It’s now just under a month until the deadline for submissions for this year’s Awards for Excellence.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken a look at some of last year’s winners and the positive effect the win has had on a year in business.

It was unanimously reported that the publicity award winners received contributed in some way to be a big boost to the company, be this in staff morale or overall performance.

For the winner of the 2018 Appleby Award for Charity, Cultural and Social Enterprise, Motiv8 Addiction Services, the win helped create more awareness of its work as a service which helps those impacted by drug, alcohol, and gambling problems, as well as an understanding of the service’s ethos.

Thea Ozenturk, director of Motiv8 Addiction Services, said: ’Motiv8 is a non-profit making charity which relies heavily on donations to help meet all of the service’s needs.

’Addiction support services are not popular charities when it comes to charitable giving, and the Awards for Excellence has undoubtedly raised our profile, as we have received a number of donations and grants this year beyond our regular income from such sources.

’Winning in the Awards for Excellence has been a fantastic experience for our charity. There are many misconceptions about addiction, yet behind every person impacted is a history of trauma, loss, or disadvantage.

’Furthermore, there are families affected, including children.

’Winning this award has helped to raise the profile of our work and increase knowledge and tolerance towards those affected in the local community. It has been uplifting for our team, too, who work incredibly hard.

’To see societal attitudes changing towards our work has been truly delightful.’

The confidence boost of an awards win is felt not just by individual team members, but also extended to key stakeholders and clients: it’s undoubtedly one of the things that have helped improve the winners’ credibility within local authorities.

For Motiv8 Addiction Service, it’s no longer just them saying that what they do has an impact on families - there’s now an award to show that.

It’s clear that many of last year’s winners received much more than an award. They’ve also gained extra credibility, publicity, and confidence that has helped them to thrive over the past 12 months.

For many, the initial excitement has yet to wear off, with awards still proudly on display in a company’s office, and mentions of their win still making it into marketing and promotional collateral.

For any hard-working company, individual, and those in the public and charitable sectors, it’s always good to win an award, especially one awarded by peers in the community. Aside from the obvious marketing benefits, the win helps raise the local profile of not just the winners, but the nominees, which has supported an active recruitment drive for most in the months following the awards.

This year’s Awards for Excellence will take place at the Villa Marina on Thursday, November 14.

Closing date for consideration for this year’s Awards is Friday, September 13. Companies, individuals, and both those in the public and charitable sectors who wish to submit a nomination can do so by visiting www.excellence-awards.im and downloading the relevant application form. Any queries can be emailed to [email protected].