FAQ
Frequently asked questions and answers
Applications
No. There are 10 questions. You may write up to 300 words per question, but you don’t have to use them all if you feel you have already fully answered the question. Most winning entries write somewhere between 200 – 300 words per question. Use headings, dot points, space between paragraphs and keep it simple and concise. Remember – quality over quantity.
No – the guiding questions are there as suggestions to guide your thinking and responses. If they are not relevant to your business you do not have to address them.
Yes – you may edit your application up until the close of applications at after 5.00PM AEST, Monday 29 August.
When you type or cut-and-paste your entry into Award Force, normal Word style formatting may not transfer. Award Force uses a system called ‘Markdown’ for content formatting across the system. CLICK HERE for instructions about how to create Headings, Bold, Italics, Bullet Points, Lists and Line Space using Markdown.
No – the submission deadline is final and no extensions are available. The system will automatically prevent entry submission after 5.00PM AEST, Monday 29 August.
Yes.
Many copywriters, marketers and grant-writers offer services to assist with award entries. Your local chamber of commerce may be able to suggest a few options.
Categories
Read the category descriptions carefully. If you are still unsure, we recommend that you select a likely category and then move on to answering all the questions – you can change your category before you submit your application. After you have completed your answers, review your category selection and consider if it still feels like the most appropriate choice based on what you have written about your business. If the judging panel believes strongly that you are better suited to a different category, they will contact you to discuss.
Small is 0-10 employees FTE (Full-Time Equivalent). That is, the number of employee payroll hours per week (both part-time and full-time) is equal to or less than 380 hours per week in total.
Large is more than 11 employees FTE (Full-Time Equivalent). That is, the number of employee payroll hours per week (both part-time and full-time) is equal to or greater than 381 hours per week in total.
(1 FTE = 38 payroll hours)
Eligibilty
Yes. As long as you have a valid ABN and your registered business address or place of business or service delivery is located in the Noosa or Sunshine Coast LGA, you satisfy the criteria.
You must have been operating your business for at least 12 months or commenced trading by 1 July 2023 at the latest.
Yes. You must have a current valid ABN.
You must operate your business or provide services within either the Noosa or Sunshine Coast Regional Local Government Areas.
If you operate outside of these areas IN ADDITION to your business activities within the region, then you are still eligible to apply.
If you operate solely OUTSIDE the Noosa or Sunshine Coast Regional Local Government Areas, then you are NOT eligible to apply.
No. You must operate your business or provide services within either the Noosa or Sunshine Coast Regional Local Government Areas.
Finalists
There is no set number of finalists per category. All applications that are on or above the benchmark for written entry scores across all categories move through to the finalist stage. The benchmark is usually set at the top 120 entries.
Finalists are announced on Facebook Live and published in the Sunshine Coast Daily. Media releases are also distributed to other media organisations. Finalist are listed on the Sunshine Coast Business Awards website and social media pages. Finalists also receive an officially branded ‘SCBA Finalist’ graphic to display on their website, emails, and/or social media platforms.
Judging
Judges are invited by the awards management committee. They are recognised and highly regarded members of the Sunshine Coast business community. Some are former award winners or Hall of Fame members. Each year there are between 30-35 volunteer judges. All judges are required to sign non-disclosure agreements and maintain high levels of confidentiality. Judges are also asked to abstain from assessing any applications where there are perceived conflicts of interest.
Applications are assessed in 2 stages. Stage 1 is the written application. Stage 2 is the Finalist interview.
In stage 1, each application is assessed by at least 3 judges who are randomly selected by the Award Force software algorithm. Judges individually score their allocated applications, and those scores are then audited and averaged for a final score. Judges do not know who else may be assessing any given application.
In stage 2, Finalists attend an interview with a panel of 3 randomly selected judges. After the interviews, judges upload their individual scores to the Award Force platform where scores are again audited and averaged.
No.
In stage 1, the Award Force software randomly allocates each written application to 3 different judges for scoring. Judges do not know which other judges are assessing the same application and have no way to confer or discuss their scores.
In stage 2, panels of 3 judges are randomly allocated to Finalist interview times. Judges may discuss Finalist responses in general terms but do not share their scores, which are individually uploaded to Award Force after interviews conclude.
If a judge has a conflict of interest in the written application stage, they simply recuse themselves from judging that application and another judge is randomly assigned.
In stage 2, a judge may excuse themselves from any interview where they or the Finalist feel there is a conflict of interest. Or that finalist may be allocated by the Awards Coordinator to a different panel.
Category winners are simply the business with the highest combined score (written application + interview) in their category.
The Business of the Year winner is simply the highest combined score of all businesses across all categories.
No.
Judges only assess entries based on information provided in your written application and interview.
No.
Judges only assess entries based on information provided in your written application and interview.
No.
No members of the awards committee or board serve as judges or participate in the judging process.
Nominations
No. You do not need to be nominated to enter the Awards. Simply apply.
Nominations are emailed directly to the nominee. The number of nominations a business receives does not contribute to the judging process or the entry’s score. Businesses still have to apply for the awards if they are nominated – and may choose not to. Nominating a business multiple times simply means they receive multiple emails encouraging them to apply.
No.
Judges only assess entries based on information provided in your written application and interview.