There isn''t a day that goes by that I don''t receive some sort of announcement about an awards competition. We get so many Evander Kane Jersey , in fact, that I have created a special place on my website where you can learn about what opportunities are awaiting.
> With all the awards programs out there, how many of you incorporate that into your marketing plan? Yes, I know it''s a lot of work but the benefits you reap outweigh the effort invested. What can an award do for you besides making you feel good? For a start it can lend instant credibility to your or your company. Just think about the words "award winner." Doesn''t that sound important? Wouldn''t you like to see that phrase beside your name? Awards make a good visual to. If you are given permission San Jose Sharks Jersey , use the award''s logo or banner in your promotional material or on your website.
So, how do you utilize the award and promote yourself in your marketing plan?
First you have to make sure you let others know about the recognition. Announce your award to the media, clients, prospects and employees. Write a press release both before and after the competition. Even if you don''t win you can showcase the competition in your material. Just making a commitment to submit is worthy of special notice. Receiving an award is a good way to get points from the boss. In fact even being a runner up or a nominee is fodder for self-promotion. For example Zack Smith Jersey , I received a full page promotion in a local magazine mailed to executives in Atlanta when I was a nominee for an award last year.
Second, don''t set the award on the shelf. Use it to continually reinforce your success. Incorporate the award into your promotional material. You can add your award just like a certification to your business card and stationery too.
Third, use the competition''s format a means for evaluation. Entering a competition can give you valuable independent feedback on your performance. Having an external judge review your efforts and provide feedback is worth the entry fee alone. Winning an award is an opportunity to prove to your customers and suppliers just how successfulcreative you are. Remember this is an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of you and your company. It functions as well as testimonial
Finally, celebrate! Awards generate confidence and pride in employees throughout the company. Have a party to celebrate the accomplishment. You can use an award as a reason to hold a company event celebrating the accomplishment. Don''t forget to invite customers and potential customers.
Awards can open doors - to new suppliers Bobby Ryan Jersey , customers, investors and partners. Enter a competition and see how quickly you end with another great promotional opportunity.
JoAnn Hines'' specialty is PACKAGING PEOPLE. Whether you want to be paid more, you just lost your job, or you want to progress in the one you have Mike Condon Jersey , Ms. Hines advice and expertise can help you transform your personal brand. She can show you how to package yourself and make your brand a hot commodity. It''s easy once you know the ropes and begin to utilize her insider''s secrets. She shows you step by step how to increase your visibility, credibility and marketability with easy to use tutorials and templates.
After 20 years of self employment and the last 4 as a small business consultant and coach helping people to start or grow their businesses, I can say with no shame I used to feel that business plans were only for wimps. That was until I did one.
It''s easy to knock something you''ve never tried. After many years of not only starting businesses but actually succeeding, without a plan Ottawa Senators Jersey , in them it would be easy to think that business plans aren''t necessary. Part of that lies in the fact most entrepreneurs are actually working a job not growing a business. That is certainly where my maturity as an entrepreneur was until I hit my mid 30''s. Sure I had earned an income and eeked out a life in a business of my own but I really didn''t see the "business of the business". What I saw was that I got what I wanted which was to not have to work for someone else. Woo hoo -- I was my own boss. Truth be told it was my lack of planning out the business that hindered my growth and financial prosperity. Thankfully I figured it out and now, my newest business is going places I never dreamt possible when I lacked a plan. Doing a plan, the very act of doing it, is almost enough to take you to the next level as an entrepreneur on its own.
You see Ryan Johansen Jersey , put simply, when you plan a business you begin to understand it as a business. When you don''t plan a business but still go into business for yourself, you more than likely created a job. For example with lawn maintenance we think of the cutting of the lawn, not the structure of the organization P.K Subban Jersey , the future growth and direction of the business, the various marketing strategies etc.. There is a critical difference between having a business and the "business of business" and that requires another article of its own. So, if you ever want to get out of the grind and truly grow a business you need to plan to grow it. Plan every little bit of it and then re-visit this business plan often and make changes as things evolve. We''ve all heard it before - "when you fail to plan you plan to fail". Only when we sit down to do a business plan do we see it is so much more than that. Not planning a business causes us to fulfill the role we "thought of" when we thought of that business and not see the things planning would have taught us.