Why Your Business Should Enter Global Awards (And How to Win Them)

Are you looking for a proven way to quickly build your reputation in the market? Business Awards are a fast track to winning credibility. They shine a spotlight on your business and signal to your industry that you are the real deal.

While local awards are fantastic, global awards carry additional prestige and demonstrate that your business is truly “world-class”. The best part? They are not inherently harder to win, and you do not even need to be operating in or exporting to global markets to enter them.

Key Takeaways: 

• Instant Credibility: An award is a third-party endorsement that benchmarks your business above the competition.
• Global Prestige: Winning a global award signals to customers that your business is the best of the best.
• Versatile ROI: Awards help achieve diverse goals, from attracting investment to retaining great talent.
• Evidence is Key: A winning submission tells a larger story backed by hard evidence like NPS results and P&Ls.

What Strategic Goals Could Awards Help You Achieve?

Entering awards is about much more than just a trophy. When leveraged correctly, they act as a strategic catalyst for your broader business objectives.

Here are the key goals an award strategy can help you achieve:

5 Steps to Enter Global Awards Successfully

To ensure you don’t waste time and maximise your chances of winning, follow this proven five-step process:

1. Choose the right awards

Don’t take a scattergun approach. You must thoroughly research which awards you are eligible for. Take the time to review the criteria closely and research previous winners to ensure it is a strategic fit.

2. Manage your time

Awards are notoriously time-consuming, so carve out time and start early. Awards have fixed deadlines which rarely move.

Pro-tip: Create a timeline of award open and close dates so you don’t miss crucial deadlines.

3. Prepare your pitch

Judges review dozens, if not hundreds, of awards submissions, meaning you need to stand out. A compelling award submission will tell the larger story, while backing it up with hard evidence.

• Audit your business to identify your milestones, achievements, and what makes you different.
• Collect supporting evidence like P&Ls, NPS results, employee satisfaction metrics, case studies, testimonials, graphs, diagrams, images, and videos.

4. Write your submission

Address the questions and criteria exactly, and keep to the word count while remaining concise. Don’t be boring, demonstrate your passion and personality where appropriate.

• Use the first person (“we”), unless the award specifically requests the third person.
• Don’t use jargon, and do not assume the judges have industry or local knowledge.
• Edit thoroughly and have someone else look at it before you submit.

5. Submit your entry

Most awards use online portals which will require you to copy and paste your answers online. Whatever you do, don’t submit half an hour before the deadline!

How to Leverage Your Awards Success

Winning is only half the battle; how you share your success determines the ROI of your efforts. Ensure you:

• Attend awards ceremonies to network.
• Include “award-winning” in your key messages.
• Promote your success on social media.
• Include finalist and winner badges in email signatures, on your website, in proposals, and across marketing materials and pitches.

Top Global Awards to Consider

If you are ready to take your business to the world stage, here are several prestigious global awards to put on your radar:

• Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards
• The Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence
• Noble Awards
• The International Business Awards
• The Stevie Awards for Great Employers
• Titan Awards
• Business Intelligence Group
• Titan Women in Business Awards

Ready to Streamline Your Award Strategy?

You have worked hard to build an award-worthy business. Do not let disorganised awards programs or missed deadlines keep you from the recognition you deserve.

Reach out to Green Door Co today to learn more about how AwardGenie can keep your applications on track, on time, and highly competitive.