Submissions...

HOW TO WRITE AN AWARDS SUBMISSION

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Lodging a submission for these awards offers you the opportunity to highlight your achievements and successes during the assessment period and reflect on your initiatives, processes, and outcomes.

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It is also an opportunity to apply critical thinking, review your systems and processes, articulate how your work distinguishes you from your peers and competitors in your industry, and perhaps consider how you could improve your approach to your work.

Submissions take time and effort so allot sufficient time to reflect on your achievements, collect supporting documents (including references and testimonials), write an effective submission, and edit and proofread it before submitting.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:

HOW TO NOMINATE YOUR BUSINESS  

1. Complete the online application form                                   

2. Provide relevant information in response to criteria of your chosen category/ies.

3. Attach a document that addresses each criteria for your relevant categories.       

4. Upload your business logo and three photographs for marketing and promotional purposes.                                                           

5. Submit your nomination by midnight Friday 7th June 2024.

6. You may nominate your business in up to three (3) categories except Business of the Year and People's Choice. Category winners will automatically become finalists for the Business of the Year award and will be decided by the judging panel. All business nominations will be automatically entered into People's Choice.

7. You may nominate any business person who is a member of the SCC for Business Person of the Year. Send your nominations to the Swan Chamber of Commerce where the panel of judges will review nominees and present this award on the night.
    

THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR A SOUND BUSINESS THAT:

• Has a guideline for their business development

• Has measurable goals and outcomes

• Demonstrates flair, innovation and passion

• Promotes high quality standards in their products or services 

• Makes an ongoing contribution to the community

• Has awareness of their marketplace

• Has industry knowledge

TIPS FOR COMPILLING AN EFFECTIVE SUBMISSION:

Writing an award-winning submission is about narrating your story in a compelling and authentic way that captures the judges’ attention. It is critical that you tell your personal story in the first person and include evidence such as case studies and statistics to back your story.

TIPS FOR WRITING AN IMPRESSIVE SUBMISSION:

• Stick to the awards criteria
  The cardinal rule for compiling submissions is ensuring that your answers strictly align with the awards criteria. While this might sound obvious, judges have reported that many past applicants have provided responses that were irrelevant to them. The criteria have been created for a reason and they are the guidelines the judges will be using to assess your applications. Answer the questions with as much accuracy and clarity as possible to ensure you don’t hurt your chances of winning awards.

• Answer the questions
  Following on from the previous rule, it is essential that you follow the ground rules set by the awards program and answer the questions.
  This enables judges to compare and contrast you with other award entrants in your category.Judges want your responses to knock their socks off! Use the narrative style (with a beginning, middle, and an end) to tell your story.Make sure you structure your answers succinctly and coherently (avoid going off on a tangent). Present your answers in an easily digestible format to leave an impact. Provide evidence such as data, statistics, quantifiable input (such as revenue increase, profit growth, or efficiencies gained through improved systems and processes), and testimonials and recommendations from your peers and clients.

• Use first person
  No one can tell your personal story better than you. Take the time to write your own submission in the first person using your own words to ensure it is authentic and genuine.While some award entrants delegate writing award submissions to marketing and PR professionals (who are masters of the written word), judges can distinguish between first person narrative and “marketing spiel” written in the third person.

• Use facts to back your claims
  Make data and figures your friends. They make your success measurable and back your claims about your achievements. Showcase any increases you have seen in financial metrics, clientele, staff size, or efficiencies as a result of your initiatives. This information makes it easier for the judges to gauge the scale of your achievements. Independent attachments can go a long way in swaying the judges on the merits of your entry.

• Use the word limit
  Sticking to the word limit for each question can lead to powerful and compelling answers. Judges will struggle to mark you well if your answer says very little, is repetitive, or uses strategies like “see above”. Conversely, responding with “see attached” and annexing a lengthy document will disengage the judges. You are allowed to use a limited number of words. Use the word count wisely!

• Proofread your submission
  Don’t let spelling, grammatical errors or other minor mistakes blemish your otherwise stellar submission. Starting your submission early will leave you with plenty of time to walk away from it for a few days and come back with a fresh perspective. You can then proofread and polish it. Moreover, just because we encourage you to compile your own submission does not mean you cannot ask somebody else to read it. Ask your colleagues, friends, or even a writer to review and proofread it.Once you are sure that your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and tone are perfect, you can then press send.