Five reasons to enter industry awards

Awards are designed to reward the best in class in the industry. Winning an accolade is an acknowledgement of quality and a powerful tool to build a business’ credibility and cement its reputation within the market. Awards are a demonstration of excellence and can set a company aside from the competition and position it positively with industry peers.

Example: LMC developed a brand and marketing strategy for Seismic, a platform based approach to construction which combines a standardised frame and components. A UKRI-funded project, LMC needed to communicate the key benefits to industry so that others could learn from the project. One of our tactics included entering the project for awards. So far, it has been shortlisted for eight awards (winning four).

Entering industry awards and attending award ceremonies provides access to a range of offline and online promotion platforms, even for businesses that end up not securing a prize. Usually operated by media or large membership organisations, they have a broad reach across the industry, both online and offline, meaning that all participating companies will benefit from promotion, as well as providing content for their own digital platforms.

Example: Formed following the merger of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), TDUK needed to promote its new brand and offering to the sector. Using UKCW as an opportunity, we designed a stand and onsite activities to attract footfall, and secured the accolade for most sustainable stand at the show.

Awards aren’t just a stamp of quality for clients and industry peers, but also for current and perspective employees. As people increasingly look for brand authenticity and excellence when choosing a role, award accreditations can be a great help when positioning an organisation with candidates.

Example: LMC was named PRCA Workplace Champion for the third time in 2022, an accolade created to celebrate and recognise those PR agencies that make staff health and wellbeing, ethics and best practice an integral part of their business. Demonstrating that we’re a great place to work, it has been a key part of our efforts to grow the team this year.

Professional bodies set the standard for excellence within the industry and as such play an important role in endorsing a business’ level of service. Showcasing an award recognition will ultimately provide a strong element of reassurance and mark of quality to existing and perspective clients, facilitating their decision-making when it comes to selecting the best supplier for them.

Example: This was particularly true of ALICE Technologies, an AI-powered construction optioneering tool. New to the UK, we used their work with Align JV on HS2 as an example of innovation within the industry, helping them to build their profile with key decision makers and prospective clients. This culminated in being named Innovation Champion by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority at the British Construction Industry Awards 2022.

The process of collating the content for an award entry requires businesses to delve deep into their organisation, gathering information and data around their best case studies and track record. This often provides a useful opportunity to unearth innovation and best practice within the business and share it among team members. Achieving endorsement through a third-party is a big motivator for staff and builds confidence with clients.

Example: LMC uses the PRCA’s Consultancy Management Standard as a way of benchmarking the organisation and ensuring that we are performing in line with best practice within the PR industry.