Why Enter Industry Awards?

Before diving into tips for a successful award submission, let’s first consider the value of entering awards in the scaffolding industry.

Build Trust and Credibility: Winning or being shortlisted for an industry award demonstrates that your business operates to the highest standards. Clients, partners, and stakeholders are more likely to trust a company that is recognised for its achievements, particularly in areas such as safety, innovation, or customer service.

Raise Your Profile: Awards are a great way to boost your business’s visibility within the industry and the wider business community. Whether it’s a local business award or a national scaffolding accolade, gaining recognition puts your company in the spotlight and opens up new opportunities for growth.

Attract Top Talent: Skilled scaffolders want to work for respected companies. Being recognised for your achievements can help your business attract and retain the best talent, which is crucial in a sector facing a skills shortage.

Motivate Your Team: Recognition through awards can also motivate your existing team, showcasing the hard work and dedication they’ve put in. It can boost morale, encourage continued excellence, and foster a sense of pride within your workforce.

Stand Out from Competitors: Industry awards provide your company with a unique selling point (USP) that distinguishes you from competitors. Being recognised for your innovation, safety record, or project management skills can make all the difference when clients are choosing between suppliers.

Choosing the Right Awards to Enter

There are many awards out there, but it’s important to choose the ones that align with your business’s strengths and values. Consider entering both industry-specific awards and local business awards, which can help raise your profile within your region.

Here are some types of awards to consider:

Safety Awards: Scaffolding is inherently a high-risk profession, and companies that excel in safety stand out. Entering awards focused on safety practices can enhance your reputation for prioritising the well-being of workers and clients.

Innovation Awards: If your company has introduced new technologies, materials, or processes that improve scaffolding efficiency, consider entering innovation-focused awards. This could include innovation in scaffold design, environmental sustainability, or digital solutions.

Apprenticeship and Training Awards: If you’re a scaffolding business that invests heavily in training and developing the next generation of scaffolders, there are many awards that recognise excellence in apprenticeship schemes. These awards celebrate companies that are helping to close the skills gap and invest in the future of the industry.

Customer Service Awards: If your business excels in delivering exceptional client experiences, customer service awards can help you highlight this. Many local business awards have customer service categories, and these can significantly boost your reputation.

Community and CSR Awards: Companies that go above and beyond in supporting their local community or implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives should consider entering awards that highlight this. Building community ties through CSR activities can significantly enhance your company’s image.

Tips for Creating a Winning Award Submission

Submitting an entry for an award can be daunting, especially if you’re not used to talking about your business’s achievements. However, with the right approach, you can create a compelling entry that showcases your company’s strengths and leaves a lasting impression on the judges.

Here are some tips to help you create a winning submission:

Be Clear About Your Achievements

Award entries should clearly outline what sets your company apart. Whether it’s a focus on safety, innovation, or your commitment to apprenticeships, make sure your key achievements are stated upfront. Avoid jargon and be specific about the impact of your work. For example, if you’re entering a safety award, provide concrete data that demonstrates how your practices have reduced accidents or improved worker well-being.

Back Up Your Claims with Evidence

Judges look for tangible evidence to support your claims, so be sure to provide detailed examples. If you’re highlighting an innovative scaffolding project, include photos, client testimonials, and performance data. If you’re entering a local business award, showcase any awards or accreditations you’ve already achieved, as well as client satisfaction surveys or case studies.

Tell a Story

A great submission isn’t just about listing facts—it’s about telling the story of your business. Use the entry as an opportunity to explain why you’re passionate about scaffolding, the challenges your company has faced, and how you’ve overcome them. For example, if you’ve implemented new technology to improve safety, describe the journey of how you discovered the technology, how it’s being used, and the difference it’s made.

Tailor Your Entry to the Award Criteria

Each award has its own set of criteria, so make sure you tailor your submission to meet them. Carefully read the award guidelines and ensure that your entry addresses each criterion clearly. If the award asks for examples of innovation, make sure your submission focuses on that, rather than trying to cover every aspect of your business.

Include Testimonials and Feedback

Positive feedback from clients, employees, or partners can be a powerful addition to your submission. If you’re entering an award for customer service, for example, include testimonials from satisfied clients who can attest to your company’s responsiveness and reliability. Employee testimonials can also help strengthen your entry by showing that your team is engaged and proud to be part of the company.

Keep It Concise

While it’s important to be thorough, it’s equally important to be concise. Judges will often have many entries to review, so make sure your submission is well-organised and easy to read. Focus on the most relevant information and avoid going off on tangents.

Get Feedback Before You Submit

Before submitting your entry, have someone outside your company review it to ensure it’s clear, compelling, and free of jargon. A fresh pair of eyes can help spot any gaps or areas that need improvement, giving you a better chance of success.

Maximising the Impact of Your Award Nomination

Winning an award is a significant achievement, but even being shortlisted can offer great opportunities for promoting your business. Make sure to take full advantage of your nomination by incorporating it into your marketing efforts:

Press Releases: Issue a press release announcing your nomination and the reasons behind it. This can generate interest from local media or trade publications.

Social Media: Share the news on your company’s social media channels. Highlight the hard work of your team and show pride in your nomination.

Website Updates: Add the award nomination or win to your website. Consider creating a dedicated page or a banner announcing your success.

Client Communications: Don’t forget to inform your clients and partners about the nomination or win. This can reinforce their confidence in your business and build trust.

Elevating Scaffolding Through Recognition

The scaffolding industry may often work behind the scenes, but by putting yourself forward for industry and local business awards, you can raise the profile of your business and the sector as a whole. Awards help to demonstrate the professionalism, safety, and innovation that scaffolders bring to every construction project, providing a platform for businesses to showcase their value.

With careful planning, compelling submissions, and a bit of storytelling, your scaffolding business could soon be in the spotlight for all the right reasons. Winning or being shortlisted for an award is a clear statement to clients, employees, and the wider construction industry that your company is a leader in its field—ready to shape the future of the built environment.