Why I Launched an Awards Program

Biting off a whole lot and chewing fast is one of my specialities. Occasionally, it is all a bit much. But as time and my career has gone on, I've the kind and smart people around me to help achieve my dreams, whether they be opening a professional workspace, publishing and launching a book, or running a leading social media agency. So, why not an awards program?

As some of you may have noted, I launched the Serious Women in Business Awards in December 2024. It relates to a long-time run organisation under my stewardship called Serious Women’s Business Northside. And yes, you can join this Facebook Group here from wherever you might hail. Over the past eight or nine years, I’ve been able to gather nigh on 700 women together, at varying stages of their business design. I began SWB (as I call it) to have more complex conversation with female business owners; whilst I knew there were many women’s organisations that were generally inspiring and supportive of business, I wanted to move past ‘cottage industry’ business concerns (valid, but well-managed in many spaces) and discuss harder hitting subjects. I wanted women to discuss and learn about tax debts, copyright infringement, insurance, hiring, cash flow, leasing, investment and growth. So whilst we’ve business owners from all different walks of maturity, SWB is focused on supporting businesses which have reached competency move past ‘hand to mouth’ function and towards bigger goals.

The Serious Women in Business Awards are a natural extension of this purpose. I’m a big fan of awards programs and recognition generally, and Ruby Assembly support many businesses to enter and win awards. This is more than an ego-stroking effort (not that there’s anything wrong with that by the way!); entering awards programs makes you reflect on your business in a variety of important ways that improves you as a business owner. Time races past in the ‘doing’ when you’re a business owner, and forced moments of reflection are valuable. Here are some of the aspects of business awards programs can help you to reflect on and improve:

• Revenue. Whilst it’s not the be-all and end-all of business, it is a gauge that tells us about how we’re tracking year-on-year, and how the economy is faring too.
• Systems and processes. It’s acceptable to be flying by the seat of your pants when you’re a newbie, but not so much when your business is maturing. In fact, without considered systems and processes, your business is worth little as it is not replicable by another party should they buy it.
• Innovation. What have you done that’s different? What might you do to change the way you deliver your service?
• Exceptional Work. Being able to reflect on work you’ve done that has made a substantive difference to your client or your industry … or even to governance!
• Leading employer. In what ways would you like to create a wonderful workplace or work culture for your employees?

Without cues to actually put to paper what you’ve done, huge achievements and small, excellent achievements can go uncelebrated. Women in particular find it tough to celebrate their achievements, as they are hyper-competent and often feel others are better qualified to receive an award or acknowledgement than they are. In Melbourne’s north, I was surprised to realise that there is no awards program celebrating the achievements of women and female-identifying business owners. Thus, the Serious Women in Business Awards was designed. To date, I am proud to say we have 31 nominee registrations made to this awards program. I’m deep in the throes of making sure everyone completes their submissions, buys their Gala Awards Night tickets, and that we have videography, photography, a superb guest speaker, a unique sponsor and bubbles galore.

It’s going to be a banger. And it’s something I have done off my own bat, while I’m running other businesses. I do not look to diminish these community offerings down to ROI. Will I ever know the ROI of my Plakkit campaign, time spent creating social media promotion around the event and speaking to the community? To judging, paying speakers and making this event a beautiful thing? Hell no. And that’s not because I am not attuned to my business and where we win new custom: in fact, I know that business growth for Ruby Assembly and myself as an author are a cumulative effort. Every little mention, every referral, every positive exposure and act of good will is where business growth lies. And yes, every award submission, which makes me more and more aware of where I can flourish and how I am reaching towards excellence.

Enter the Serious Women in Business Awards now.