Keeping your eyes on the prize
AS a big James Bond fan, I was thrilled to see the excellent No Time to Die on its day of release and I pondered again afterwards whether the Oscars would finally give the Bond franchise and it’s iconic actor some of the recognition they truly deserve.
I’m sure many fellow Bond fans would say: “What does it matter about awards if you just enjoy the film?”
But I actually believe awards do matter and they certainly matter to those who receive them. Whether it’s the Oscars or an employee of the week certificate, their value to the recipient is real and the impact they have can be tangible.
That is why I’m pleased to see business awards run by the media group behind the Western Daily Press now in full swing locally because our businesses do so much for their local communities, and to win an award to recognise that contribution can be a timely boost to morale as well as a great future way of marketing a company.
The FSB has also just launched its own South West regional ‘Celebrating Small Business Awards’ which can be entered by any of the readers across the Western Daily area. We’ve only done these awards for a couple of years now but we believe they are already an established part of the
Sam Holliday, the FSB development manager for Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, argues that entering awards is a no-brainer for businesses
local business awards calendar and as they give people from Gloucestershire and Bristol, for example, a chance to take on people from the tip of Cornwall and the Dorset coast, it really does offer an opportunity for our local businesses to pitch their wares against some of the best companies throughout this whole region.
In my previous life as a newspaper editor in Bath, I was also always a very enthusiastic advocate of taking part in awards and I encouraged all my colleagues to do so. And that is exactly how I feel for our local small businesses as well because having been fortunate enough to see some of the award entries we were involved in win acclaim I can testify to how motivating and encouraging it is for everyone involved in an organisation to be acknowledged by your peers in recognition of your search for excellence.
In my opinion entering awards is a no-brainer – with no downside. If you win it is great, if you don’t there is nothing lost other than the time putting together an application which is usually a rewarding experience in itself as you get the chance to re-evaluate what you’re offering.
So I would urge any local SME (and you don’t have to be an FSB member) to take part in our FSB awards this year. There are 12 categories to choose from, it is free and (hopefully!) pretty easy to enter and you have the chance to win not only a South West prize but also a national one potentially. You can find out more at https://www.fsba wards. co.uk/ so dive in – it could be one of the easiest, cheapest and best business decisions you make.