We’ve written hundreds of business award submission over the years, telling the stories of some incredible businesses in the process. A lot of businesspeople want to win an award, but not every business is successful in their quest. So, what makes an award-winning business? What makes one business stand out from the crowd?
This blog post is written based on our experiences with award winning business clients. Read on to find out what makes these amazing businesses worthy of their accolades.
An award-winning business:
1. Knows Their WHY
Businesses who win awards are clear on why they are in business. Their purpose, their core beliefs, and the forces that drive their passion are well articulated and transparent. This sense of purpose is what propels the business forward, sparking innovation, fostering engagement, and ultimately leading to success.
An award-winning business has a clear vision and mission that is central to their decision-making process. It’s not just about financial gain but encompassing a larger vision, which could be solving a complex issue, providing exceptional value, or simply making a difference in the world. This clear vision and mission are central to the decision-making process, influencing strategies and dictating the course of action taken. Being clear on their ‘WHY’ enables these businesses to stand out, resonate with their target audience, and clinch prestigious business awards.
2. Is Customer-Focused
Being customer-focused means understanding and prioritising customers’ needs, desires and experiences at every touch point. An award-winning business invests time and resources in getting to know their customers’ habits, preferences, and expectations. Whether through surveys, feedback, or direct communication, these businesses learn from their customers and adapt their products, services, and strategies to align with the customers’ evolving demands. This steadfast commitment to the customer not only results in high levels of customer satisfaction but also fosters loyalty and trust, further propelling the business toward success and recognition. By putting the customer at the heart of everything they do, these businesses distinguish themselves as industry leaders.
3. Rises to a Challenge
All businesses face challenges, it’s part of the business landscape. Award-winning businesses not only rise to the challenge, they can also clearly demonstrate how they adapt or pivot, often thriving as a result of overcoming the challenge. They often view obstacles as opportunities to learn, grow, and innovate while demonstrating resilience, turning trials into triumphs. They utilise their resources strategically, seeking out new solutions, experimenting with practices, and embracing change. This relentless pursuit of success, even in the face of difficulty, is a key characteristic of award-winning businesses. The ability to overcome challenges not only strengthens their operations but also bolsters their reputation.
4. Has a Great Story
An award-winning business invariably has a compelling and inspiring narrative to share. Strong stories may be rooted in the company’s humble beginnings, their unique approach to solving a problem, or portray an account of overcoming tremendous odds. The power of these stories lies in their ability to create an emotional connection with customers, investors, and their community. The story may offer a glimpse into the company’s values, its journey, and its unwavering commitment to its mission.
By narrating their journey, these businesses become more relatable, fostering a sense of trust and loyalty among their audiences. As a result, they often achieve a standout position in the market, leading to wide recognition and numerous accolades. The art of storytelling, therefore, is a crucial aspect of what makes a business award-winning.
5. Is Relatable
An award-winning business is not just about being top tier in their industry, it’s also about being relatable. These businesses understand the power of human connection and build their brand in a way that resonates with their audience on a personal level. They communicate in a language that their customers understand, and they provide products or services that solve real-world problems. By making an effort to understand their customers’ lives, they create a bond that goes beyond the transactional relationship. This relatability is mirrored in their marketing strategies, customer service, and even their internal culture. It makes customers feel seen, heard, and valued, fostering trust and loyalty. This genuineness and authenticity is often what sets award-winning businesses apart from the competition.
6. Demonstrates HOW They Help Their Customers
An award-winning business is solution oriented, aiming to resolve the specific needs and problems of their customers. They genuinely care about their customers and can clearly demonstrate how they solve a particular problem their customers have, improving lives in the process. Customer feedback is often sought, greatly valued and used to make ongoing improvements to products, services and processes, as well as the overall customer experience.
Depending on the questions asked, a winning award submission will often incorporate a compelling case study about how the business has helped a particular client, and sometimes also include a testimonial from that client. Being able to demonstrate the customer’s problem, the solution offered, and the outcomes is key.
7. Gives Back
Award-winning businesses often extend their impact beyond commercial success by actively giving back to their community and mentoring others. They understand their unique position of influence and leverage it to uplift others, endorse charitable causes, or support local initiatives. This could take the form of establishing mentorship programmes to guide budding entrepreneurs, offering resources to local schools, or championing environmental sustainability. They often support charities by donating a portion of their profits or organising fundraising events to support worthy causes. This commitment towards social responsibility is not only a testament to their ethical principles but also enhances their brand reputation, making them more endearing to customers who value businesses that make a difference. In essence, the act of giving back and mentoring others is a characteristic trait of award-winning businesses, further solidifying their standing as leaders in their industry.
Do you have an Award-winning Business? We Can Help You…
Did you know? The Professional Writer team has a wealth of experience in writing winning business award submissions. We currently have a 96.25% success rate for our clients being shortlisted as finalists or winning their award.
When it comes to Australian business awards, we’re skilled in writing strong submissions that highlight your story and success.
We help you establish meaningful connections with your ideal clients through out expert copywriting solutions. We specialise in creating engaging website copy, persuasive business award submissions, informative capability statements, and much more. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit our Contact page. In the meantime, feel free to share this article with anyone who could benefit from these valuable tips. Additionally, you can connect with Lyndall on LinkedIn to establish a connection.
