Are You Award Worthy?
Hamilton Central Business Association | Incorporated Society
Hamilton Central Business Association is an Incorporated Society setup to represent the central city business voice on issues and projects of strategic importance to the CBD, to contribute and collaborate on projects that support the CBD business economy and to promote the CBD as a bustling active, innovative, vibrant place that offers exceptional businesses and experiences.
Contact Vanessa Williams - 022 414 0780
WEBSITE www.hamiltoncentral.co.nz
EMAIL admin@hamiltoncentral.co.nz
FACEBOOK @hamiltoncentral
INSTAGRAM @hamiltoncentral
LINKEDIN @hamilton-central-business-association
WEBSITE www.lovethecentre.co.nz
TIKTOK @lovethecentre
Located at Panama Square, 10 Garden Place (Ground Floor)
Vanessa Williams from Hamilton Central highlights the qualities that make businesses award-worthy and emphasises the benefits of applying, irrespective of winning. Drawing from years of experience closely working to advocate, support, and promote the CBD on behalf local businesses, Vanessa offers her valuable expertise and knowledge.
I have recently had the pleasure to be a judge for the TVNZ Marketing Awards which has come at a very opportune time as we are currently refining our annual CBD Awards programme. Reading through the awards entries I have been wowed by what can be achieved by both small and large business with often small and occasionally large budgets. It got me thinking about why a business would (and should) enter award programmes. I am sure no-one goes into business with a view about what awards they could win, but even the process of entering an award, irrespective of the outcome, can provide a range of benefits to the entrant.
First off, looking at your business to see if it is award worthy, is a great way to see what you are doing well. It offers an opportunity to look over your achievements, compare them against your competitors and see what you are doing better than everyone else. It is a great time to cast a critical eye over your business and see what you are doing to stand out from your competitors, or if you are not, to see what you could be doing to improve your business. Entering awards can provide excellent business clarity.
Next up is around employee recognition and achievement. We all like to be recognised for success and entering awards is a public acknowledgement of this. It shows a business values their staff and what has been collectively achieved and even if an award is not won, it shows that you still think they are award worthy. This is a great motivator for staff and an awards night provides a great opportunity for team building!
Free marketing is another great drawcard of awards programmes. If you place or win an award, you have just been gifted a great new aspect of your business to promote. Achieving an award should be shouted from the rooftop. It is a time to celebrate your business, you employees, your customers and yourself! Promote your achievements, proudly display your awards and remember to tell everyone! This award provides an additional level of credibility for your business that can set you apart from your competitors. In addition, most award programmes will also promote winners out to the public. There is a whole lot of marketing potential here to capitalise on and you need to jump on this opportunity. Update your customers, update your company material, make sure you are recognising your award achievement.
Lastly, award programmes provide a community of people and businesses who want to reward and celebrate success. Not everyone can be a winner on the night but if you do not take home an award, don’t let this deter you from taking part. At the very lest look at it as an opportunity to celebrate and support your fellow businesses and enjoy the camaraderie of being a part of celebrating success.
As I mentioned earlier, I am sure people do not go into business to win awards but I am sure that the achievements of many businesses make them worthy of awards. Give it a try and see how you go!