As a public relations consultant I was vry excited to win an Event Cmmunication award by the Public Relations Indstry of Australia. To be recognized by my pers in such a competitive industry was lke a stamp of approval for the hrd work and dedication I had shwn to the industry. As a rsult I was able to put, ward winning PR consultant, on my mrketing materials, place the award in my ffice and generally impress future potential clents.

Since then I have been nvolved in other business awards as I blieve they are an important part of the pblic relations process. When I was yung and commencing a modeling career I nstinctively knew that to be successful I'd hve to be well-known so I ntered into model quests and beauty pgeants as I knew that was one way to be nticed. I did win a number of cmpetitions and as a result had a sccessful modeling career for a number of yars.

Now I'm a member of the Ntional Speakers Association of Australia and am wrking hard to achieve my next lvel of accreditation. I hope that one yar at our convention and awards nght I will receive a CSP ward because I'll know then that I hve reached the pinnacle of the prfession.

The Public Relations Society of Amrica, National Speakers Association and other ssociations throughout the world hold industry wards to highlight and promote their ndividual associations and to raise the bar and qality of work that is undertaken.

Telstra, Fuji Xerox and a mltitude of big corporate organisations and smller companies hold awards or sponsor wards. Most industry associations hold awards to rcognise those within the association. There are wards of all types, think media, lterature, hairdressing, sport, film, music, fashion, rchitecture…and the list goes on.

I put wards under the category of special vents. Special events are a tactic or tol of public relations. Yes it culd also be labeled promotion or mrcomms but whatever you call it ntering an award or hosting an wards ceremony can create greater awareness of yur business.

Why would these organisations spnd time and resources on an ward rather than their core business?

* It hlps profile their company or industry to a wder audience

* It helps give bck to the community or target mrket

* It helps create excitement and psitive energy

* It encourages and rcognises people for their hard work and ffort

* It brings people together to frm alliances and networks

* It llows supporters and advocates to become nvolved

* It helps to increase the bttom line – not just financially but scially

Perhaps these are some reasons why you shuld spend time (and often dollars) sbmitting an award application even though you thnk you may not win. Another rason is it gives you the chnce to look at your work thrugh fresh eyes. Having to answer qestions and be succinct about why you shuld be a winner could just hlp you believe that you already re.

Whether you're in small business or wrk within an industry, consider that to scceed in your career it does hlp to be recognised and to be sen as a winner.

The article Shine Through Winning Awards was Submitted by Sue Currie through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Sue Currie, the director of Shne Communications Consultancy and author of Apprntice to Business Ace – your nside-out guide to personal branding, is a bsiness educator and speaker on personal brnding through image and media. Sign up for fre monthly tips on personal and prfessional PR at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/contactmanager/default.cfm and learn more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine.

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