By Jayne MundayIpswich-based web retailer
BuyaShed.com is among ten Australian finalists in the running for the 2009
Dell Small to Medium Business Excellence Award.
Selected from more than 150 applications, finalists receive a Dell business-class laptop and training vouchers from
EXCOM Education.
Announced in September, the national winner will receive consulting time with Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell, US$25,000 in Dell technology and $9,000 in vouchers from EXCOM Education.
The top business will also be awarded one year membership to
Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ) and registration for two people to the annual SEAANZ conference.
BuyaShed is an online retailer of outdoor products, including: sheds, carports, garages, garden sheds, patios and relocatable buildings.
Established in June 2007 by Director Josh Rimmington and Co-Director Tony Shaw, the company found success early, expanding to New Zealand after only one year.
Previously working in the traditional site-based shed industry, Rimmington says he saw an opening for online selling.
“It all started as a part-time thing, before we both decided to quit our full-time jobs,” he says.
“Within six months, we had grown to the largest garden shed and garage retailer in Australia.”
With low overheads and minimal inventory costs, BuyaShed is able to offer cut-price stock.
Its innovative approach to selling has ensured a continual stream of referral clients.
“We try to keep our service as simple as possible,” Rimmington explains.
“Customers can either access our site online, call our 1300 number or print off an order-form and send it to us,” he says.
The streamline servicing and web-based portal made it easy for BuyaShed to qualify for the Dell awards.
“Because it was based around how we used IT to grow business, it was fairly easy to fill out the entry form,” Rimmington says.
“Our system is computer based, so our database, receipts and orders are all done electronically,” he says.
“Even our marketing is done through the internet.”
Once named, the 13 national winners from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States will be considered for the 2009 Global Dell Small Business Excellence Award.
This winner will receive a ticket to an entrepreneur’s summit hosted by Michael Dell, $50,000 in Dell products, and a lifetime membership to the International Council for Small Business.
Rimmington admits that although he is unsure of what the judges will be looking for, he has faith in his brain-child.
“We have a solid business model. So we have a good chance,” he says.
The Australian 2009 Dell Small Business Excellence Award finalists also feature businesses from Western Australia, Victoria and NSW.
General Manager of Dell Small and Medium Business for Australia and New Zealand, Deborah Harrigan, says the competition has a strong focus on IT innovation.
“In today’s economy, these businesses are proof that smart IT investments can not only pay off for the business itself, but for their customers as well,” Harrigan says.
“This year’s finalists are applying technology in new, innovative ways - often for the first time in their industries - to break new ground and raise the bar,” she says.
“They serve as strong examples for all our customers of the positive impact IT can have on business success and customer satisfaction.”