DANDENONG restauranteur Rahimi Baryalai received the Chairman’s Award at Tuesday night’s Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association Christmas dinner.
The award was instituted in 2005 for a “significant contribution to Central Dandenong retailing” and is not awarded annually – only when there is a worthy recipient.
Outgoing chairman Roy Aspinall said Mr Baryalai from Afghan Pamir Restaurant had been a great ambassador for Central Dandenong for many years through the promotion of his business on television programs and other media.
“Rahimi has also had positive reviews from foodies including Matt Preston from MasterChef,” Mr Aspinall said.
Mr Baryalai was thrilled with the award, beaming as fellow traders and his son congratulated him.
Also thrilled and “stoked” were the Central Dandenong Retailer of the Year finalists, which will each receive a framed certificate, signwriting on their window and publicity.
Menzline Mason Reed has been in Dandenong Plaza, two doors down from Myer, for about 18 years.
“It was absolutely awesome,” operations manager John Lemmo said.
“We’re probably one of the longest-standing businesses in Dandenong Plaza.”
Polish Rye Crust Bakery has been in Forster Street for three years.
“We’re only babies to this industry,” owner Andrew Lipiszko said.
He said his wife Hanna was the driving force behind the successful business, which sells traditional Polish baked goods and home recipes.
The Good Guys has been in Dandenong for 32 years and is relocating to the new home maker centre on the Dandenong Bypass for more space.
“I think we can call ourselves an iconic Dandenong business,” spokesman Allen Garb said.
He said he was very proud of the nomination.
“That’s really why you go to work every day. It’s because of your customers,” he said.
Universal Pool Care husband and wife team Mary and Michael Wanless have lived in Dandenong all their lives and run the store for 15 years.
Their son works for them, their other two children come in from time to time, their nephew calls in, and two golden retrievers also help with customers.
“Our customers are family as well,” Michael said.
“They’re important to us.”
Guest speaker, business coach Jan Bidstrup, said: “There is no higher form of recognition that to be nominated by your customers.”
He shared tips on how to run a more profitable business and said blame, excuses and denial were holding people back.
Instead they need to take ownership, be accountable, and be responsible, Mr Bidstrup said.
“In order to grow your business, you need to grow yourself,” he said.
“You are in control.”
He said referral strategies, encouraging customers to return, using the internet to advantage, up-selling, picking a niche and targeting your customers were among the most important strategies.
