HE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE AT THE 24TH FIJI BUSINESS EXCELLENCY AWARDS

Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Fiji National University, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba;
Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata;
Members of the FNU Council and the NTPC Advisory Board ;
Members of the 2023 Panel of Review;
2023 FBEA Evaluators;
Acting Director of the National Training & Productivity Centre, Mr. Matereti Naborisi;
Leaders and Executives from the Private and Public Sector ;
Distinguished Guests ;
Ladies and Gentlemen Miau Sa Bula Re and a very good evening to you all.

Allow me to acknowledge the past, present, and future traditional custodians of the land upon which we have gathered here this evening. Tonight, I am delighted to be present here with you all to celebrate the 24th Fiji Business Excellence Awards Night. A momentous occasion in Fiji's business community and as your Head of State and Patron for the Fiji Business Excellence Awards, I am deeply honoured to address you all on this significant evening. I must express my sincere gratitude to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Fiji National University for the invitation extended to me to be your Guest of honour at this premier event.

Tonight, as we gather, it is crucial for us to pause and reflect on the journey that has led us to this point. To recognise the significance of Business Excellence in our society. To be steadfast in our belief that all organizations in Fiji must continue to strive to be the very best, to compete in today’s fast changing and competitive global environment.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Business Excellence framework focuses on developing and strengthening an organisation's management systems and processes with the aim to improve performance and add value for stakeholders. It encompasses every aspect of an organisation's operations, from leadership and strategy to customer focus, information management, people, and processes and the goal to achieve superior business results. The introduction of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards was mainly to promote Business Excellence in our nation, providing a framework for assessment based on similar principles to other Quality Awards worldwide. Being adopted in the Productivity Charter of 1995 and later strengthened in 2005, we can all proudly say that we have indeed come a long way.

Today, the Fiji Business Excellence Awards is a prestigious national award that is administered by the Fiji Business Excellence Awards Secretariat at the National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) of the Fiji National University. It aspires to create world-class organisations that contribute to a better quality of life for the people of Fiji. A notable criterion in the Fiji Business Excellence Framework is that the awards are open to all organisations in Fiji - regardless of size or industry and offer various categories to suit different types of businesses. Organisations undergo assessment against the FBEA framework, and winners are recognised for their achievements in areas such as leadership, customer focus, innovation, and sustainability. Winning a Fiji Business Excellence Award is a remarkable achievement that bestows organisations with numerous benefits. It helps build brand reputation and credibility, improves customer and employee satisfaction, and can lead to increased revenue and growth.

Ladies and gentlemen, at its core, business excellence is a mindset—a commitment for continuous improvement, innovation, and the pursuit of holistic excellence. It is about setting high standards, measuring performance against those standards, and relentlessly seeking ways to improve. Business excellence fosters a culture where every employee is empowered and engaged in contributing to the success of the organisation.

Business excellence can be adopted by organisations of all sizes and across all sectors. It is about understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of your business and leveraging your strengths to achieve sustainable growth. It is about embracing change, adapting to new technologies and market trends, and staying ahead of the curve. The benefits of business excellence are manifold. It leads to improved efficiency and productivity. By continuously seeking ways to optimise processes and eliminate waste, organisations can achieve higher levels of productivity, reduce costs, and improve their bottom line. Secondly, business excellence fosters a culture of innovation. By encouraging employees to think creatively, take risks, and challenge the status quo, organisations can unlock new ideas, products, and services. Innovation is the lifeblood of any successful organisation, and business excellence provides the framework to nurture and harness innovation.

Business excellence enhances customer satisfaction. By consistently delivering high-quality products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations, organisations can build strong and loyal customer relationships. Satisfied customers become advocates for your brand, drive business growth with repeated and bigger purchases and attracts new customers through positive word-of-mouth. Moreover, business excellence strengthens organisational resilience. In an increasingly volatile and uncertain business environment, organisations that have embraced excellence are better equipped to navigate through challenges and seize opportunities. They have robust systems and processes in place, a highly skilled and engaged workforce, and a culture of continuous upskilling and reskilling. This resilience enables organisations to adapt to change, mitigate risks, and thrive in the face of adversity.

