Pentan Architects’ Post

Throw back to a few weeks ago! It's genuinely been a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as a jury member for the WOW Awards Middle East. It was an intense process, hours of going through submissions and was fully audited...I honestly don't trust many "Awards" these days, and I can attest, this was was the real deal. Celebrating and recognising the passion and creativity of so many talented businesses in the wedding and events industry is important! Huge congratulations in particular to Arun Bablani, Hannah Connolley, Laura Shepherd, Gauri Chadha, and Stefani Heller.🏆 However, I know that often, some who don’t win can feel deflated and disappointed. While awards hold significance and recognise hard work, it’s essential to remember that they don’t define success or reputation. True achievement lies in the dedication to our craft, the relationships we build, and the positive impact we make in our communities. Many businesses thrive successfully, making a huge impact without an award to their name. #justsaying. That said, I also feel we have to be our own biggest cheerleaders in business, and submitting our awesome work for an award or two, shouldn't be something to be ashamed of. Even better is when you are nominated by someone else! A happy client, customer or associate. What are your thoughts? Have you won an award? Has it helped your business? Do you loath them? Are you indifferent? I'm genuinely curious... #WOWAwards #BusinessJourney #WeddingBiz #WeddingEvents #DubaiEvents #MICEEvents

Big News! Portage Sales is thrilled to announce that we've been awarded the internationally recognized Bronze Stevie Award for Company of the Year - Business or Professional Services (Small) in the 21st Annual International Business Awards. This recognition, often dubbed the "Olympics for the workplace," isn't just a testament to our growth but a celebration of the relentless dedication, innovation, and passion our team brings every day. What does this mean for us? • This is a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence in everything we do. • Recognition of our ability to drive value and deliver top-notch services to our clients. • Motivation to continue pushing boundaries and setting new industry standards. We thank our fantastic team, clients, and partners who made this possible. Your support and collaboration fuel our success, and this award is as much yours as it is ours. As we celebrate this milestone, we're inspired to strive for even greater heights. Curious about the competition and other winners? Check out the full list here: https://lnkd.in/fBjmu-t Let's keep the momentum going. What’s one goal you're aiming to achieve this year? Share with us in the comments. #TheStevieAwards #StevieWinner2024 #CelebratingSuccess #TeamPortage #BusinessExcellence

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?

There aren’t enough Northern businesses winning awards. 🥇🥈🥉 I’ve been fortunate to attend a number of conferences and award events, which are typically held in London, and every time I come away feeling that there is a real lack of representation from the North. Being a Northern lass I can confidently say there are some incredible brands and individuals doing really great things up here, but more often than not, they’re not winning, they’re not shortlisted, they’re not nominating, but most importantly they’re not even aware of them.. I rarely see any content about awards until they’ve happened and someone I follow on LinkedIn shares their new accolade, or the chance to catch up with friends. I can’t help but wonder if we are losing our invites in the post OR need do we need to shout louder about what we’re doing up ‘ere. What do you think the barrier is? 🤔 Are we celebrating our wins enough? 🤔 Do we know which awards to enter? 🤔 Do we value winning awards? 🤔 Is it purely because they’re mainly held in London?

GreenSquareAccord has announced receiving 254 nominations for their Gold Star Awards, describing this as an impressive 42% increase over last year’s entries. However, this claim seems somewhat underwhelming, especially considering their workforce size and the upcoming expenditure for the awards ceremony. To put this in perspective, with an employee base ranging between 1,000 and 5,000, the 254 nominations represent only about 5.08% to 25.4% of their total staff. Last year’s nominations, calculated to be around 179, indicate a low participation rate. Moreover, it is important to note that these nominations are solely from staff members, with no input from customers or residents. This exclusion is disheartening, particularly considering the crucial role that customers and residents play in the organisation’s operations. Their feedback and recognition would provide a more comprehensive and authentic measure of performance and service quality. When considering the costs associated with organising and hosting an awards ceremony, including logistics, venue, awards, and lost productivity, one must question the efficiency and impact of this exercise. The expenditure seems extravagant and not necessarily reflective of broad recognition across the organisation. Given these figures and the lack of customer/resident involvement, it's crucial to consider whether the awards genuinely enhance morale and recognition or if they simply serve as a costly tradition with limited reach. In light of these numbers, the resources allocated to the Gold Star Awards might be better invested in more impactful employee and customer engagement initiatives, or better yet spent making the homes of their residents safe, warm and dry.

So thankful to have received this recognition! You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYhGzEHu

You may have a seen a post I shared a few weeks ago receiving an award and wondering why it took me a year to celebrate that win publicly (this photo is from that same event). Upon reflection, I've realized that my hesitance to celebrate is part of a larger pattern. I have never stopped to really celebrate my wins.  I am guilty of constantly moving on to the next thing dismissing past achievements as if they were mere steps on an endless escalator. The win, once it's in the rearview mirror, somehow loses its sheen because it's "in the past." I cannot be the only one who is like this.  Am I?  Help me out here.  But I am coming to understand that celebrating our achievements isn't about living in the past; it's about recognizing the journey and the growth that comes with each milestone. Many of us, myself included, are wired to look forward, to chase the horizon. There's always a new goal, a new challenge. And while that drive is valuable, it's equally important to pause, look back, and honour how far we've come. Our wins, big or small, are not just trophies to collect but reminders of our resilience, hard work, and the support we've had along the way. Even in writing this I know I will still find it challenging to do, so, I'm making a commitment to not only chase the future but to also honour the present and respect the past. I endeavour to celebrate my wins, to savour the moments of success, and to appreciate the journey because the future is never guaranteed. Will you join me in this practice if you have battled this same malady?

So thankful to have received this recognition! You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYhGzEHu

Have you ever wondered why agencies shower their agents with awards? 🏆 "Rookie of the Year" 🏆 "Top 10 in Sales Volume" 🏆 "Chairman’s Club, Diamond, President’s Club" 🥴 It feels a lot like a corporate pizza party, doesn’t it? Work tirelessly to build someone else’s brand… and your reward? A plaque on the wall and a few claps from your colleagues. It’s the same old game: recognition as a cheap substitute for real fulfilment. But ask yourself—will anyone remember you for being "Top 6 in Sales"? Or will they remember you for leading a brand that’s yours—something with purpose, something real? Forget the trophies. Build a legacy that lasts.

Winning an Award: It's More Than Just the Trophy! Did you know that winning an award opens doors far beyond the accolade itself? it's not just about the moment of victory; there's a whole world of extras that come with it, often overlooked but incredibly valuable. Take, for example, the opportunity to be featured in prestigious publications – a benefit that's worth its weight in gold. Normally, securing a spot in a leading magazine can be costly, but winning an award can land you that coveted space for free.  And it's not just any advertisement; it's a feature that celebrates your achievement, adding an extra layer of credibility and recognition. So, the next time you're considering entering an award, remember it's not just about the win – it's about the journey and the doors it opens.