Women too modest to nominate for awards?

Australian women are very modest when it comes to recognising their professional achievements, the Telstra Business Women's Awards nomination process has revealed.

Holly Kramer, group managing director for Telstra Product Management and Telstra Business Women's Awards Ambassador, said despite their remarkable achievements women were still reluctant to put up their hands and seek acknowledgement.

"Despite the fact that we are seeing excellent levels of nominations for this year's Awards, more than 86 percent of women who have currently been nominated have been put forward by someone else," Ms Kramer said.

"During the past five years we've seen more nominations for the awards but a decline in the number of women nominating themselves.

"Whether this is because women are modest or they don't realise how amazing and inspirational their efforts are, we'd like to see more women putting themselves forward for the Telstra Business Women's Awards," Ms Kramer said.

 

The nomination data indicates the main reason women are being nominated this year is the passion they put into their work. Women are clearly inspiring others to take the time to nominate them.

Ms Kramer said in 2005 almost 36 percent of women who entered the awards were self-nominees, in 2006 it was 37 percent, but since then the number of women nominating themselves has slid gradually.

In 2007 only 19 percent were self-nominees, last year fewer than 17 percent of women nominated themselves, and to date this year fewer than 14 percent of the nominees put themselves forward.

"Programs like the Telstra Business Women's Awards offer successful business women the opportunity to raise their business' profile and be recognised for their success," Ms Kramer said.

"We know that women are often busy multi-tasking and balancing work, life and family so sometimes highlighting their achievements falls by the wayside. The awards provide the much-needed recognition for women in business all over Australia.

"This year we celebrate the awards' 15th year and so far we've recognised more than 400 exceptional business women. We are calling on all Australians to nominate both themselves and other deserving women, whose business journey, hard work and dedication to their chosen field have been an inspiration to others."

2008 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year Leanne Wesche encourages women to nominate for the awards immediately.

"I would encourage all women in business to participate in the program. Completing the entry process is a learning experience that will help you grow professionally," Ms Wesche said.

"The Telstra Business Women's Awards provide participants with the acknowledgement of the great job they are doing and provide your business with valuable publicity and recognition."

In 2009, there are five award categories open to Australian business women:

Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award - for owners with a 50 percent share or more in a business with responsibility for key management decision making;

Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award - for employees in the private and corporate sectors, or owners with less than a 50 percent share of a business;

White Pages Community and Government Award - for employees in government departments, statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations;

Nokia Business Innovation Award - for eligible business owners, private sector employees and entrepreneurs who answer the Innovation questions in the Entry form; and

Marie Claire Young Business Women's Award - for entrants who are eligible in one of the three qualifying categories who were born on or after July 30, 1974.

Awards are offered in each category in every state and territory with the winners eligible for the national finals in November. Nominations close on July 10.

http://www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/