You’ll have heard me go on about the benefits of entering business awards before. But in previous communications I’ve extolled the virtues of the more obvious benefits of entering awards like networking, profiling, a reason to conduct a PR campaign, defining your direction (i.e. looking back to look forwards), building trust and credibility with prospective clients and current ones plus more.

But you know, there’s more reasons why if you are in business you really should give some thought to entering business awards now or in the future:

1. Write it off as a tax

I truly couldn’t think of a more fun way to clock up expenses. Check with your country’s tax department first in terms of your industry, but generally when it comes to awards nights you buy the ticket, get a really nice meal, drinks, entertainment and a good time all as a tax write off!

2. Meet influencers and get a chance to have your say

I have met the most incredible people at business awards. Government officials, heads of major corporations, celebrities – you name it. Meeting someone like this at a business award ceremony is great context. Everyone usually has a few wines down them and has no meetings to rush off to, so are happy to do a little networking.

3. You get to buy a new outfit

Okay so this benefit might be more one for the girls, but between my workload and kids, it’s not often I make time for myself to hit the shops and find not only a new dress but the whole kit and kaboodle – the shoes, the jewellery, make up, and more. I may not do this often, but at least entering awards means I will look to kit myself out at least a few times a year!

4. Spend quality time with your clients

I often invite my favourite clients to business awards, sometimes to introduce them to the concept of entering business awards and other times to regularly to chat between breaks. One of the finalists on the night (who eventually one the New Business Category) even saw fit to take 10 of their chiropractic clients along. Now that level of friendship really says something! You know you’ve really succeeded when a client becomes a friend – something I regularly aspire to.

5. Check out a new city

I have been to business awards in almost all the major cities of Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast (okay none in Adelaide, Darwin or Perth yet – but here’s hoping!) and having been born and bred in Wellington and having lived in London for 7 years I LOVE BIG CITIES!

Proper shops with proper window displays, massive entrances, the big labels, the kitchy souvenir shops – I love it all. What better excuse for a weekend break than having to attend an award in a city you may not be familiar with?

I hope I’ve given you some ideas of some of the less obvious benefits of entering business awards and that you will seriously consider entering them. Of course if you need help entering them, we hope you’ll look to engage our services!