6tine’s Post

I don’t usually question things too much, but there’s something I’ve been thinking about that I’d love to get some perspective on. And whilst I’m at it let me throw my disclaimer: I’m not discrediting any award(s)……So, we’ve all seen this recent rise in awards and recognitions, right? While it’s always nice to be acknowledged for hard work, I can’t shake the feeling that these awards are starting to feel a bit... off. Let me explain. It seems like a lot of these awards nowadays are becoming more about which company can sponsor the event, rather than who genuinely deserves to win. It’s like the more you sponsor, the bigger the chance you’ll walk away with the “Best of the Best” trophy. It’s almost as if some of these awards have turned into profit-making machines in disguise, rather than true merit-based recognition. Take, for example, that one time you see a company win "Best Customer Service" after being a top sponsor, even though everyone knows their customer service is questionable at best. Or when you notice that only those who paid for a table at the awards dinner are up for the top prizes. I mean, how does that work? And, honestly, why should we have to pay to be recognized for doing a great job? If it’s really based on merit, shouldn’t we be the ones getting the reward, not handing over cash for a plaque? Let’s not forget the kicker: you get nominated, don’t sponsor the event, and somehow—surprise, surprise—you fall just short of winning. 😂 But maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m missing something here. However, I do think it’s worth asking: when we celebrate excellence, shouldn’t it be for actual excellence, not for how much we’ve sponsored? What do you think?

How To Write a Press Release Celebrating Your Company’s Award

What do your awards say about you? We've been involved in a lot of awards programmes in our 25 years, from colossal production numbers to homely little affairs. We are often asked, "Do we need to do these awards?" There's no right answer to this, but awards are not only a great way to reward achievers in your organisation but also to create company culture. So, if you are thinking about overhauling your awards or considering their place in your organisation or event, think about what they say (or could say) about your culture first. If you want to create a highly motivated sales culture, then sales awards and incentives are perfect for you; if you want to incentivise people to refresh their businesses or train their people, then awards for these are essential. If you want a relaxed culture that doesn't take itself too seriously, maybe a "Good Bastards" award like one or two we've encountered. In the same way, if the idea of "Good Bastards" seems too much to your crew, then it probably is. However, carefully considering the type of awards you will receive can help showcase your culture. Then think about what your awards look like - do people get an award to display? Is it unique and special to you, or something more "off-the-shelf." And finally, think about how the awards are delivered and what that says about your organisation. Not everything has to be awarded at a black-tie dinner - your team might find that a bit intimidating. And you don't need to blow your budget on a razzamatazz production number when some heartfelt words from colleagues might be more special.

Awards are powerful symbols of recognition and motivation. Everyone loves to receive an award; it boosts morale, celebrates achievements, and fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment. But what if you could take that recognition a step further? Imagine creating a custom award that’s truly one of a kind. By embedding meaningful items inside, you can tell a unique story and create an experience unlike any other. Whether it’s a piece of the journey, a symbol of the accomplishment, or something personal to the recipient, it turns the award into a cherished memory that resonates long after the ceremony. Make your awards unforgettable—recognize, inspire, and leave a lasting impression! 🏆 #Awards #Recognition #CustomAwards #Motivation #TeamMorale

3 things I learnt for my own future award entries after doing some Digiday judging... 1. Be clear on the problem you are solving (not just sharing the context of the brand) 2. Be disciplined and write your idea in a single sentence. 3. Be precise on the impact you made, sharing what results were over and above expectations. Bonus: Stand out in the sea of sameness of awards entries, when you are 7 down and 25 more to go, you need distinctiveness as well as memorability.

It is so easy to say "no" - Why not say yes? We have always strived to say YES whenever possible. Saying Yes is not always easy. For us it sometimes requires working late, rush shipping, and all kinds of stress behind the scenes. Why do we say yes? Imagine if you work hard to meet your goals and your employer is hosting a recognition ceremony to showcase all of the hard work of the top performers. What if they reach out to their awards supplier and were told NO! The deadline cannot be met, the item is out of stock, the production time is too long - and they are crazy for even asking. What if you are the one that shows up and does not receive that award? How does that make you feel? It's not always about the client, it's more about the receiver of that item. How will it make them feel? No matter how big or small, and sometimes the smaller orders, make the most impact, try saying yes! Now, I am not saying we can always say yes, but if it is remotely possible, maybe we should. We are not hero, the client is the hero, we are just the guide.

Do you nominate yourself for awards? It's that time of the year when our internet feeds are filled with social media tiles shared by people who've been nominated for awards. Or have they? I used to think you had to wait for someone else to nominate you. But in most cases, you can nominate yourself. After all, you've got to be in it to win it. So, here's a question. If you nominate yourself, should you let people know? Let me know what you think in the comments below. And if you want to read more about why awards are good for your business, I've updated my awards blog - link is in the comments. (Picture of me holding my Bronze Roar award, which I nominated me and my business for).

Wondering why you're seeing fewer categories this year compared to last year? In order to have a robust competition, every category has to have at least 4-9 entries per category. Rather than eliminate categories, this year, our awards committee aimed to merge categories of similar subject matter with respect to the same production time limits. Have questions? Join us for one of our upcoming Q&A sessions. Details on our website. #HeartlandEmmy

Why you should enter awards! Up until last year, I had never entered awards (it's just not my thing and so many awards seemed to be popularity contests...). But last year, I finally decided to enter an award. And guess what? That was by far THE best thing I had done all year. Wanna know what made me enter? Check out my latest blog post on my website. ps: if you're thinking of entering an award, stop holding yourself back and JUST DO IT! #enterawards #letsgetvisible #personalbrandingphotographer

The Elites Awards did not disappoint 🏆 Here’s one thing they really promote. Always make time to recognise your success. Even if things aren’t going exactly to plan. It’s easy to think that when you’re not where you want to be. That everything is going wrong. To question your process, product and so on. But it’s important to find the parts that are going well. To acknowledge what is working. Stay consistent with that. Whilst working on the other aspects. Plenty of the winners mentioned this last week when taking their award. Acknowledging what is working, even when things are tough, isn’t toxic positivity. It’s not burying your head in the sand and ignoring challenges. It’s giving yourself the credit you deserve. Which helps you deal with the challenges you’re going through. Always make time to acknowledge your wins. No matter how big or small they are.