Finally, business excellence contributes to the overall well-being of society. Organisations that operate with integrity, uphold ethical standards, and contribute positively to their communities are not only more likely to attract and retain customers but also gain the trust and respect of society at large. By practising responsible business practices and being socially and environmentally conscious, organisations can create a positive impact in the world around them. Ladies and gentlemen, in Fiji, as well as in other parts of the world, business excellence is crucial for future growth. Our local businesses and organisations face unique challenges, including limited resources, geographical constraints, brain drain, specialized skills being scarce and the need to compete in a global marketplace. Embracing business excellence allows us to overcome these challenges and unlock our full potential. Statistically, over the past 23 years, we have presented 282 awards to organisations that have applied. These organisations have benefited from their participation in the awards process and have continued to use the awards framework as an Organisational Self-Assessment tool for recognition.

Additionally, the FBEA Secretariat has organised training for almost 500 evaluators, equipping them with Business Excellence skills and knowledge. By adopting a mindset of excellence, our local businesses and organisations can improve their competitiveness, attract investment, and create jobs that contribute to our nation's economic prosperity. When our businesses excel, they become engines of growth, driving innovation, creating employment opportunities, and uplifting communities.

Tonight, I want to emphasise the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Business Excellence provides a platform for leaders, practitioners, and experts to come together, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Each organisation represented here tonight has unique experiences, successes, and lessons learned. By sharing these insights, we can collectively strengthen our understanding of best practices and innovative strategies. Let us not overlook the significance of embracing technological advancements. In today's digital age, technology serves as a driving force behind innovation and competitiveness. As we navigate the future, we must leverage emerging technologies to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and create new business opportunities. Whether it is through automation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, or digital marketing, technology can be a catalyst for transformation and growth. However, a word of caution, as we adopt technology, we must also prioritise cybersecurity and data protection. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, safeguarding sensitive information has become paramount. Organisations must invest in robust cybersecurity measures and ensure the protection of customer data.

By doing so, we not only protect our businesses but also maintain the trust and confidence of our customers. Ladies and gentlemen, we are faced with the harsh reality of the consequences of climate change and environment degradation, I urge all organisations to promote and implement sustainable practices in all business strategies. As a strong champion of the preservation, conservation and sustainable management practices and most importantly being responsible business leaders, it is our duty to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. Integrating sustainability into our operations not only benefits the planet but also enhances our reputation and attracts environmentally conscious customers.

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, I want to commend the National Training & Productivity Centre (NTPC) of the Fiji National University for their remarkable efforts in promoting business excellence and productivity in Fiji. The NTPC plays a crucial role in enhancing the skills and capabilities of our workforce, driving productivity improvement initiatives, and providing valuable training and development programs to empower our businesses.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Acting Director of NTPC, Mr. Matereti Naborisi and his dedicated staff for upholding the centre's national mandate and the vision of the Fiji Business Excellence Awards to enhance productivity excellence in our nation. Their unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in our organisations deserves commendation.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of the Panel of Review for the Fiji Business Excellence Awards. Their sacrifice and utmost dedication in reviewing the process and approving the recipients being recognised tonight are worthy of mention. Additionally, I wish to express my gratitude to all the evaluators who have played an integral role in the Fiji Business Excellence Awards evaluation process. Without their dedication and support, these awards would not be possible. Some of them are seated amongst us tonight, and their remarkable effort and sacrifice will also be recognised. With that being said, I now strongly believe that next year, the Fiji Business Excellence Awards will reach a milestone, celebrating 25 years of promoting and recognising excellence in organisations throughout our beloved nation. Our journey begins now, so let us embrace the vision and be the driving factor in the pursuit of excellence.

Before I conclude, I want to take a moment to congratulate all the recipients of this year's Fiji Business Excellence Awards. Your achievements are a testament to your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Setting the bar higher by utilising the Business Excellence Criteria and pursuing these awards has made a remarkable difference in your performance. I am confident that the results you have achieved demonstrate that you have exceeded expectations, outgrown your competitors, and built a remarkable workforce. But beyond these tangible outcomes, the true advantage of embarking on this journey lies in the transformation of your organisational culture.

Tonight, I encourage all of you to view your achievements not as the end but as a steppingstone towards even greater success. Let these awards serve as a reminder that excellence is not a destination, but a lifelong pursuit ingrained in the very fabric of your organisations. Ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone present here tonight, as your presence is a testament to your commitment to Fiji Business Excellence Awards and in promoting excellence in your respective organisations.

I wish you all a pleasant evening and may your organisations continue to thrive, grow, and make a positive impact in our society. Together, let us build a future of excellence for Fiji. May God bless us all and continue to bless Fiji!

Vinaka vakalevu and Thank you.