As a public relations consultant I was very excited to win
an Event Communication award by the Public Relations
Industry of Australia. To be recognized by my peers in such
a competitive industry was like a stamp of approval for the
hard work and dedication I had shown to the industry. As a
result I was able to put, award winning PR consultant, on
my marketing materials, place the award in my office and
generally impress future potential clients.
Since then I have been involved in other business awards as
I believe they are an important part of the public
relations process. When I was young and commencing a
modeling career I instinctively knew that to be successful
I'd have to be well-known so I entered into model quests
and beauty pageants as I knew that was one way to be
noticed. I did win a number of competitions and as a result
had a successful modeling career for a number of years.
Now I'm a member of the National Speakers Association of
Australia and am working hard to achieve my next level of
accreditation. I hope that one year at our convention and
awards night I will receive a CSP award because I'll know
then that I have reached the pinnacle of the profession.
The Public Relations Society of America, National Speakers
Association and other associations throughout the world
hold industry awards to highlight and promote their
individual associations and to raise the bar and quality of
work that is undertaken.
Telstra, Fuji Xerox and a multitude of big corporate
organisations and smaller companies hold awards or sponsor
awards. Most industry associations hold awards to recognise
those within the association. There are awards of all
types, think media, literature, hairdressing, sport, film,
music, fashion, architecture…and the list goes on.
I put awards under the category of special events. Special
events are a tactic or tool of public relations. Yes it
could also be labeled promotion or marcomms but whatever
you call it entering an award or hosting an awards ceremony
can create greater awareness of your business.
Why would these organisations spend time and resources on
an award rather than their core business?
* It helps profile their company or industry to a wider
audience
* It helps give back to the community or target market
* It helps create excitement and positive energy
* It encourages and recognises people for their hard work
and effort
* It brings people together to form alliances and networks
* It allows supporters and advocates to become involved
* It helps to increase the bottom line - not just
financially but socially
Perhaps these are some reasons why you should spend time
(and often dollars) submitting an award application even
though you think you may not win. Another reason is it
gives you the chance to look at your work through fresh
eyes. Having to answer questions and be succinct about why
you should be a winner could just help you believe that you
already are.
Whether you're in small business or work within an
industry, consider that to succeed in your career it does
help to be recognised and to be seen as a winner.
----------------------------------------------------
Sue Currie, the director of Shine Communications
Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace - your
inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business
educator and speaker on personal branding through image and
media. Sign up for free monthly tips on personal and
professional PR at
http://www.shinecomms.com.au/contactmanager/default.cfm
and learn more about how you can achieve recognition,
enhance your image and shine.
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