Winning business awards can be a major boost for your business – and not just financially. In fact, there are a variety of benefits that can flow from winning awards, both short- and long-term. So whether you’re thinking of entering one of our UK business awards, or you already have a few under your belt, this article is for you!
Benefits of Winning an Award for UK SMEs
Any company who has ever had experience with business awards will tell you that it can only have a positive impact on business. Whether you’re a small business or a large one, being a finalist or winning an award can have a lot of benefits. Whether it’s a prestigious business award, a coveted customer award, or a commendation from your peers with a “Rising Star Award”, recognising your personal and company success can be hugely motivational. Not to mention, awards are a great opportunity to showcase your company’s achievements, attract new customers or investors, and build team spirit.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the different types of awards out there, as well as detailing the key benefits of winning each one. And if that’s not enough to get you excited, we’ve also included tips on how to make the most of business awards season in your business.
Is it worth the hassle?
Most awards application processes are long and boring. It can seem like it’s more of a chore than anything else, so it is no wonder you might wonder “is it even worth it?”. Time zapping entry forms take you away from the important daily tasks, and can get in the way of your business. This is actually one way Business Awards UK is different, with a quick award entry form for Small Business entries that won’t take up your afternoon!
Winning awards can help companies achieve a number of positive outcomes, including increased brand recognition, better sales, and increased market share. Furthermore, awards can help build customer loyalty and foster strong relationships with other businesses.
Here are the most common benefits of winning a business award: –
1. Winning an award can have a positive impact on your business, regardless of the size of your company.
2. It can attract new customers and increase brand awareness.
3. Bad publicity from negative PR can be quickly replaced by good news from a positive one.
4. Accolades for employees provide motivational boosts for staff and help keep morale high in the workplace.
5. Awards can also help you to develop team spirit and encourage collaboration amongst employees.
6. Winning an award can give you the confidence to take on new challenges and increase business growth.
7. Awards can also help to promote your business internationally.
8. Honours can help to promote your business internally and showcase the excellence of your company to the public.
Tips on how to maximise the benefits of winning an award
Make sure you’re well-prepared for entering by ensuring all your marketing materials are ready, and you have a list of reasons why you should win. This will include any small or significant wins for your business or employees over the year. With a little bit of effort, and by drawing on the experience of your employees, you can maximise the benefits of winning an award for your business.
Our best tips for an SME to win awards and capitalise on the win
Winning awards is a great way to boost business success and recognition. But it’s not easy – in fact, it can be quite challenging. So, here are 8 best tips for small businesses to win awards: –
1. Believe in your business – awards are only as good as the business that wins them. Take the time to nurture it and give it your all.
2. Be competitive – awards can help you stand out from the pack, so don’t be afraid to compete and let others know how good your company truly is.
3. Get social media buzzing – awards-related posts are a great way to increase exposure and interest in your business.
4. Make a plan for how you’ll use the extra publicity to capitalise among your customers and peers.
5. Be gracious in victory – know that others will have put time and effort into entering the awards, so make sure to acknowledge competitors publicly.
6. Stay humble – winning awards isn’t the only thing that counts; it’s about putting your employees first and ensuring that you maintain a sense of perspective.
7. Make sure you display a physical award, such as trophies and plaques. These are great to display to new customers, clients (and competitors!).
8. Take time for yourself – awards ceremonies can be exhausting, so take time out to relax and reflect on all that’s been achieved with your team.
Tell the world!
Overall, to prepare for a winning awards ceremony, it’s important to set up a well-oiled publicity machine that will help promote the win immediately after it happens. This means creating posters, social media posts, email blasts etc., and distributing them as quickly as possible. Making sure that all marketing materials are consistent with the brand’s overall image is also important. Obtain any awards assets such as graphics, stickers or physical awards (trophies, plaques etc.) and make sure you publicise them!
Why a physical business award is important
There’s no doubt that online awards can be incredibly powerful marketing tools for your business. But in order to truly stand out from the competition, it’s important to showcase your award-winning achievements in a physical space. Not only will this impress potential clients and customers, but it’ll also give you bragging rights – something that no digital campaign can replace!
The different types of awards
There are a variety of awards out there, and it’s important to know what type of award you’re looking for if you are a British business, or in the UK. Awards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each offers its own set of benefits. Some awards can help promote your company or product to a wider audience, while others provide credibility and show that your business is doing well. Winning an award can bring valuable publicity (PR) to your business, helping to increase sales and visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some tips for choosing the right award for your business?
When choosing the right award for your business, make sure to keep the following in mind:
1. The award should be relevant to your industry and what you do.
2. Make sure the award has prestige and will help boost your business’ reputation.
3. Check out the eligibility criteria of different awards before submitting so that you’re not surprised or disappointed later on.
4. Enter ALL of the categories you believe are relevant to your business. Don’t settled for just one entry!
Are there any other benefits to winning an award that we haven’t mentioned here?
Morale: Winning awards can boost your team’s confidence and – perhaps most importantly – morale.
Investment Opportunities: Awards can inspire investors to invest in your company, and, as award ceremonies are often attended by influential people, this can help you get more contracts or raise capital. Aside from this, winning an award can also give your business the advantage of preferential treatment when applying for enterprise and business government grants and loans. The British Business Grants from UKStartups.org is a good example.
So, if you’re looking for a way to celebrate your successes, lift up the morale of your team, and expand your reach – awards ceremonies may just be the perfect solution for you!
How can awards help promote your company culturally and socially?
Awards can help promote your SME culturally and socially by becoming a part of the community’s collective memory. This means that more people will know about the awards your company has won and be more likely to associate it with positive experiences. This can lead to increased brand awareness, social media followers, business opportunities, and even better customer service.
What should a UK SME do if they receive an award nomination or are shortlisted?
When it comes to awards, the most important thing is that you share, recognize and celebrate your success. The following are some things to keep in mind if your business is nominated for an award:
– Make sure you have a celebratory plan in place and be prepared to publicize the event. This can include social media posts, email marketing campaigns, and even special signage or décor at your business.
– Remember to respect other shortlisted companies – no matter who they are!
– If possible, ask the organizers of the awards if you can send photos or videos of your team receiving an award.
Conclusion
Winning an award is an incredible feeling that can boost business morale and contribute to a company’s success. By understanding the different types of awards and the benefits they confer, SMEs can maximise the potential impact of awards on their business.
Why choose Business Awards UK?
Business Awards UK offer a range of sectors and categories, and entry is FREE for all categories. Our policy is that you only pay if you win an award.
