Forget the Oscars: 5 reasons to enter business awards instead

Jan 24th, 2014

There you are under the spotlight, thanking your mother, your father, your fantastic production team and your dog


Matthew McConaughey is practising his gracious loser face. Leonardo DiCaprio is swigging champagne. Meryl Streep is nodding earnestly, inspired by your words. Everybody is clapping.

At least that person in the mirror is.

Oh well, you didn’t want that Oscar anyway. Who wants to suffer through those self-congratulatory speeches, those autocue fails, those affected smiles?

Don’t give up on your dream though. There is an array of meaningful awards out there that recognise talent like yours.

Chasing plaudits may be low down on your priority list if you are a business-owner hard pressed to cover the day-to-day essentials. However, entering your business into competitions could do more than just make your mother proud.

A business award could:

1. Increase your business exposure

Whether you run an SME or a large corporation, you are unlikely to complain about your business gaining more attention. Winning an award could get your name echoing in the ears of potential customers you may otherwise have struggled to reach. And you don’t even have to win to get attention; simply being shortlisted can be enough to boost your company’s profile.

For maximum exposure, be sure to promote your achievement after the event. Write a press release about your good news and submit it to relevant media outlets, write a post for your company blog, shout about it on social media and update marketing materials such as business cards, brochures and company websites to reflect that your business is an award-winner.


2. Cement your reputation as a trusted authority within your industry

Your business may have all the knowledge and expertise in the world but unless you find a way to show people what you can do, your hard work could go unrewarded. Perhaps you’re already getting your name and face in all the right places but still have trouble closing the deal. Being awarded or shortlisted for a prize by a respected industry body or judging panel is a shorthand way of letting people know that you’re at the top of your game. Not only does an award prove to your target market that your organisation has achieved, it also shows that your business has been endorsed by key influencers in your industry.


3. Differentiate your business from the competition

A business award is an ace up your sleeve. When competition is tough, it can be the difference between winning a client and going home empty-handed. When it comes to cost, quality, skill, knowledge and service delivery, you may struggle to distinguish your business in your industry. However, when a potential client or investor is sizing you up against your competitors, a business award could give you the edge.


 4. Boost employee morale

Winning or being shortlisted for an award can be a great staff motivator. The importance of celebrating hard work and attainment cannot be overstated when it comes to raising confidence levels in a business. Generally, employees want to be proud of the organisation they work for and want to be acknowledged for the part they play in its success. Entering a business competition can send a signal to your employees that you are proud of their efforts. Furthermore, the experience of attending an award ceremony can in and of itself be a fantastic way to enhance team spirit and improve future productivity.


 5. Impress potential investors

A prestigious award can add credibility to your business and make you a more attractive prospect to potential investors. Not only does having a list of accolades to its name suggest that a business is performing well, it indicates that it is a forward-thinking and active player in its industry. As an award can give your business the competitive edge, it can be seen as a lower risk investment in the eyes of potential shareholders or venture capitalists.


Click Consult is a proud sponsor of the following awards:

The Prolific North Awards 2014, a competition that recognises and rewards outstanding campaigns and exceptional talent in the creative and media industries across the North. For more information about the awards, including advice on entering, see http://prolificnorthawards.co.uk/.

 The High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise 2014, a competition that celebrates outstanding Cheshire businesses with a turnover of at least £500,000 and between 5 and 250 employees. For more information about the awards, including advice on entering, see http://www.chester.ac.uk/hs/about.


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