As a business owner you need to be thinking six months, a year or five years into the future and an entry into the business awards allows you as an owner or manager to do that.

It is a good time to take stock of where your business is at and where you want to be in the future.

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It’s not about the winning

Winning is an added bonus.

Actually doing the entry makes you seriously think about your business and where it’s going, about your marketing, how you’re attracting customers, and about your compliance.

Benefits of entering awards

How to do the application

Get your team involved in the application. Not only does this make the whole process easier but your team can also help you brainstorm.

They may think of angles that you might not have thought about. It also makes the shared achievement of winning all the more special.

Start the application early so you have time to go over it in detail. Read the questions carefully so you know exactly what is required.

Be honest and open. Don’t be shy so feel free to mention recent awards, any remarkable achievements, etc.

Keep to the maximum number of words. Don’t ramble on but be accurate and concise.

Save your work so you can edit it and email it later.

Awards time is an opportunity to network with like-minded business owners. It’s not a case of friend versus foe but a time to all improve what you do together.

It’s also great to take some time out to sit back and reflect – or bask in the glory. Reward your staff for working hard by inviting as many staff along as possible.

Keep perspective, as there’s always room for improvement. Vow to do better each year.