Boost Your Chances of Winning the South East Business Awards

Ten top tips for impressing the judges

Winning a business award is not only a great morale-booster for your company, it can have tangible benefits that will affect the bottom line. The publicity – in local and trade media coverage and among customers – that comes from being a winner or a runner-up is priceless. And it’s all free!

So, if you consider that your company has award-winning potential and decide to submit an entry, how can you maximise your chances of success?

When it comes to entry forms, quality wins out over quantity – follow these simple guidelines and you will give yourself the best chance of impressing the judges:

1. Always read the application form and rules carefully. Note what the judges are looking for and answer each question carefully.
2. Allow enough time to fill out the application form – hastily-completed forms can result in a poor entry that could jeopardise your chances of winning.
3. Incorporate any background information that will help demonstrate your success and place it in context – the judges will not necessarily be familiar with your industry.
4. Include facts and figures plus examples where relevant – these will carry more weight than pages of unsubstantiated claims.
5. Avoid excessive use of technical jargon which the judges, who are unlikely to be from your industry, might not understand.
6. Include financial information and, if appropriate, customer testimonials.
7. Do not include website links as judges are likely to read your entry in hard copy format only.
8. Make sure that your entry is thoroughly proof-read and spell-checked. Mistakes in spelling and grammar can make a negative impression.
9. Ask someone unconnected with your business to read through your entry – this is a good way to ensure that it will make sense to the judging panel.
10. Remember that a clean, professional entry with double-spaced typing and an easy-to-read font is a must. A touch of originality might help to make your entry memorable but it is no substitute for hard facts. You’re being judged on your business success not your creative flair.

If, after giving it your best shot, you’re not a winner don’t be disheartened. The process of entering will almost certainly have been a useful exercise in ‘auditing’ your business. Go along to the awards ceremony to enjoy the networking opportunity and the celebrations – and start planning next year’s entry.

These top tips are bought to you by Business Link.