How to Become a Business Award Winner: Insights from Denise O’Leary’s Winner

In business, recognition isn’t just a nice-to-have, it can be a game-changer. Awards signal credibility, attract new clients, and give your brand a competitive edge. Yet, for many, entering awards feels daunting. Where do you start? How do you stand out? Denise O’Leary’s Winner: How to Win Business Awards is the guide that demystifies the process and shows you exactly how to succeed.

Unlike generic “success” books, Winner is built on experience. Denise isn’t just an author; she has both won multiple business awards herself and served as a judge. This dual perspective gives readers insider knowledge: not only what to do, but why it works.

The book draws on extensive experience from both sides of the awards process, including winning awards and judging entries. This dual perspective provides insider knowledge: not only what works, but why it works.

Finding the Right Awards

The first step is identifying which awards matter most to your business. Not every competition will suit your goals. The book offers practical advice for researching awards, from national schemes to sector-specific accolades, ensuring your time and effort are focused on opportunities where your chances of success are highest.

Understanding the Judges’ Perspective

One of the most valuable insights is understanding how judges think. Judges look for clarity, evidence, and authenticity. They want measurable results, real examples, and a story that demonstrates the business’s impact. Entries that overuse jargon or focus solely on fluff are easy to spot — and unlikely to win.

Crafting a Winning Submission

A central focus of Winner is providing step-by-step guidance on writing your submission. Each section of an award entry is explained, showing how to present achievements persuasively. Storytelling is key weaving challenges, milestones, and results into a coherent narrative that captures attention.

Key tips include:

• Using clear, concise language that makes achievements easy to understand.
  
  
• Highlighting measurable outcomes rather than vague claims.
  
  
• Including quotes, testimonials, or case studies to bring the entry to life.
  
  

Making Your Entry Stand Out

Even the most accomplished business can blend into the crowd without the right strategy. The book explains how to differentiate an entry, from emphasising unique aspects of your work to tailoring submissions to each award’s criteria. Small touches, such as formatting, visuals, and structured answers, can leave a strong impression on judges.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Many first-time entrants stumble by overloading entries with unnecessary detail, failing to address criteria directly, or underestimating the competition. Winner highlights these common mistakes and provides guidance to avoid them, helping create a stronger, more competitive submission.

Real-Life Examples and Insider Tips

The book is grounded in real examples, illustrating both successes and lessons learned from unsuccessful entries. Insights from the judging process reveal the behind-the-scenes thinking that can make or break an application, helping readers craft entries with a strategic edge.

Who Should Read This Book

Winner is ideal for business owners, entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and anyone looking to gain recognition for their work. Whether entering an award for the first time or seeking to improve a track record, the strategies in the book are actionable and effective.

Final Thoughts

Winning a business award is not a matter of luck, it’s a combination of strategy, preparation, and storytelling. Winner offers a comprehensive, practical guide that removes guesswork and equips businesses with the tools to shine.

By combining insider knowledge with clear, step-by-step instructions, the book ensures readers are not just entering awards they are entering to win.

With the upcoming ICAP Awards, businesses have an excellent opportunity to put these strategies into action. For extra support, the Awards Helpline with Dr Jenni is available to guide you through the process. Between Monday 16th and Friday 20th February, you will be able to WhatsApp Dr Jenni and get support with your award entry. Simply fill out the form here and she will send you a WhatsApp message!

When you’re ready, you can submit your entries through the official ICAP submission page here.

With practical guidance and step-by-step support, you can approach your entry with confidence and increase your chances of success. Don’t miss this chance to showcase your business and submit your entries today!