Why enter awards?

Nomination

Just by being nominated for an award is a tremendous boost for any individual or team nominated by their organisation for a major award programme.  As most nominations for national awards tend to come from senior management, this is tantamount to the organisation saying “We think you are equal to or better than the very best in the country”.  This is the equivalent, in sporting terms, to being the national heavyweight boxing champion or winner of the national 100 metres championship or any other sporting analogy that excites.  In team awards the analogy would be with winning the F.A. Cup or the County Cricket Championship.  The point being made is that such sporting success comes to the most successful participants who have excelled against their peers and such triumph normally only comes after years of dedication and outstanding achievement.  Outside of the sporting world the desire to be the best and pride of achievement is no less but the reward mechanism is not always as easy to determine.  Selecting the right award programme allows national recognition to be focused on outstanding people who day-in and day-out perform their tasks with flare, dedication and success resulting in creating growth and well-being to their organisations and satisfaction to those they serve.

Normally the cost of an entry fee is modest compared to what an organisation might pay to provide staff motivation.  The motivational effect of an accolade such as being nominated for a major award is tremendous value for the lasting effect that it has upon morale, compared to buing meals, throwing parties or evenings out.

Entry Process

Most award programmes have an entry process that involves supporting the nomination by setting out details of the success and how it has been achieved.  Quite often, busy and successful individuals and teams drive on day after day without reflecting on their success or the reasons for it.  Many entrants discover that one of the most rewarding aspects of entering an award is the process of sitting down, probably as a team, and thinking about what has happened and the reasons for the success.  In many cases, this leads to further thoughts and future improvements.

Celebration and PR

For winners, finalists and those highly commended the process goes on.  The thrill of the awards ceremony, the internal and external PR and the satisfaction are all fantastic well-being factors that result from entering an awards programme.  Contracts have been won, companies have grown, grants have been awarded as a result of the attention focused on successful award entries.