The journey for winning the “Service Excellence Award” at the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards began many years ago when we purchased the business of Tauranga Veterinary Services Ltd.
Some friends and colleagues had entered and won the awards previously and talked about what they had gained from participation.
We felt we were not ready for that as a business, but over the years we worked on various aspects to reach the point that we have today. It wasn’t until our then Business Manager suggested that we should enter that I became convinced we were ready. In fact, when we sat down as a group – with our key staff members and looked at the different parts of our business, we then realised we could. A lot of things you do in your business, your industry – you take for granted and they are the real stories.
It was a matter of stopping and reflecting upon it and putting it down on paper. And telling the judges. The process was supportive.
Anne Pankhurst had a couple of meetings with us and our senior team to answer any questions, but she gave us the confidence that we should enter. The feedback from the judges – people you respect in the local business world was appreciated. They asked questions, sought confirmation and allowed you to look at things another way. The application was like a business “Warrant of Fitness”. If you had some gaps, which we did, it was an extra incentive to progress in aspects that you may not have. But, by the same token, by having completed a great deal of the requirements it gave you confidence that as a business you were being responsible.
In the end, it was a pleasure to win the “Service Excellence Award” and to be placed in “Customer Experience Award”. This acknowledgement from our community is rewarding for our current team of staff and previous staff members who have contributed to Tauranga Veterinary Services Ltd.
It also is recognition of the value we place on our customers who support us and reassurance that we are caring for their animals in a great way.
By David McDonnell, BOPVets.co.nz
“I write for this magazine to share the great work our team do looking after our communities animals.”
