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outstanding business leader- 20 employees and under

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The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader, aged 36 years or over at the time of entry, who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership, while also providing mentorship to others.

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Entry Criteria

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Entrants must demonstrate their ability to lead and inspire people, showcasing exceptional leadership skills and strategic decision-making, while demonstrating how they have effectively utilised resources to achieve strong organisational outcomes, drive innovation, and deliver measurable success over the past 18 months.

Entrants must also demonstrate financial responsibility and success, outlining how their leadership has contributed to the organisation’s financial stability, performance, or growth. This may include evidence of responsible financial management, improved financial outcomes, or initiatives that have strengthened the organisation’s overall financial position.

To be eligible for this category, the individual must have held a senior management or executive-level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

Award eligibility check box

I am aged 36 or over years at the time of entry.
I am not an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business Chamber Limited.
I declare that the business or organisation represented in this entry is currently trading solvent and are not under, or anticipating, administration, receivership, or liquidation at the time of submission.
I acknowledge if I should leave the organisation before the Regional or State Gala event, my entry in this category will no longer be recognised in the Awards program.
I have not been a judge in this category in 2025.
I am not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.
This business has 20 or fewer employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry

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Questions

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Before you proceed:

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Please reference the Rules of Entry via the entry portal
Check the eligibility criteria at the top of the category you wish to enter

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Information you need to know

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All winners in the following categories progress through Local and Regional Awards to State Awards
Your business is required to operate in the Lismore LGA at the time of entry, judging and the Awards ceremony on the 1st of August 2026.
The qualifying period is the 2025 calendar year i.e. January to December 2025. Questions referring to the past 12 months should cover this period. Questions relating to the past 24 months cover the period between January 2024 – December 2025.
All submissions are subject to a strict word count limit. The maximum word count for each question is specified directly under the question itself. You will be unable to write more than the set word count limit.
We encourage you to draft your entry in a Word document, then upload the finalised version to the Business NSW portal. All submissions must be uploaded to the award portal to qualify for entry.
Your entry may be edited until the closing time of 5.00pm on 10th June 2026. However, once you click SUBMIT, your entry cannot be edited.
All questions must be answered, and criteria addressed.
Ensure your answers are clear and concise. Avoid using jargon and acronyms.
Refrain from repeating the same content and validate all statements and claims with supporting evidence.
Ensure your entries are proofread carefully – check for spelling, grammatical and typographical errors.
NOTE: The submission deadline is final. NO EXTENSIONS will be provided. The Business NSW portal will automatically prevent submissions being entered after the deadline has passed.
We strongly urge you to get your submission in well before the closing date!

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Portal Link

Click here for Portal Access

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Contact Info

admin@lismorechamber.com.au

0492 902 840

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Outstanding Business Leader – 20 Employees and Under