The Federation of Small Businesses looks at how entering business awards can boost your firm.
1. Increase your brand awareness and media exposure
Put your business in the spotlight and expand your reach beyond your customer base. If you’re shortlisted as a finalist, your business stands to get national recognition and positive PR, plus the added buzz that the phrase “award-winning” can add to your marketing efforts. From posting about your win on your website to sharing photos of the event on your social media, there are lots of ways you can make the most from business awards.
2. Grow your network
Business awards are a fantastic way to connect with other small business owners near you from a wide range of industries, from marketing to manufacturing. Whether you’re shortlisted at an area final or make it all the way to the UK final, you’ll get to meet new people and build business relationships.
3. Recognise your achievements and success
Take the time to reflect on your success, see how far you’ve come and position yourself against the competition. From industry innovators to passionate start-ups, award winners are outstanding examples of ambitious and diverse businesses, bringing together the best of UK entrepreneurship.
4. Boost team morale
If you’re a micro-business working as a close-knit team, or an expanding business taking on new talent, entering business awards can be a huge boost for morale. During a challenging time for businesses, awards are a chance to recognise the hard work your team have contributed and to represent your brand.
FSB is running its own free-to-enter awards later this year and business owners are invited to enter across 12 categories in the FSB Awards. For 2023, three new categories have been announced: Diversity & Inclusion Award, Larger Small Business of the Year, and Service Excellence Award.
In 2022, the UK final was hosted by TV personalities Clare Balding and JJ Chalmers and addressed by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Aberdeen-based Amity Fish Company Limited took home the trophy for FSB Small Business of the Year after successfully pivoting their business during the pandemic.
“I am stunned that our small business has been crowned FSB’s UK Small Business of the Year. I’ve worked in the fishing industry for more than four decades, and the last few years have been amongst the most challenging on record. My thanks go to FSB for hosting these brilliant awards, and to all those people that have given our fantastic products a chance,” said Jimmy Buchan, managing director of Amity Fish Company.
“It takes grit and talent to thrive in the face of constant challenges but, despite all the headwinds, this is a brilliant example of ingenuity, innovation, creativity – a perfect illustration of how vital small businesses are to the economy and our communities,” said Martin McTague, FSB National Chair.
The full list of FSB Awards 2023 categories is as follows:
Entrants will be judged by a panel of leading business experts with a wealth of experience in their industry. Geographical finals will take place across the UK next year, with winners going through to the UK Final on Thursday 18 May 2023 at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham.
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