Business

How will you write your WEA application?

The 2024 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards were formally launched at a sponsors' dinner at James Street South. Taking place for the 16th time, entries have opened at wea.irishnews.com. The ceremony will take place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday June 6. This year's Gold Sponsors are Errigal Group, Options Technology, Carson McDowell and Queen's University Belfast, with category sponsors including NI Chamber, NI Job Finder, Calibro Workspace, NIE Networks, Titanic, Miller Hospitality. Drinks Sponsors Re Gen Waste Management and Diageo. Full coverage on the launch will include be in Tuesday's Business Insight. PICTURE: Colm Lenaghan
WEA Awards launch Pictured at the launch of the 2024 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards are the paper's editor Chris Sherrard (right) and business editor Gary McDonald (left) with head judge Ellvena Graham (centre) and (from left) gold sponsorship representatives Niall McAleer (Options Technology), Joanne Mallon (Queen’s University), Martina Corrigan (Errigal Group) and Orlagh O’Neill (Carson McDowell). The awards take place on Thursday June 6, with entries being accepted up until 10am on Monday April 8. PICTURE: Colm Lenaghan
By Gary McDonald

There’s nothing quite like being presented with a prestigious business award.

For any business, entering awards requires time and energy, but the investment can return massive dividends in terms of publicity, increased credibility and employee motivation.

So how do you go about putting your business or organisation into the frame to possibly win an Irish News Workplace & Employment Award this June?

Here are some simple tips to bear in mind when submitting your entry by the deadline of Monday April 8:

:: Be passionate and make sure you maximise every opportunity to showcase your organisation’s strengths. Remember, winning or being short listed will cement your reputation as a trusted authority in your field.

:: Stick to the rules! The application process has been carefully constructed to give entrants the opportunity to tell the judges everything they need to know, but don’t go over the word count and please stick to the specific questions asked.

:: Reflect on past successes. Have you entered other awards initiatives before and were you a finalist? If so, then shout it from the rooftops and don’t hide your light under a bushel!

:: Consider your strengths, areas for improvement and the direction you would like your business to head - because the application process for entering a business award can often force you to look at your business from a different perspective.

:: Try to differentiate your business from competitors in your sector - and tell us why you’re different. Remember, when a potential client or investor is looking at your company, being the recipient of a major business award like a WEA could just give you the edge.

:: Tell us exactly why you stand out from the competition - is it through innovation, diversity, growth, customer service, investment in people or strategic thinking, or a combination of them all?

:: Involve your employees. One of the most obvious benefits of even entering an award is the immediate boost to workplace morale, especially if your employees have been involved in the entry process.

:: Simply sitting down to fill in an entry form often gives organisations serious food for thought on how they can create an edge to maximise business potential and plans.

:: Remember that the application is your chance to tell the adjudicators just how great you are. Assume they know nothing of your industry or business and really spell out why you’re doing a fantastic job. If your turnover isn’t quite yet something to shout about, then don’t discuss figures. Instead, inspire through innovation.

:: It goes without saying that entering the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards will be a significant a marketing tool to promote your business or organisation? If you haven’t considered completing a nomination, you’ll be be missing a trick!