Outstanding Business Person of the Year award went to Keith Rolle. Making the presentation on behalf of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce were Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch, Chairman/CEO Grand Bahama Shipyard; and Janet Albury, President, VIP Services Ltd. Photo: Yasmin Popescu, The Bahamas Weekly

President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, Peter Turnquest received award on behalf of the Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Mr. Maitland Cates. Presenting the award were (from left) Derek Newbold, Business Development Manager, Grand Bahama Port Authority Company Ltd; and Leigh Termath, VP, Bahama Buy & Sell. Photo: Yasmin Popescu, The Bahamas Weekly

Douglas Prudden, Director, Waugh Construction received an award for Philanthropic Business Person of the Year Award on behalf of Waugh Construction. Presenting the award (from left) was Mercynth Ferguson, Chamber Secretary; and Frank Outten, 2009 winner of this same award. Photo: Yasmin Popescu, The Bahamas Weekly

Mercynth Ferguson received award on behalf of Butler's Specialty Store, recipients of the Company of the Year, Category A. Presenting the award were: Jethlyn Burrows, VP, The Industrial Tribunal; and Alan Kelly, CEO, Grand Bahama Power Company.

Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company received the Company of the Year Award, Category B. Presenting the award were Alan Kelly, CEO, Grand Bahama Power Company and Vanessa Mallory, Executive VP Modalena Company Ltd. Photo: Yasmin Popescu, The Bahamas Weekly

Winner of the President's Award was Atlantic Medical who was represented by Lisa Turnquest. Presenting the award was Chamber President, Peter Turnquest. Photo: Yasmin Popescu, The Bahamas Weekly

Minister of Housing and MP for High Rock Hon. Kenneth Russell addressing the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce during their third annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony held at Our Lucaya on Saturday November 20, 2010. Photo: Yasmin Popescu, The Bahamas Weekly

He said today, we live in a world where “mediocrity ” is gaining ground on too many fronts, but he added as long as there are persons, who will not settle for any thing else but the very best, “excellence” will remain as the overwhelming benchmark for doing what we do – whether in business or otherwise, in our endeavours as a people.

"Indeed, it is most heartening to know that even during this protracted season of recession, there are those in business who did not water down their efforts or their products; and so tonight, awards of excellence can be presented once again" the Minister continued.

"Undoubtedly, the awardees for this 3^rd Annual Ceremony, have subscribed to your motto, which is:   “Building A Better Community With Excellence”.  

"Given the times, there must surely have been many challenges over the year past – to stay afloat and remain open for business - and to do so excellently!"      

Minister Russell went on to talk about five reasonable assumptions regarding the recipients of these prestigious awards to be presented this evening.

The first assumption he said is:   They are Blessed!  

"That suggests to me that they have given primacy to Almighty God – recognizing that everything and everyone is His; and that he is the sustainer of all things…and so, returning tithes and offerings and seeking His guidance in all that they undertook to do in business, was not alien to them…"

The second he said is: They understand the concept that says “the customer is king” – that there is no more effective advertisement for business than a satisfied customer…

As for the third, he felt they understand what is meant in contemporary terms as “the WOW factor”. He explained further, that when the customer experiences a product or service and exclaims:   “WOW! This is really good…” – that is the “WOW factor”.  

"And guess what? That customer will tell a friend, who will tell some more friends, and soon you will have to expand and employ more people etc, etc…" he added.

The Minister then implored, "Listen! I know it’s not easy, but the entrepreneur, who is driven by the mandates of excellence, will achieve the “WOW factor”. For example, in the hamburger business – he will make his beef patties fresh, from scratch every day; and everything else used on the sandwich, will also be fresh – in particular, the buns - every day - on every sandwich.   You know, nothing spoils an otherwise good hamburger sandwich like a stale bun that crumples in your hand…  

The fourth assumption he said is: they understand the paramount importance of being good to their staff – fair wages, recognition for good work output, proper working conditions, good benefits and so on. As the awardees would know, contented employees, who feel appreciated and adequately remunerated, will most likely see the business as theirs and do their very best including going over and beyond the call of duty…  

And the fifth and final assumption he gave as:   They understand the “Win-Win” principle.   When the customer feels that the product and/or service is virtually equal to the price charged, the customer goes away satisfied.   The same, you would appreciate, is true, when a business deal is negotiated.   Once the other party can see that they are being dealt with fairly, it is a “win-win” situation – every body wins!   And let me hasten to say that this, of course, is not an endorsement of “you know who…”   

The Minister then addressed the Chamber President, Mr. Peter Turnquest and said these awards tell me, as the saying goes, that while others slept, the awardees tonight were toiling well into the night; and as a consequence, they flourished while others failed.  

"Their tenacity of purpose and resolve has produced “Excellence” in the work place of their various businesses" he continued.   "This translates to the fact that their employees still have jobs, which means: They can still pay the mortgage, still buy food, still pay school fees, still pay Freeport Power, still pay Cable Bahamas, still buy gas for their cars and still do many other things…

 "Indeed, for every salary paid, the community benefits – and that’s a good thing, especially as we approach the Yuletide season.

"Having excelled under the trying circumstances of the times - affecting all and sundry, allows them, therefore – on this occasion -   to ascend to the plateau of distinguished role models for business in Grand Bahama. And so, we hold them out, and hold them up, to the community; and we do so with great pride!"