Over the last few weekends, I have had the pleasure of judging several awards with CITB, Insider Media, and Design and Build UK and it has affirmed to me how marvellous the construction sector is and how wonderful its people are.

Reading through some of the entries, it became apparent that some can articulate their “story” better than others which can put some amazing projects businesses, and individuals, undeservedly on the back end of the scores, so I thought I would offer some advice.

1.    Choose the Right Awards: Conduct thorough research to select awards that align with your business goals. Consider factors such as industry recognition, competition, and relevance to your business/brand.

2.    Give yourself time to respond, and track the deadlines. We can see where momentum or time has been lost.

3.    Engage relevant experts from different areas of your business to support the entry, so that it offers different perspectives of the project or person.

4.    Read the Criteria Carefully: Understand what judges are looking for. Address each point in your submission and follow any specified formats or word limits.

5.    Detail, facts, and stats! This is a chance to show and tell with tangible outcomes of actions. Boast your achievements and quantify results wherever possible to demonstrate impact. Use visuals if possible to bring the “story” alive, use links to news stories or testimonials.

6. Proofread your submission thoroughly and involve internal teams for feedback.

Remember, winning awards isn’t just about recognition—it can boost your reputation and attract new clients!

Thank you Robyn Hewson, Miri Thomas, Danny Clarke Marketing and Michaela Wain for allowing me the privilege of being involved. I can’t wait to see the results.