It’s not just the winners who stand to profit from business awards

If you develop into a winner, you might properly be questioned to be just one of the judges and, when additional, you will likely really feel flattered. But imagine two times in advance of saying “yes”. Judging will take time: time to examine the information pack from every single entrant time to show up at the all day judges’ panel and time to show up at the (no cost) evening meal.

If you take care of to stay clear of being a decide, you could possibly be asked to be the visitor speaker – a further way to get a no cost meal! My initially knowledge of the position was tricky and traumatic. With just 24 hours’ notice, I turned up at Mere Golfing and State Club to participate in my section in a boisterous North West Entrepreneurs’ Awards evening. 

It could have long gone improved. After the 250 visitors sat down, the chair of the affiliation introduced: “I’m sorry to give you some actually disappointing news. Our really popular visitor speaker, Jaqueline Gold, is not able to be with us tonight because of to a sudden illness, so we are joined by John Timpson.”

If you agree to be nominated for an award, do your really most effective to be there on the huge night. It is not good variety to get another person else to choose up the prize on your behalf. Even an acceptance speech on Zoom fails to satisfy the are living audience. There is small place in currently being the winner if you cannot celebrate there and then since, sadly, the euphoria of that night time is promptly forgotten – your spell as a celebrity rarely lasts very long.

Obtaining experienced the highs and lows of the award circuit, I’m delighted they’re again on the agenda. Just after Covid limitations, market awards deliver a great excuse for a little bit of networking and, for the winners, they can be daily life-altering.

But I have been given my very last trophy owning proudly gained a Life span Accomplishment Award, I’m obviously yesterday’s guy.

Sir John Timpson is chairman of the large-street companies provider, Timpson.

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