Thoughts on the value of the Telstra Women's Business Awards

Dear colleagues,

I would love to hear your thoughts about the value of the Telstra Women's Business Awards in terms of ROI to go through the entry process (if you have been nominated) and the subsequent networking, learning and business opportunities that follow?

About Telstra and the Awards - Telstra Business Women’s Awards

 

If you have the time Rene, every little bit helps.
I have a friend, a mortgage broker in SA that has won and participated several times.

I would totally be in it if I had some time to put it all together. Maybe next platue phase in my business

 

Not sure for the female specific but for the usual Telstra business awards then around 50 hours of work needs to go into an application to be competitive. The applications are extensive and short answers just don't cut it.

 

Thank you for your thoughtful advice. I have been kindly nominated by a client and have spent 6 hours already responding to 10% of the application responses so far...it does offer opportunity to really reflect on the business journey and think about value add improvements

 

Hi Renee
Some people hire a PR expert to get it through.
Yes it's heaps of work.
You deserve to win

 

Hi Xenia

Thank you for your enduring encouragement.

I am going to do the work myself and write from my head and my heart ...no doubt there is a new learning curve for me and an opportunity to reflect on how we can improve on everything we do

 

Thank you for the insight...I want to expand our footprint in the inclusive housing space...Jessica May sounds like an outstanding person

 

Personally I always view those awards as businesses that are focusing on the wrong end of their business. I also view those awards as the sort of things people do cause they have too much time on their hands - cause they're business is not that busy. Marketing is important but the quality of the product / service that is behind it is more important.
It's easier to retain clients than to find new ones. Retained clients will spread the word for you.
Spend those hours building a quality business instead of talking about having a quality business.

BTW - you are the property manager for one of our properties and yourself and Martin have done a great job so far - keep doing that and let people like me spread the word. You don't need b*****t meaningless awards to attract customers - they don't care.

 

That is a very interesting post...thank you!

I was doing the writing and reflecting between 10 pm and midnight over the past three nights as we have no time given we work from 6:30 am through to evenings. You are right, it has been tough finding the time to do the writing however the reflections have been helpful.

You pose very useful comments - will think on it more. One of the key statements I did make was that we carefully manage each tranche of new clientele coming in to match the increased workload with sufficient resources to continue to delight our existing clientele as there is no point focusing on the front end of the business whilst neglected clients walk out the back door at the same time. We are very focused on ensuring our growth is sustained by the right resources as we have noticed what happens when businesses grow too quickly

 

Geoffw
I recall on SS there was a member who actually won this award, just cant remember the name. I don't think she has posted for some time.?? Perhaps someone knows who it is??

 

T

Thank you for the positive perspective Geoff.

I made the decision to have a go and undertake the additional work and time commitment to submit a full application. There were tight word limits of 200 or 350 words per question culminating in 21 pages of responses. The process challenged me to reflect hard and really think about the next phase of the business, how to enhance financial sustainability and most importantly acknowledge that I would truly value a mentor. The future networking post interview phase will be very important for me to access a mentor.

The process also reiterated to me how important a values driven boutique property management is to contribute to the real estate landscape. Likewise, to advocate for more inclusive housing in the community as it makes good business sense to have housing stock that meets the functional needs of all people in the community.

In closing, I saw the process through and submitted my completed application on Friday night.

 

Well done - I think the process of applying for those things can be a very good reflective process that the biz will benefit from regardless of whether you take home the award or not. Good luck!

 

Keep us posted on how it goes

 

Will do Lizzie!