Business Awards

Are winners really grinners?

Making business awards work for you

We've been thinking a lot about business awards lately - are they all they're cracked up to be? Does a winner make a grinner? Is there a strategy to winning? We think yes, yes and yes. But, like every good marketing tool, you need to make your business awards work for you.

Why would you fill out yet another bit of paperwork?

Modern society attaches credibility and importance to awards. We respect awards. We're a competitive bunch, you see. Look at reality TV. Even the most dubious premise for a TV show pulls in viewers if there's a prize at the end of it (would you give a rat's otherwise about a farmer wanting a wife?).

It's in our nature to pay attention to award winners. If you haven't ever picked a bottle of wine because it had a little gold prize winner sticker on it, I'll eat my hat (and drink that wine).

So, is there a lesson in here somewhere?

Absolutely. And whilst this may seem absurd (or at least bleedingly obvious), rule number one of business awards is to Enter the Damn Things! But we know how easy it is, when we're busy, to let the things that are important but not urgent lose out to the urgent, very urgent and most urgent (remember Stephen Covey - not everything that is urgent is necessarily important).

The application process is great practice at articulating your message and your business value, so treat it seriously.

Remember:

Don't hold back. Step up and take full bragging rights.

Read the application form carefully and make sure your entry meets all the application criteria.

Do your research. Find out who the judges are, their specialty areas. Address their particular areas of interest in your application.

Utilise the strength of narrative - a strong opening and a strong ending to bookend a really good story.

Be professional.

Tailor your entries.

Use an independent proofreader. Have a communications specialist help you with the writing.

Beauty, style and flawlessness - that's what you're aiming for.

If at first you don't succeed: learn from your losses and try, try again

I'd like to thank the Academy!

So you've won! Well done. Now the work starts!

Take the Award's PR seriously - including going to the ceremony to collect your trophy or round of applause. Business awards can be fun and a good networking opportunity.

Keep a record of your achievements, and brag brag brag! Bragging doesn't mean talking endlessly about yourself until your customer goes to sleep, either.

Bragging (a.k.a leveraging your win) could include:

Media Releases.

Direct mail campaign to your customers - remember to give them credit for the business awards win.

Attaching the words "Award winning" to any marketing collateral you develop for the next 50 years!

Display your business awards for all to see

Announce the award on your website

A few of the many business awards on offer:

Australian Business Awards

Telstra Business Awards

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Australian Business Excellence Awards

Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards

Australian Small Business Champion Awards

Return to News