Awards are a vital component in the success of a company’s overall communications plan, and EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year® is among the most prestigious, which is why OWC has been a proud sponsor of the program for the past 13 years.
EY’s EOY program is one of the few business awards programs that is a true competition, which makes it even more interesting for entrepreneurs. If any word describes entrepreneurs, it would be competitive. The 2021 deadline for submissions is coming up. Award nominations are due by midnight on April 16, 2021.
In addition to being judged by peers, business leaders and past winners, nominees will make their case for why they should be considered to be named Entrepreneur Of The Year. Going through this discovery process is preparation for other industry awards throughout the year and perhaps be interesting to media looking for a good story. Insight can be repurposed, such as:
- How did your business get its start? What were the challenges in launching and building the company, including the personal and financial risk involved?
- Describe the role of the entrepreneur. How is it different from running an established company, and what traits of leadership are required?
- What are the elements of a business plan capable of a successful launch and continued growth, and what are the lessons learned?
- Describe your vision for the future of the business, the likely obstacles, and how to overcome them.
- What is the company’s culture and reputation and how do you manage both?
- Explain your crisis plan. When a business emergency arises, what are the protocols to deal with it, and how are they to be communicated to staff, the press, and the public?
Entrepreneurs are doers, focused on business growth, building and maintaining a workforce and creating a culture to keep the flywheel moving. You know the answers to these questions, but may need help in articulating them and telling your brand story. Now is the time to share them.
Winning isn’t everything. In fact, joining the ranks of EY’s nominees automatically raises awareness among media and the Los Angeles business community. Nominees who don’t win on their first try often successfully persist in winning the next year, knowing that the act of entering into this high-profile group of other successful companies raises their profile in the community. The simple act of periodically examining our own performance, recognizing achievements and identifying challenges to overcome is often cited as critical to the success of every business.
OWC encourages every business to self-nominate, or to put forward a client or business leader worthy of recognition. Not in Los Angeles? There are programs in 145 cities and 60 countries around the world. Find their programs here. Submit a nomination before April 16, 2021.
Stumped on the application and the best way to tell your story? We’re here to help.
Best,
Tracy
