Why Awards Can be Rewarding…
Recently Green & Co were delighted and honoured to be awarded Independent Firm Of The Year – Wales at the 2014 British Accountancy Awards, and the achievement has caused a buzz of excitement and pride around the office here at Pembroke House. Apart from the great feeling of having hard work acknowledged, it’s very reassuring to know that, whatever it is you are doing, you are doing it right! However, aside from the glass trophy and the after-dinner drinks, there are many rewards for any business that puts itself up for, and wins, a business award.
As has been the case here at Green & Co, one of the first benefits is the huge boost to staff morale particularly for those who have been directly involved in the application process. A business is only as good as the people who work for it – whether they be the owners or employees – and an award is as much a pat on the back for them as it is for the business itself. Employee job satisfaction plays a large part in the smooth running of any business and everyone likes to work for a successful enterprise. Awards can even help rank your business high in the recruitment market.
Of course having a plethora of awards adorning your letterheads can also be of great marketing value, particularly if the awarding body is well-known and respected. It can give you the edge with potential customers, particularly if you are competing with other firms or businesses for a particular contract or deal. Existing customers will also be reassured that they have made the right choice in dealing with you, rather than anyone else.
Entering for an award may seem daunting – there are often several stages to overcome before you can even be considered as a contender – but many business owners admit that the process gives them a chance to step back and take a broad view of what they have achieved and what they hope to achieve in the future. Many award schemes involve staff and customer consultation and the feedback from such can be both eye-opening and useful in reviewing your plans for moving forward in your particular industry. Even if you don’t make it to the finals in one year, you can use the experience to identify and improve upon any weaknesses or shortcomings, so that perhaps in future years, you may be a winner.
It’s well worth doing a little research and finding out what award schemes are relevant to your business . Whether it be trade, conservation, innovation or employer awards, there is a category to highlight your strengths – sometimes several, so there are plenty of opportunities to show your business off.
It might even be fun – and you could find yourself reaping the many rewards of being considered “The Best”!
Please note: This article is a commentary on general principles and should not be interpreted as advice for your specific situation.
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