WDS can assist your business in vying for and winning top honors.
Nationally acclaimed author, Harvey Mackay, defines winning as “to succeed by effort.” In his best selling book, “Pushing the Envelope,” Mackay says winning has more meaning than just finishing in first place. He equates winning to: participation, taking part, making an attempt, testing your limits, breaking through to a new level of performance, and being the best you can be! Just by participating in awards programs, your company can be considered a winner!
Here is a listing of the outstanding benefits
of participating in awards programs.
MEDIA EXPOSURE
The organization that offers the awards program most generally partners with a newspaper or magazine, which then profiles the candidates, finalists, and the honorees of their award. In Kansas City alone, the KC Star, the Business Journal, Kansas City Small Business Monthly, Ingram’s Magazine and other periodicals publish special supplements or editions for awards programs. Several media organizations produce their own awards programs. This type of positive media coverage is excellent in drawing attention to your business, your products and services offered, your accomplishments in business, and your business leadership. It assists in building credibility and notoriety for your company.
CREATING POSITIVE ATTENTION ABOUT YOUR COMPANY
Participating in awards programs creates interest and excitement about your company. It bolsters employee pride by reminding your staff that he or she is employed at a successful and viable business. Educate and involve them in the different award program events and activities. In the application, ask your banker, attorney, CPA, and larger or long-term clients write letters of recommendation for you for the award. And, should your receive the honor, invite them and your top employees to join you at the ceremonies. You do want your banker to know that you are doing well!
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
To generate new business, I suggest obtaining a mailing list of all the “candidates” in your awards program. Send each a “best wishes” letter with your company’s brochure and an introductory offer for your products or services. After reviewing the candidate profiles, I suggest selecting the ones that could be prospective clients and assigning them to your salespeople. I would also suggest having an “open house” reception and inviting the candidates, winners, judges and sponsors to visit your offices.
Not only have you aligned your business with other top ones in the area, you have the opportunity to develop relationships with their top decision makers and owners. Many opportunities arise from business relationships. In some of the awards programs, the annual honorees meet several times a year to network and discuss business issues. You can share business information with each other, too. The awards program provides a platform for connecting successful business managers and entrepreneurs.
AWARDS PROGRAMS
Nearly every industry and organization honors their most outstanding members. The advertising and marketing communities reward creativity and results locally and nationally, so check to see how you can enter your marketing materials, promotions, and website design. National business magazines like INC and Entrepreneur, list, reward, and profile fast growth, inner city success, and unique entrepreneurs. Your local and state chambers of commerce, Lion’s Club, etc, may seek out members of accomplishment. There are even honors for those in business who are concerned about protecting the environment. WDS maintains an extensive file of all types of awards programs and assist our clients in selecting the most advantageous programs that are a good fit for our clients.
WDS EXCELS IN THE AWARDS ARENA
WDS excels in assisting clients in the application and participation of awards programs. This type of brand building is an ideal tool for continuing to build credibility, receive recognition for achievement, and other positive areas of public relations. Since 1997, our clients have received regional honors including three Ernst &Young regional “Entrepreneur of the Year” awards, five Working Women Magazine “Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards,” a Sprint “Champions of Small Business” national award, two SBA regional “Small Business” awards, a “Blue Chip Enterprise” national honor, two “Fast 50” rapid growth technology business honors, and the 2003 Wells Fargo “National Trailblazer Award.”
A sampling of local honors for our clients include the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce “Top Ten Small Business of the Year” award, three “Up and Comer” awards from Junior Achievement and four Kansas State “Women Owned Business of the Year” recognitions. Other client honors include the “Kansas City Business Ethics Awards” in 2002 and 2003, and the Kansas City Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work in Kansas City” in 2002 and 2003. Ten WDS clients have been selected for the Kansas City Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” honor in just four years. Nine clients have been honored in the Kansas City Small Business Monthly’s “25 under 25” small business award in three years.
JUST THE FACTS!
Each awards program has different criteria that are used for consideration in selecting the winners such as: growth, innovation, meeting challenges, community service, and workplace incentives. Some applications require 15 pages of documentation, others ask for only 2 pages. One awards program honors 40 businesses, one honors 25 entrepreneurs, and some select only one top business.
I recommend developing a profile of the awards program you are considering that includes the estimated hours to create the application, the costs involved in participating, and the costs involved should you be selected. I would include the benefits of participating including the media exposure and opportunity for business growth. These elements will help you determine if the program is a match with your budget, marketing goals, and public relations program. Speak to past recipients, too. They will help give you a clear picture of the entire application process and the many benefits and expenses. Now you are ready to develop a winning attitude and agenda for your business, then throw your hat into the ring!
To learn more about the benefits of award programs for your business, contact WDS at (913) 362-4541 or send an e-mail to me at bwilson@wdspr.com.