This document provides guidance for applying to an awards program. It outlines the application sections and word counts for each, including describing the applicant's business and history. Tips are provided for tailoring the application to the correct category, writing compellingly for the judges, and avoiding clichés. Common mistakes to business awards applications are highlighted.

1. Submission
Writing
Workshop
www.omthreesixty.com.au

2. AGENDA
Your submission
Writing and editing tips
The application form
Q&A

3. CONSIDER THE WHOLE APPLICATION
Why you?
(300 words)
Success factors
(250 words)
Set backs
(200 words)
Values
(200 words)
Professional
recognition
(250 words)
Contribution
to WA
(100 words)
Community
contribution
(100 words)
Top business tip
(50 words)
100 word
summary
Describe org
today
Describe org
history
Describe
future of org
(1-3 years)

4. Think about which category to submit to. 60% of
last year’s entries were in small business.
TAILOR CONTENT TO YOUR FIELD
Small or Startup Business
Medium-sized Business
Large-sized Business
Family Business
Indigenous Business
Intrapreneur
Professional Services
Community, Social or
Not for Profit

5. WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
Standout application to cut through and reach interview
stage
How you deal with adversity
All questions completed
A clear direction, vision and mission
Is making a difference
Has evidence to back up claims
For overall winner, need to be positioned as the bearer of
the Business News brand and represent 2015 for years to
come. Who are people going to look up to in the future?

6. WEIGHTINGS
Why you – 25 pts
Success factors – 20 pts
Set backs – 15 pts
Values – 15 pts
Personal
Achievements
75 pts
Professional recognition – 5 pts
Community contribution – 10 pts
Contribution to WA – 10 pts
Wider
Community
25 pts

7. WRITE FOR THE READER, IE THE JUDGES
Write initial drafts in Word to get thoughts out, rather
than into the online submission form directly
Focus on what you need/want to write first (key
messages), before worrying about how many words you’ve
written – you can always edit later
Ensure all answers are aligned and tell an overall story
about you

8. WRITE FOR THE READER, IE THE JUDGES
Explain the concept and provide evidence while being
careful not to get caught up in minute details
Write with confidence, not arrogance.
Also, don’t undersell
Each sentence needs to have a clear purpose. Sentences
that are merely padding should be avoided.
If getting started is difficult, try writing about yourself in
the third person first. You can revise to first person when
editing

9. AVOID COMMON CLICHÉS
One thing led to another
It is what it is
Paradigm shift
At this point in time
Ups and downs / rollercoaster
Last, but not least
Explore every avenue
Game changer
In order to

10. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (100 WORDS)
Link to your LinkedIn account
If you haven’t updated your LinkedIn in a while, now is a
great time
Whether you provide a link to your LinkedIn or not, your
online presences will form part of the judges’ assessment
Google, publicly available social media accounts, press,
third party endorsements will all be looked at

11. ACHIEVEMENTS
Why should you win award and/or
category
Use metrics, quant, data if possible
Why you
300 words
Detail the factors that you consider had
the most impact on achieving your
success and why you consider them so.
Back up your points with evidence.
Success factors
250 words

12. ACHIEVEMENTS
Explain how you dealt with your biggest
business/career set-backs or challenges
and what lessons you consider were learnt
from the experience.
Consider highlighting the entrepreneurial
and innovative actions
Set backs
200 words

13. ACHIEVEMENTS
How have your values and behaviours
guided you in your professional
endeavours?
Values relate to your inner beliefs that
guide your behaviours. Behaviours
describe how you act or conduct yourself.
Refer to OM ThreeSixty’s ‘10 essential
core values of a leading personal brand’
Values
200 words

14. WIDER COMMUNITY
Detail any industry recognition, peer
recognition, areas of professional
expertise, scholarships, honours,
awards, published works, professional
partnerships or similar
Professional
recognition
100 words
Describe the positive contribution your
actions have had on WA business and/or
community. Ensure a clear and logical
connection. Discuss this with colleagues
and friends
Contribution
to WA
100 words

15. WIDER COMMUNITY
Past or present involvement, active
service and membership in community
organisations, honours and awards for
community involvement or for which
the community is the beneficiary
Community
contribution
100 words

16. TOP BUSINESS TIP (50 WORDS)
Describe briefly those "special words" or
"inspirational quotations" which have
motivated you to succeed.
Can be a tip you’ve written, a mantra, a
quote from a role model or inspirational
figure, or unattributed motivational saying.
Ideally your tip will have a direct
connection to your narrative.
This should be apparent without you
having to explain the link in detail.
Not part of the grading, but may form part
of the Gala Awards Night.

17. 100 WORD SUMMARY
Think of this as your personal brand value proposition
Ensure your summary encapsulates all previous
content
Don’t introduce new ideas or aspects about yourself
here
Remember this summary is not marked but will be
used for the People's Choice voting page if you want
to be included and will be visible to the public.
In the case of successful entrants, the summary may
be used during the Gala Awards Night.

18. BUSINESS ORGANISATION
Describe the organisation today
Description about the history of the organisation
What are the future plans or ambitions of the
organisation over the next 1-3 years?

19. YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
A leader’s ‘personal brand’ can be considered the
image or persona perceived by their stakeholders,
which can include Board members, investors, direct
reports, staff, current and prospective customers and
even competitors.
When approaching your personal brand strategically,
a deliberate process can help you tailor the perception
your stakeholders have when it comes to your values,
reputation, skills, attributes, achievements and
stature in the most direct way possible.

20. LEVERAGE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Use your submission as the starting point to taking
a strategic approach to your personal brand
Be proactive with your reputation and how you
want to be perceived
Look for connections and leverage opportunities
between your personal brand and the brand of
your organisation (organisational brands also
include the summation of the personal brands of its
leaders and people)
Monitor, review and adjust

21. IN SUMMARY:
1.RTQ/ATQ
2. Easy to read/follow
3. Use evidence
4. Don’t use jargon
5. Take your time
6. Involve your staff
7. Practice your pitch
8. Be yourself
9. Enjoy it!
Charlie’s advice

22. Q & A

23. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Handout: Awards Entry Guide
Handout: Advice for entering
Business Awards
Handout: 10 personal branding
mistakes that are easy to fix
Handout: The Personal Branding
Canvas
www.omthreesixty.com.au/cate
gory/personal-branding