1. We won an award last year - are we disadvantaged if we enter again this year?
A: No. In fact we encourage companies to re-enter. It is an interesting comparison with other awards such as the Oscars or Design awards where entering and becoming a finalist year after year is highly valued. Companies that have won awards previously have often adopted a 'been there, done that' approach which we are actively trying to change. There are at least two new categories for you to consider this year and every reason for you to continue to lift the bar for yourself and other companies in your areas of interest.
2. How can I be sure that we qualify as a hi-tech company?
A: There are no really clear guidelines as to what qualifies you as a hi-tech company and by the nature of the industry the benchmark is continually shifting. We use a basic definition of companies that produce goods and services in the electronics, software, telecommunications, creative technology and biotechnology sectors. If you fall outside of this definition we are happy to discuss whether or not you are a good fit. Please contact us directly on info@hitech.org.nz
3. Who sees my entry? How do I know that its contents will be kept confidential?
A: The Hi-Tech Awards entry process has evolved over more than 16 years and is one of the most robust and transparent in New Zealand. Your entry goes directly to the entry portal and the entry convenor and then sends the login details directly to the judges responsible for assessing that category. All of the judges sign a non-disclosure agreement and are required to securely dispose of all electronic and paper copies of an entry as soon as judging is completed. Judges are also required to inform the Judging Convenor of any potential conflicts of interest on receiving the list of entrants. If a conflict of interest is identified, the judge does not receive the entry concerned. If you have any concerns that a breach of confidentiality has occurred or your entry has been in any way compromised you can engage with the judging adjudicator who is appointed to ensure that all due process is adhered to.
4. The deadline is 5.00pm on the 5th March - can I get an extension to this?
A: NO. There are no extensions and no circumstances under which an extension will be given. The entry portal will close off at the 5.00pm deadline. We strongly recommend that you don't put yourself in this position and submit your entry at least 24 hours prior to the deadline. We email you to confirm that it has been received so you have plenty time to follow up if you don't hear back from us immediately.
5. What annoys the judges the most?
A: Entries that don't answer the question that was asked. Many entrants do not supply the information that was asked for. Sometimes they can provide a lot of other information - none of which is relevant to the question being asked. Specific attention needs to be paid to what the question is asking for. We recommend that you go through and highlight the key words in each question and then check your answer back, to make sure you have actually complied with what has been asked for.
6. How important is what we put on the entry form?
A: The judges are required to judge an entry only by what is on the entry form. If you don't answer the questions and don't state a compelling case for your company then you are not going to make the shortlist. We have had some companies question why they have not made the list of finalists - this has often been because they have not articulated their case very well on the entry form. It is important to remember that the judges are assessing the entry based on the entry form and not the reputation of the company or product.
A number of judges expressed frustration that positive, general market information that was known about a company was not reflected in an entry - usually to the entrant's detriment. So if you have neglected to state that you have closed a significant deal or are globally ranked in your field then they can't consider that information in their judging no matter how widely it is known. This issue often lies with the entry writer assuming that what they consider to be general knowledge doesn't need to be included -when in fact it is central to the story they are telling.
The judges for your category all possess a degree of expert knowledge that relates to the field you are in - but you need to assume that they know nothing about your products or your company, particularly the international judges who are likely to have never heard about you at all. Make sure you tell your story well and within the criteria that it is asked for. Honing your story is one of the very positive side benefits of entering any awards. Getting someone from outside of your company to write your entry - or at the very least getting an intelligent outsider to review your draft - can help with this. But no writer can have the knowledge of your company that you do and if you don't disclose all of the essential information there is no way it can get into your entry. For categories that do not have face to have judging panels, we strongly recommend that you have a professional assist with writing your entry.
7. When should we start writing our entry?
A: Leaving writing an entry too late to complete a comprehensive review process is at the heart of an entry not doing as well as it should. Ideally, start your entry pre-Christmas or in early January so you can be sure all the critical information gets on the page. Judges also noted that some entries were riddled with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors - this makes it very difficult to read and the judge's job more challenging. An error free entry is going to put you in the best possible light. Again it comes back to reading the criteria and the questions - then supplying exactly what is asked for - to give you the best opportunity to succeed. And remember, it doesn't matter how well known your company is or how well it is performing, it can only be judged on what is on the entry form - so it is worth putting the time in to tell your story well.
8. I am not happy that the judges have been fair in their assessment - who do I talk to?
A: In the first instance email the entry co-ordinator on entry@hitech.org.nz . Your concerns will then be relayed to the Judges Convenor and the Awards Adjudicator. They will investigate the issues you raise and come back to you with a response. It should be noted, however, that the judges decision is final and there is no requirement for the judges to enter into any discussion in regards to the merits of individual entries.
9. What role do the international judges play?
A: The international judges provide an international validation and endorsement of the selection of finalists and winners in the categories they are involved in judging.
