The Golden Globes were this past weekend, honoring the best in television and movies. Thinking about your small business, which business awards would you want to win?
The real question is – what makes your business special?
What makes you stand out from the others?
If someone nominated you for an award, what would you want to be known for?
Would it be….
The Most Creative Business Award:
Do you always have the best giveaways at trade shows? Do you come up with inspirational and original marketing plans? Does your business help people find their passion? A creative business is one that thinks about doing something in a way that has never been done before. Are you the most creative business out there?
The Community Engagement Award:
This is for the small business who is always at every community event – fairs, festivals, participating in Small Business Saturday, and any other unique events specific to your town. This business also participates in Farmer’s Markets, Sidewalk Sales, 5K races and other fundraisers – you name it, this business is there. They do what they can to get their name and business venture known. Any small business can be a great community engager – is this the category for you?
The Humanitarian Award:
If service and giving back to the community are a big part of your business ideals and mission, you are most likely already known in your town for all that you do to give back. Some stores donate a percentage of their profits to a local charity, volunteer their time, or have an employee day of service every month. Your community does so much to support you, so if you do the same for your community, you are most deserving of this recognition.
The Mentorship Award:
Small business owners are in a unique position to pass on their wisdom (both triumphs and failures) to new entrepreneurs. Do you speak at local events about your journey? Are you open to connecting with people on LinkedIn, and sharing advice? If so, you may be the perfect nominee for the Mentorship Award. Being a mentor is a hard job. It takes a special skill set. Great mentors build up others and want to see them succeed because they have had people who have done that for them.
The Fantastic Atmosphere or Culture Award:
Whether you are a restaurant owner, small boutique, coffee shop, or bookstore – if people flock to your business because of the ambiance and welcoming environment, you deserve this award! Creating a welcoming and engaging space takes hard work and an investment in your people, so it would be an honor to be nominated for this award. Plus, you’ll never need to worry about job applicants!
The Place Where Everyone Wants to Work Award:
When you offer great company benefits, flexible scheduling, or just a fun work environment, everyone will want to work for you. That is a good problem to have – it means you are doing something right as a business owner. When turnover is low, and your great employees stay on and support your business mission, your business will be a success. Is your business the place everyone wants to work?
So ask yourself, as you watch celebrities walk the red carpet at the Golden Globes, Oscars, and Grammys…what will you do to make yourself and your business stand out? What is your mission, and what are your goals? How do you want your community to think of you? This list covers a few of the possibilities.
Though you might not win an Oscar, your business deserves to be celebrated for all the good things you do!
What small business award ideas do you have? If you like the notion of honoring small businesses in creative ways, consider partnering with your small business association or Chamber to start a Small Business Awards program in your community.
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