Nominations are now open for Telstra's Best in Business Awards

Nominations are now open for Telstra Best of Business Awards, which celebrate the innovation and expertise of the nation’s small businesses.

This year’s business awards will reimagine Telstra’s long legacy to reflect the changing face of Australia’s small and medium businesses.

Business awards to spotlight small business impact

Telstra Consumer and Small Business Group Executive, Michael Ackland said the past year gave Telstra an opportunity to reflect and reimagine the awards.

“We are proud of the support we have shown the small business community over the past 25 years through the Telstra Business Awards and the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, where we have recognised over 5,000 finalists from both city and regional areas across each state and territory of Australia,” Ackland said.

“The Telstra Best of Business Awards builds on the success and learnings of these award programs and is a reflection of our desire to continue to lead positive change for all Australians.”

Ackland said the revamped awards allows them to celebrate the impact small businesses are making all across Australia.

Diversity and inclusion to be highlighted by awards

Throughout the past 12-months small businesses have thrived under challenging circumstances. Ackland says the business awards will honour this fortitude.

“We know the past year has been challenging for everyone and in particular small businesses. We hope by creating this new program, we will lead a national conversation and shine a light on businesses that are making a meaningful contribution to Australia and provide them with the recognition they deserve.”

The awards will feature a new category – Progressing Australia. This category will highlight businesses that have responded to Australia’s most pressing issues. Local Leadership is the focus of this year’s Progressing Australia award.

“We are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion to ensure all business owners from a cross-section of industries, sizes, categories and locations are able to enter and are judged fairly. We want to give everyone across Australia the opportunity to be on the main stage,” Ackland said.

Businesses with 200 employees or less can enter across eight categories. Categories include: