide-ranging possibilities. Cole unveils what the judges seek in outstanding innovations and the recurring trends that shape the landscape.

This award celebrates excellence across products, services, systems, and even company culture. Cole shares the significance of strategic innovation, drawing a clever analogy to a game of snooker—highlighting that "we can all hit a ball in a game of snooker, but can we set it up for the next shot?" and why this is important for future success.

Packed with a wealth of tips and tricks, this episode equips listeners with the know-how to craft their own award-worthy entries. And don't miss out on the fun as Cole tackles quick-fire questions, offering a glimpse into her personality.

Whether you're aiming to conquer the Auckland Business Awards or simply seeking to unleash your business brilliance through innovation, this must-listen episode is your guide. Cole's expertise and profound insights into the ever-evolving marketplace will propel you towards success, arming you with the tools to revolutionise your industry.

Join hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke in a captivating episode as they sit down with Des Flynn, the lead judge for the Employer of the Year category in the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that unveils the secrets to becoming an exceptional employer.

Discover how this special award recognises businesses that prioritise their greatest asset: their people. Des explains the unique value of engaged employees and the remarkable impact they have on a company's success, and how they are different to the bricks and water assets and how Des explains it "because they can run away". 

Through this episode you will gain insights into the judging process, including the qualities judges seek in award entries and what makes a standout employer.  Whether you're a small business or a corporate giant, learn how to compete and thrive in the rapidly evolving marketplace as an employer.  Find out why involving your team in awards participation is crucial. Plus, get insider tips and tricks to prepare your own award-winning entry.

This must-listen episode is a valuable resource for anyone eyeing success in the Auckland Business Awards, particularly the Employer of the Year category. With Des's expertise and unrivaled insights, you'll be empowered to unlock the secrets of employer excellence and achieve remarkable recognition in the business world, plus we will do some quick fire questions with Des to get to know him a little more.

In this episode, co-hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke sit down with Tim McCready, the lead judge for Strategy and Planning in the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. The conversation starts with a usually simple question "who is Tim McCready" where they delve into Tim's background and how his experience in working with both start-ups and multinational corporations makes him a valuable asset to the judging panel for Excellence in Strategy and Planning.

They discuss the beauty of the awards and how it attracts businesses from different sectors and stages of development, giving anyone the opportunity to win. Tim shares insights into the judging process, including what the judges are looking for in entries and what makes a great strategy. They also discuss how small businesses can compete with larger corporations and why it's important to have your team involved in the awards.

Throughout the episode, listeners will find a wealth of tips and tricks to help them prepare for their own award entries. The conversation also includes some fun quick-fire questions for Tim, giving listeners the chance to get to know the lead judge a little better.

Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enter the Auckland Business Awards' Excellence in Strategy and Planning category. With Tim's expertise and insights into the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in the rapidly evolving global marketplace, this episode provides valuable information for any business looking to succeed.

In this episode of Kind of a Big Deal podcast, co-hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke sit down with Stephanie Quantrill, the lead judge for Excellence in Marketing at the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. Stephanie's extensive experience in managing some of New Zealand's most beloved brands brings a wealth of knowledge to the judging panel, overseeing and managing the judging process for this highly competitive category.

The hosts and Stephanie delve into the judging process for Excellence in Marketing, sharing insights into what judges are looking for in entries, different types of marketing, and how and why small businesses can compete with larger corporations with more substantial marketing budgets.  Listeners will find a wealth of tips and tricks to help them prepare for their own award entries. 

The conversation also includes some fun quick-fire questions for Stephanie, giving listeners the chance to get to know the lead judge a little better. Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enter the Auckland Business Awards' Excellence in Marketing category.

In this episode, co-hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke are joined by Andrew Fairgray, Head of Business at 2degrees, the principal sponsor of the Auckland Business Awards. The conversation revolves around the passion behind the awards and the relationship between 2degrees and the Auckland Business Chamber, not only from 2degrees but also from Andrew himself.

They discuss the history of the relationship between 2degrees and the Auckland Business Chamber, and the future of this partnership. Andrew shares his insights on why becoming the principal sponsor of these awards is a significant moment for 2degrees, and how they are committed to seeing New Zealand businesses grow. They also delve into what "Fighting for Fair" means to 2degrees, which is their commitment to providing a level playing field for all New Zealand businesses, and what this means for not only businesses but employees of 2degrees.

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Andrew share their passion for business and the success of Auckland and New Zealand, and how they compare on the world stage. The conversation showcases why these awards are kind of a big deal and the impact they have on recognising and celebrating excellence in the business community.

In the second episode of the Kind of a Big Deal podcast, co-hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke dive deeper into the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, discussing who can enter, the entry process, and the different categories available.

Natalie and Mike stress the importance of bringing your team into the entry process, as it not only helps to create a stronger submission but can also drive excellence within your business. They also introduce the concept of the "Grandmother Approach," which involves writing your entry in a way that your grandmother would understand, to ensure clarity and simplicity in your submission.  They talk about why this is important and why it makes an impact on your entry being strong. 

The hosts also discuss the significance of the awards as a badge of excellence within the business community and how they can help to elevate and validate not only your brand but your internal strategies.

As the episode continues, Natalie and Mike take a closer look at the various award categories, sharing insights into what each category entails and providing examples of businesses that have excelled in each one.

Overall, the episode offers valuable advice and tips for businesses looking to enter the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards and highlights the importance of recognising and celebrating excellence within the community.

In the first episode of the Kind of a Big Deal podcast, co-hosts Natalie Woodbridge and Mike Burke discuss the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. They explore how businesses can learn from the awards program and use it as an opportunity to better understand their strategy and marketing.

The hosts also discuss the history of the awards program and how it supports the transformation of businesses. They emphasise that just entering the awards is already a big deal, as it can provide businesses with valuable feedback they can use for business growth and gain recognition for their achievements.

Natalie and Mike provide insight into the judging process and share stories of businesses that have gone through the awards program. They discuss the importance of celebrating excellence and empowering businesses to achieve their goals.

The hosts talk about how every year the awards program can be even bigger and more impactful than it already is. They discuss ways to further support businesses and provide them with resources to grow and succeed.

Overall, the first episode sets the stage for a series of conversations about how businesses can use the Auckland Business Awards as a tool for growth and success.