The Consultancy Growth Network’s Post

Are you doing incredible award winning things but struggling to find the time to enter awards? Or are you questioning whether awards are worth all the time and effort? We have some Plain Speaking thoughts to share on the topic ... 👇 #Norfolkbusiness #PRagency #Businessawards #PRforgood #Copywriting

It’s award season now, with lots of opportunities to nominate your business, your people and your projects.   Are you thinking “Ooh yes, we should enter” But... “Isn’t it a lot of bother for little or no return"?   Here’s our take on it.   Winning or being shortlisted for a credible*, respected award gives your business the opportunity to: 🏆 Recognise and reward your team for their hard work, boost team motivation and morale all while putting your business on a pedestal to help attract new talent. 🏆 🏆 Showcase your competitive edge, what you do well, and why your business stands out from the rest. 🏆 🏆 🏆 Demonstrate how your brand is putting its values into practice, such as your commitment to sustainability, diversity, your people or community. 🏆🏆 🏆 🏆 Elevate your brand, enhance your reputation and boost your credibility within the business community. *Yep we said ‘credible’.   Word of caution. There are some award schemes out there which are pure ‘vanity’ awards or operate in questionable ways.   So, with so many to choose from, and some timewasters to filter out, it’s important to do the research and planning upfront, making sure you’re investing your time, budget and resources into the ones which: a) Are the real deal b) You have a good chance of being shortlisted in or winning. For our #Norfolk friends and connections, we’d recommend looking at the EDP Business Awards, which are now open. Entries close on Sunday 28th July. https://lnkd.in/e7jDbU_Q   🤙 If ‘research and enter awards’ is on your growing to-do list, and you’d like a no-nonsense chat about how we might be able to support you, please get in touch.   (Not to brag but we recently bagged one client a national win and a shortlisting too.) Pippa & Hannah

The sheer amount of work involved in entering awards is why so many businesses fail to apply—even when they have an excellent chance of winning. At Green Door Co we want to change that. It’s why we project manage the entire awards process end-to-end. → Matching you with the right awards. → Interviewing key players to dig deep into your business’ achievements, purpose, processes and journey. → Supporting you with preparing supplementary evidence. → Writing the captivating awards submissions. → Submitting your entry on your behalf. And our results? 98% of our clients have been shortlisted or won an award at least once. If you’d like to get on the front foot with entering your business in awards, let’s chat. You can learn more and book your discovery call right here: https://lnkd.in/gf_fTjjS

Do you want to:  ✅ get closer to your clients  ✅ get external validation of the quality of your work  ✅ share evidence that you stand out from the crowd  ✅ reward your team’s hard work  ✅ bring your team together to celebrate your achievements?    When I was leading my consultancy, we won 31 awards in 7 years. This level of recognition meant that clients no longer needed convincing of our credentials. They became confident that our approach was the right one, and the conversation turned far more to the nature of the solution and whether they could afford to do it ‘the right way’.    Delivering award winning programmes also did wonders for our ability to attract high performers and motivate our team.    There are 4 weeks left until the early-bird deadline for The Consultancy Awards. Enter before 11 December and you will get £100 off your entry (minimum price £399).    You can explore the categories and entry forms here: https://lnkd.in/edbtuGR5.    Give this post a like and I will send you some useful resources to help with your submissions. #consultingawards #recognition #consultancyexcellence The Consultancy Growth Network | Luke Badiali | Charlotte Campbell | Alison El Moghraby | George Berrington | James Hurman | Oli Hoade | Amy Rashbrooke | The GC Index | SBR Consulting | Seedling | New Minds | Total Growth Ownership | B Corp™️ | Honeycomb Consulting Skills Training

When you’re in business, your focus is understandably on the present and future so it is easy to forget everything you’ve done so far. It is one of the unexpected benefits of entering awards – it is an opportunity to take stock and realise how far you’ve come. Often when I work with clients on their awards entries, they are pleasantly surprised when they list their achievements and accomplishments in business. So even if you don’t get a prize, you’ll still get something positive out of the process. Get a free consultation and quote on a bespoke business awards strategy by contacting Credible Source Solutions at our website https://bit.ly/3DsXkol #creatingworkplacepositivity #businessawards #celebrate #achievements

