UK National Business Awards Chairman Philip Forrest lauds DCCI's MRM Business Award initiative

This was stated by Philip Forrest, UK National Business Awards Chairman, in an exclusive luncheon session organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) for the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MRM) Business Award on February 26 at the DCCI premises.

Forrest was speaking on "Enhancing Business High Performance through Participation in Business Awards" to a group of senior management from leading businesses in the UAE.

"The Business Award sponsored by the DCCI is indeed a unique approach to Business Award processes. It is one of its kind in the world where the actual performance criteria of the companies entering the Award are given the main focus. I am particularly impressed with the Business High Performance (BHP) Model which has been used in formulating the assessment criteria especially for its educational aspects in business best practices. I strongly urge the participation of as many companies as possible because mere participation in the Award processes itself will be very rewarding."

Forrest commenced the session with a brief background about the UK National Business Awards before moving on to draw parallels between the UAE BHP model and the findings of the 2004 UK National Business Award White Paper titled "Observed Characteristics of Successful Companies". According to Forrest, the close correlation would work well for a future cooperation between the UAE and UK business awards.

Forrest shared some best practises from British companies to drive home the importance of leadership perspectives, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, strategic initiatives and quality imperatives, key issues addressed effectively by the BHP model.

"Being a finalist or a winner is not the important part. More important is the participation in a unique knowledge-sharing forum and an opportunity to benchmark against a robust strategic business model which will benefit the business and the community as a whole, " concluded Forrest.

Currently visiting Dubai, Forrest has been closely associated with the business of national awards for more than a decade now. He is also the Chairman of the Osprey Partnership, a specialist consultancy dealing with Values Based Leadership & Management, Brand Strategy and Sales and Service Productivity Improvement.