27 July 2012: A leading Australian project management consultancy with a burgeoning portfolio of building, property and infrastructure construction projects has been named the 2012 Telstra ACT Business of the Year.
Point Project Management (Point), which also won the Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award, was joined by school-holidays workshop business Swish Education, Fyshwick registered training organisation Transformed Pty Ltd and nursery and revegetation service Provincial Plants and Landscapes as winners of the 2012 Telstra ACT Business Awards.
After launching Point in January 2006, Michael Snare was joined six months later by fellow director Brendan Bilston. Point has become one of Australia’s largest specialist project management consultancies, with more than 80 employees, offices in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and clients throughout Australasia and South-East Asia.
Determined to have 'points’ of difference based on uncompromisingly high quality service and value for money for clients, Point’s owners also created a culture committee that gives staff a say in how to make the business a better place to work and fosters a 'giving’ environment with charity leave days for staff.
The client-side project management consultancy has won major contracts on aviation, defence, commercial fit-out, infrastructure, government health and education buildings and residential projects.
Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Will Irving, said Point Project Management had many attributes that made it a stand-out among the 16 finalists in 2012.
"Judges said Point presented a case of excellence in all aspects of the business evaluated. They continue to develop their business and their very strong culture, team approach and corporate social responsibility put them ahead," Mr Irving said.
The Telstra Australian Business Awards were launched in 1992 to recognise the achievements of small and medium businesses and to encourage strategic planning for business growth.
"I’m pleased to see that each year we uncover exceptional small and medium businesses, such as Point Project Management, and I encourage all ACT residents to nominate businesses now for the 2013 Awards," he said.
Matt Comyn, Executive General Manager of Local Business Banking, Commonwealth Bank, said: "Small and medium businesses are fundamental to the overall strength of our economy and these awards reflect the diversity and breadth of entrepreneurial talent which exists in Australia. Point Project Management in particular demonstrated a commitment to innovation and success, and this award is testament to that."
The winners of the 2012 Telstra ACT Business Awards announced tonight in Canberra are:
Telstra Australian Capital Territory Business of the Year
Point Project Management - Canberra
HTC Start Up Award
Swish Education - Campbell
Personal experience led Winifred Hanson to create a business offering engaging school holiday education programs drawing on traditional subject areas and others such as engineering and philosophy. Swish Education employs experienced teachers in centres operating in Canberra and Sydney. Judges praised the educational philosophy and strong processes, structure and programs of the business and the quality of staff.
News Ltd Micro Business Award
Transformed Pty Ltd - Fyshwick
A national shortage of project managers led Michael Young to combine his background in project management and a longstanding interest in training and create Transformed Pty Ltd in 2007. Judges said the registered training organisation was an industry leader in the construction/project management/procurement training industry with a virtual business, office and team structure managed from one computer in Canberra.
MYOB Small Business Award
Provincial Plants and Landscapes - Pialligo
Founded in 2001, the carbon neutral-certified business operates a retail and wholesale nursery and revegetation service specialising in plants grown in chemical-free outdoor spaces which operate on renewable energy and harvested rainwater. Judges praised the commitment to the environment and sustainability of the business, its growth, the passion of the owners and their innovation in creating their own plants from tissue technology.
Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award
Point Project Management - Canberra
1300Australia People’s Choice Award
Point Project Management - Canberra
Open to all entrants in the 2012 Awards, the People’s Choice Award is decided by a public vote, allowing customers, staff, suppliers and colleagues to show their support for their local businesses.
The winners of the Telstra ACT Business Awards will be judged against category winners from other states and territories in the lead up to the national Telstra Australian Business Awards to be announced in Sydney on 29 August.
Winners of the 2012 Awards receive a share of $500,000 in cash and prizes and become part of an exclusive national business alumni.
For more information about the Telstra Australian Business Awards, visit telstrabusinessawards.com.