The David Awards celebrate ordinary small Kiwi businesses doing extraordinary things.
David was a young shepherd who, in the eyes of most observers, had little chance in his fight against Goliath. However, he had proven skills (he had previously fought off bears and lions with his bare hands!), he was prepared (he had the five smooth stones in his pocket), he refused to conform (he turned down the armour offered to him as it weighed him down) and he never had a moment’s doubt about the outcome of the battle.
It’s the age-old celebration of the underdog, of the triumph of belief and preparedness over strength and recognition, of how the “little guy” with experience and skill can exploit unseen weaknesses to overcome the “giant”. New Zealand’s small businesses more than hold their own against the country’s business “Goliaths”. They are nimble, resilient and find creative solutions when faced with challenges and barriers. Above all, they believe in their ability to take on the world.
In addition to courage and unfaltering determination, David made sure to carefully choose perfect ammunition for his battle. In the context of The David Awards, David’s five river stones represent Courage, Tenacity, Ingenuity, Excellence and Authenticity. These five qualities are what our entrepreneurial “Davids” have in spades!