NCB Nation Builder to choose finalists this week

The final round of judging for the applicants to the 2012 NCB Nation Builder Awards is currently underway with the two highest ranked businesses or regional winners in each of the five award categories to be named in short order.

“The National Commercial Bank acknowledges the value the small and medium enterprise sector holds not only to our business, but also to Jamaica’s development,” said Bernadette Barrow, NCB Assistant General Manager – Retail with responsibility for the bank’s small and medium enterprise (SME) portfolio.
“The Nation Builder Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate these model companies, which despite challenges continue to innovate, grow and give back to their communities…doing well and doing good.”

Judging began following the close of the application submission period 

on August 17, with several local companies entering the five award categories — NCB Nation Builder, NCB Start Up, NCB Innovation, NCB Women In Business and the NCB Impact Award — in an effort to get the top nod from the independent four-member judging panel.

The NCB Nation Builder Awards judging panel comprises: Social entrepreneur and management consultant Dr. Henley Morgan; Custos Rotulorum of St Andrew The Honorable Mrs. Marigold Harding; Dr. Carolyn Hayle, executive director at HEART Trust NTA and Mr Harold Davis, executive director of the Jamaica Business Development Center (JBDC).

Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Dr Hayle maintains that, “the awards are an excellent way for the bank to illustrate sustainable development”.

The appraisal accounts for criteria such as innovation and creative thinking, financial performance, commercial viability and potential, business continuity/strategic direction, community involvement and presentation.

Dr Hayle explained that judging process is most rigorous as only the most qualified SMEs will be considered.

“The criteria for judging comprises five parts, it is a process. First, the submissions are evaluated and scored, then the panel meets to review notes and ensure equity and fairness,” she added noting that at this point, the nominees are selected.

“The next step is to visit the site of the nominees. Finally, the panel meets to tally the scores and put forward the winners,” Dr Hayle noted.

Mrs. Harding reiterated Dr Hayle’s comments, noting, too, that the Nation Builder Awards demonstrates best practices in business while at the same time celebrates the positive contribution to the environment and the community.

Mrs. Harding lauds the inclusive nature of the programme, pointing out that, “it’s commendable that the competition is open not only to NCB customers, but anyone doing business in Jamaica.”

She believes that being nominated as a finalist is in itself an honour, since this suggests a healthy business model and a robust operational framework.
“I encourage the continuation of the NCB Nation Builder programme and hope that applicants use this as an opportunity to gain knowledge, improve their practice, network with persons and share creative ways of doing business in this type of economy,” Mrs. Harding said.