A Canny Choice!

In the world of awards there are always going to be categories that are more popular than others – for example businessman of the year, business woman of the year, business person of the year, entrepreneur of the year, SME of the year, company of the year, growing business of the year…

Categories such as these are never going to be low on applications / nominations and this can, at times, put people off from entering awards at all.  What a shame!

Category Choice

What does come as a genuine surprise to many of our clients when we first start working with them is that not all categories are equal and, depending on what exactly your business does and how it does it, there may be some categories – even in very prestigious local / regional / national awards – that struggle to gain nominations.  In our experience these include;

• • International trade
  • Export
  • Sustainability
  • CSR / charity partnership / community engagement
  • Innovation (though, in fairness, entries to innovation categories / awards does appear to be steadily growing at the moment)
  • Diversity and Inclusivity

 

International Trade and Export

Let’s take international trade / export as a prime example.

FACT – UK companies that export are in the minority, so there is undoubtedly going to be fewer companies entering international trade and export categories – let alone stand-alone export and international trade awards – than other categories.  That gives any company who is proactively exporting and trading internationally a huge advantage and we say grab that opportunity and run with it!

Of course, if you have a hankering to be business of the year or business person of the year, go ahead and enter that category too (if you have a strong story to tell) but don’t shy away from categories that you can 100% nail and others can’t –  It’s an extremely positive advantage and it would be such a shame not to capitalise upon it.

Does it Count?

Sometimes our clients ask:

“Yes, but does it count?  If we win and there were fewer nominations in a less popular category / award – does it really count?”

We say YES! YES! YES!  It’s not about popularity, it’s about skill, expertise and the results you get.  You are doing something few others are doing. Why shouldn’t you be celebrated for it and, potentially, inspire others to try it too? There was an oft-quoted saying in DIT – now UKTI – circles that the fastest growing companies and the most resilient companies were those who exported / traded internationally.  (Something to think about in these interesting trading times we think).

We also get asked by some:

“If we enter Exporter of the Year and win, is that as prestigious as winning Business of the Year?”

Our honest answer will always be: ‘what would it mean to you, your staff, your clients and potential clients, your advisors and stakeholders?’

Assuming that the Award is a credible award (something we’ve discussed in previous blogs) the category will also be credible, and news of your win will be received extremely favourably.

Examples of Stand-alone International Trade and Export Awards

You can find export awards via google but here are a few to get you started off;

• • Business Export Awards – https://www.northernexportawards.co.uk/
  • Fermanagh Herald Growth Through Export Awards – https://fermanaghherald.com/2019/08/2019-nominees-growth-through-export-award/
  • The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: International Trade – https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise/eligibility
  • International Trade Finance Awards – https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/services/international-trade-finance-awards-2019/
  • The British Exporters Association Awards – http://www.bexa.co.uk/bexa-celebrates-2019-award-winners/

 

Examples of Business Awards with International Trade / Export Categories

Many, many, many general business awards whether they concentrate on the local, regional or national business scene have dedicated categories within them for international trade / export.  Just a few of our favourites include;

• • Midlands Insider Awards: Export Award – https://www.insidermedia.com/event/made-in-the-midlands-awards-2019
  • Lloyds Bank National Business Awards: Exporter of the Year Award – https://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/all-categories
  • Institute of Directors Director of the Year Awards: International Category – https://www.iodawards.com/welcome/2019winners
    • Win regionally and you automatically enter the national awards too!
  • FSB Awards: International Business of the Year – https://www.fsbawards.co.uk/award-categories.html3
    • Win regionally and you automatically enter the national awards too!
  • Growing Business Awards: Export champion of the Year – https://growingbusinessawards.co.uk/finalists

 

.. and there are, quite literally, hundreds of others.

So ask yourself: ‘what have I got to lose, what have I got to gain?’

We think that, by relooking at what your business does and how it does it, it will enable you to be far cannier in choosing the awards and award categories you enter. From experience we know that the very positive results of a strategic and well thought through awards campaign (including lesser-entered categories) are there for your taking.

To find out more or to receive our FREE indicative awards list please contact Rach via email: rachel@theawardspeople.co.uk