Not For Profit - For Business Success!

This year’s winner of the Integral Energy Illawarra Business Awards, Peoplecare Health Insurance, has an extra reason to be proud of its well earned acclaim.

For those who know the business well, it would come as little surprise that the long serving local service provider won the prestigious Business of the Year Award, as well as its industry Category: Retail and Personal Services Award. What would surprise many, however, is that Peoplecare is a 100% Not-For-Profit (NFP) business, and the first of this type to win the top prize since the Illawarra Business Chamber commenced its management of the Awards over ten years ago.

The times are changing however, as more and more the NFP sector recognises the need to be more business savvy, in order to remain operationally and financially viable.

Peoplecare is one such organisation. Starting out as a small, mutual health insurance company in 1953, this health insurance provider has grown to be an industry leader in 2008.

Peoplecare’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Bassingthwaighte was thrilled and surprised at winning the two major Awards, attributing the wins to a great team, loyal members and a community that has appreciated the Company’s personal approach to business.

"At Peoplecare we really have enjoyed being a part of the Illawarra community for more than 50 years now. On a personal note, it’s great to work with such a highly skilled, motivated and dedicated team of people – I dedicate these Awards to them", Michael said.

Judges of this year’s Business Awards were glowing in their praise of Peoplecare’s entry and were most impressed with, Peoplecare Marketing Manager Anita Mulrooney’s submission, where she wrote, "We understand members’ needs – they tell us what they think through regular independent surveys and focus groups. We aim to exceed their expectations and we are always working on ways to improve"

Co-judge of the Retail and Personal Services award, Mike Whiteman commented, "through careful financial management, diversification and strong industry involvement, Peoplecare was found to be an exceptional local business that has strong local involvement and a passion for excellence".

"Strong, independent research is used to benchmark the business against their competitors and they are regularly found superior is areas such as client retention, product diversity, customer satisfaction and pricing polices" Mike said.

In their submission, Peoplecare nominated six key areas as critical to the company’s business success. These were Product and Service Value, Growth, Financial Positioning, Technology Positioning and Value, People, Skills and Culture and Corporate Positioning.

The Company uses extensive independent research to benchmark itself against competitors, large and small, and also to ensure that their customers are satisfied with its performance.

Peoplecare has established itself as an industry leader, co-founding the Australian Health Service Alliance in 1994, and plays an instrumental role in many other industry organisations. It is through strategic and modulated planning and closely monitoring market changes, customer needs and satisfaction, that Peoplecare expounds the ideal model for business success in its sector; an enviable position for any business – profit making or not for profit.

Visit Us at: http://www.peoplecare.com.au

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