When entering awards, the strength of your evidence can make or break your chances of winning. From being recognised for your corporate social responsibility to gunning for entrepreneur of the year, presenting compelling, well-documented evidence is important for winning over the judges. Here’s what evidence you might need for your award submission.
Why is evidence important?
Evidence is a huge part of award entries. It solidifies your claims and shows your achievements. It provides a basis for comparison, helps tell a compelling and credible story, and demonstrates your professionalism and thoroughness to the judges.
Evidence you may need for your awards submission
Each award is different when it comes to what you need to show, but here are just some of the pieces of evidence that could support and benefit your awards entry.
Customer and employee survey results/NPS scores
Customer and employee feedback provides the judges with direct insights into their satisfaction and loyalty. NPS (Net Promoter Scores) are especially valued for their clear, proven measure of how likely customers are to recommend your company.
With this data, summarise the findings, highlight metrics that reflect satisfaction levels, and present positive trends over time. Present your NPS scores explaining what they mean for your business and show historical data that proves improvement and consistency.
Customer reviews
Independent customer reviews from third-party sites like Trustpilot and Feefo provide unbiased opinions about your products or services. You can choose quotes from positive reviews to include as evidence that highlights your key strengths.
Highlight any trends in customer feedback and show improvement or consistency with your high performance. For example:
“Our Trustpilot rating has maintained an average of 4.7 stars from over 2,000 reviews which positions us in the top 5% of our industry.”
You can also highlight any times a customer has raised an issue on review sites and how you have used this feedback to improve processes within the business.
Customer and employee testimonials
Testimonials offer a human element to your evidence. Make sure to include a variety of testimonials from both customers and employees that cover different aspects of your service or products, ensure you highlight testimonials that highlight:
- A positive work environment
- Great company culture
- Quality products
- Customer service that goes above and beyond
- Reliability
Stories from people who have worked at your business or who have been customers show the breadth and depth of your impact. Make sure to include a diverse range of testimonials to illustrate how your business has positively impacted customers or employees.
Financial results and growth metrics
Financial health and growth metrics show your company’s success and sustainability. In your evidence, show clear visuals of your revenue and profit growth over time, include percentages to emphasise growth, and compare your financial results to averages or previous years. For example:
“Our revenue has grown by 35% year-over-year, with profits increasing by 25%”
This not only shows strong growth but also highlights how well your operations and strategies are working. Sharing these metrics proves your company's financial health and bright future, backing up your story with clear, solid evidence.
Project results
If the award you’re entering involves projects you’ve worked on, then detailed results are great for showcasing your ability to deliver tangible outcomes and improvements. Present clear data comparing the situation before and after the project and highlight key metrics that show the success of the project.
Use charts, graphs, and case studies to provide a full view of the project and its impact. By showing before-and-after data, key success metrics, and real-life examples, you can clearly illustrate the positive changes and benefits resulting from your efforts.
CSR or charity impact
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities reflect your business’ commitment to giving back to the community and ethical practices. Specify the amount of money raised for various causes and detail the hours spent volunteering by employees. Include stories and testimonials from beneficiaries or those who have participated. For example:
“Over the past year, our company raised £50,000 for local charities and volunteered over 2,000 hours. Our employees participated in community clean-up events, educational workshops, and charity runs, making a significant impact in our community.”
Need help entering business awards?
At August Awards, we specialise in helping you with award entry writing and gathering the relevant evidence to submit. Each award requires unique sets of evidence to showcase your achievements, strengths, and impact effectively. Our expertise ensures that you present the most compelling case, highlighting your company's excellence and making your submission stand out to the judges. Get in touch with us now to see how we can help you.
