QUESTION | Why is applying for an award good for my business?
I used to be skeptical about the benefits of awards for our company. When I think about it now, I am a big advocate of taking time to apply and participate. Good things can happen as a result — sometimes things that you didn’t expect.
In 2003, I was asked to accept a nomination for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Our company was growing at such a quick pace, and we were so busy that I said that I don’t have time for filling out the application; besides, I was just happy that we were finally having some good success.
I was fortunate that they would not take no for an answer, and I went on to be the winner in the business- to-business category. I was amazed at how this provided our Kryton staff with a real sense of ownership and pride. They were the reason for our success, so it was wonderful to know that this was important to them.
I was unaware of the many PR opportunities that surface after the awards. We had several articles and interviews, which helped create positive awareness for Kryton. Shortly after the awards, we had a visit from a prospective distribution partner for Australia. He’d seen that we won this award and said that these awards were well known and respected in Australia. Today he is a thriving part of our international distribution.
Kryton has been recognized as the best place to work in B.C., which has had huge benefits in attracting and keeping talented people. There are a variety of awards out there, and we have been fortunate to be winners in many areas from products and marketing to personal awards. Choose ones that you feel are a fit for you and your company, and you may be pleasantly surprised that it was more than worth the time to apply.
KARI YUERS | President and CEO of Kryton International Inc.
SOURCE: www.biv.com