#AwardCeremonies are largely bullsh*t. At best they're a good night out, and at worst, they can be quite damaging because... 1. The firms who DON'T win, can think badly of themselves, when they perhaps shouldn't, as it can lower their morale. 2. The firms that DO win, can think too highly of themselves, when they might have all sorts of problems that need fixing and overlook them. 3. Other businesses look up to the winners, thinking they're the BEST IN THE INDUSTRY, when they're not.... they're the best of WHO ENTERED (me being hopeful 🤞 )... OR... they have the largest social media following, and so it makes sense to give them the award as the award company gets the most promotion by doing so (me being sceptical 🤣) EITHER WAY... they're a distraction and there's only 5 awards any business should go for... #1 Being highly profitable. This is the primary goal in business that unlocks everything else. Are you more profitable than last year? #2 The business running and thriving well without the owner. If it can't then the owner will be holding the business back and accidentally diminishing the team. Are they involved less than last year? #3 The team loving working in the business and constantly flourishing, measured on a monthly basis, possibly measured by an eNPS score. Is that score improving? #4 Wowed and delighted clients as measured by a NPS score or something similar. Is that score improving? #5 Positively impacting your client's worlds and the wider world beyond. How many reviews and success stories can you tell this year? You don't need an outside agency to award you for ANY of these. Measure them yourselves. Keep yourself honest. Actively seek to improve them on a continual basis. Award yourselves for making improvements, however small... ...with YOUR OWN award ceremony.

Do I still get nervous about award presentations? Yes. Why? Because I care. Hoop and our Hoopies mean everything to me and I want to make them proud. Tomorrow, Luisa Gale Assoc CIPD & I are presenting for the Employer of the Year Award Cardiff Business Awards, everyone, nerves are fine, this isn't my first rodeo and (hopefully!) won't be my last, however much experience you have it's absolutely fine to feel nervous. Embrace the butterflies and enjoy the moment. People First. Always. #recruitment #hooprecruitment

From industry-specific accolades to national headline-grabbers, the allure of awards recognition is undeniable. But amidst this celebratory frenzy, a critical question emerges: are we, as businesses, succumbing to an oversaturation of Business Awards? Have these once-coveted symbols of achievement become diluted by sheer quantity? The answer, like most things in business, isn't a simple yes or no. Recognition remains valuable. A well-deserved award can elevate your brand profile, attract talent, and bolster customer confidence. However, a scattergun approach – entering every award under the sun – can backfire. Not only does it spread resources thin, but it risks devaluing the very recognition you seek. Here's why a strategic approach to awards is crucial for Australian businesses.➡️ https://lnkd.in/gbdWH9kD

Award ceremony season can create alienation as well as admiration… This came to light whilst I’m with a client, having found out that she’s a finalist, following on from her self-nomination that we completed together. Which brings me to the topic of recognition in business. We all work tirelessly and relentlessly on our businesses, and while some may not seek external validation, others feel disheartened when they are not acknowledged for their hard work. If you find yourself in the latter category, I encourage you to consider self-nomination. Did you know that 80% of businesses nominate themselves for public awareness? Who knows your business better than you? Receiving an award is not the ultimate measure of success, yet it is a validating process of your success. However, it's crucial to carefully select where you choose to nominate yourself. And it’s also crucial to remember that awards do not dictate that someone else's work is better than yours. Winning an award does not diminish the value of your work or the work of others. It is a subjective process and should not be the sole measure of success. Be selective however, think about your brand and where you have positioned it in the world. Who’s validation do you really want? #awards #ceremonies #businesses #recognition #validation #business #simplepr

We all know how tough it can be to stand out in a crowded market. While client testimonials are valuable, potential clients often wonder, "Can we trust this?" This is where integrating awards as a part of your growth strategy comes in, offering: 🎖 External Validation: Awards provide third-party proof that your work stands out. 🎖 Client Confidence: They shift client focus from questioning your credentials to crafting the best solutions together. 🏅 Team Motivation: Winning awards fosters pride and retention within your team. 🎖 Stronger Client Relationships: Partnering with clients on award-winning projects deepens trust and collaboration. Founder & CEO, Marc Jantzen says, “At my former consulting firm, Blue Sky, we won 31 awards in 7 years. It was a major differentiator for our business. It provided a great source of validation and celebration in our team.” Considering entering The Consultancy Awards 2025? It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain recognition and celebrate consulting excellence. Read about why you should enter the awards and register your interest here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehQkWSPN Alison El Moghraby | George Berrington | Oli Hoade | James Hurman | Luke Badiali | Charlotte Campbell | Amy Rashbrooke | Karen Sutton | The Awards Trust Mark #Consulting #GrowthStrategy #Awards #ConsultancyAwards