Professional and business awards are becoming increasingly common. Not only that but competition to win one is getting tougher. Community and industry awards abound and there is as much kudos in offering awards within a business sector or geographical area as there is in winning a category.
However, there is often a reluctance to enter for an award. Our devilish little monkey brain will often chatter into our ear, telling us that we’re absolutely not good enough. It will play on our self-doubt and ask us WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? We may not like to stand out from the crowd and such blatant self-promotion might make us flinch.
Then there’s the fear of failure. Putting ourselves up for an award is just asking to be thrown out of the contest for being above our station. And who wants to feel that kind of disappointment?
Business awards are not about strutting peacocks!
I’ve seen many an Osteopath enter local business awards and this has huge advantages. For one thing, sheer recognition for the hard work they do and the difference they make to the community is fantastic. One Clinic who has won business awards, tirelessly promote and sponsor local young athletes and thoroughly deserve to win. Their philanthropy is to be greatly admired as they inspire and help these young people to believe in their talents.
Their wish is nothing to do with self-aggrandisement but rather to celebrate their passion for their work. In doing so they also gain the opportunity for free PR and newspaper publicity as well as huge attention on social media and other online platforms. This all leads to increasing awareness about how they help people back to health, leading to more bookings and greater success.
You’ve got to be in it to win it!
I was at the Institute of Osteopathy’s Awards Ceremony last year. The ballroom was packed with stunning dresses and snazzy suits. As we got to the awards ceremony, there was a palpable excitement fizzing in the room. One of my VIPs was in attendance and we waited eagerly to find out if he had won Practice of the Year. Sadly for him (but not the profession) competition was exceptionally high and a larger and very dynamic Practice won the award.
So whilst we were disappointed not to win, the whole process had made us both consider very carefully about what constitutes a winning Practice and how it can best serve the local community.
And ultimately those Finalists and Special Commendation winners can still use this recognition as powerful marketing tools. Indeed, business awards also help to establish and build trust and show expertise.
Principal of the Year 2017
This year I was given the opportunity to sponsor a category at the Institute of Osteopathy’s awards ceremony at the October Convention in London. As I work with hundreds of Principals to create thriving Practices, harness a strong and motivated team and create excellent community links, this was my immediate choice.
I am hoping for a very strong category and a difficult choice of winner for the panel! So if you think your Principal truly excels in leading the Practice, I would urge you to download the form here. Contemplate their defining qualities and reflect on how they deliver outstanding service to your community. After completing a compelling nomination, send it in and cross your fingers!
And Principals – I would also urge you to nominate those Associates who are striving to be exceptional Osteopaths and who are an integral part of your team.
The bigger picture
Achievements and recognition by the wider society also demonstrate that all the finalists are at the cutting edge of their profession. It shows that they are passionate about providing exceptional service to their community and dedicated to continually improving upon what they offer. It clearly shows that they are passionate about the qualify of care they give. And they determinedly go above and beyond the norm in order to educate and inform their community about health and well being.
In my book, that makes them all winners.
