The benefits of entering the SME Business Awards
August 23, 2021
The Chamber are proud to support the SME Business Awards in East Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire and we are delighted to see so many Chamber members supporting these.
Any business can enter an award regardless of the size of your company. Deciding which awards to enter can be challenging but it is important to weigh up the time and effort it would take to enter against the potential gains.
If you’re a company in Ely and East Cambs or Huntingdonshire, submit your entry for these awards and showcase and celebrate the success of your business.
Below we share details of how you can enter these awards and provide five reasons why entering an award could be good for your business.
SME Business Awards 2021
At the recent launch of the SME Awards 2021, it was announced that all the local winners would automatically go forward to the SME National Business Awards at Wembley Stadium in December.
Any small or medium business in Ely and East Cambs or Huntingdonshire, from a one-man band to your local restaurant, pub or accountant, can enter.
Businesses can enter online – entries are free, and a business can enter up to two categories and one public vote category.
Local partners will judge the very best, culminating in a glitzy awards final.
SME Ely & East Cambs Awards
The closing date for entries is Tuesday 7 September.
The local grand awards final will take place at Ely Cathedral on Wednesday 3 November.
SME Huntingdonshire Awards
The closing date for entries is Wednesday 8 September.
The local grand awards final will take place at Burgess Hall, St Ives on Tuesday 26 October.
Five reasons why entering an award could be good for your business
Free marketing – just by entering you can improve your brand awareness and promote your business to new customers. Ensure you maximise your PR exposure.
Benchmarking – entering an award often forces you to look at your business from a different perspective and compare you to your competitors. Often you identify areas for improvement that would benefit your business and be more valuable than the prize itself.
Increased credibility – an award win, short-listing or nomination can act as a third party endorsement for your business. It helps differentiate you from competitors and sends out positive signals to customers.
Employee motivation – awards recognize the hard work and achievements of your employees so winning one can help boost staff morale and improve motivation.
Attract talent – business awards validate your hiring stature among new recruits. Increased employee morale will also help attract and retain new recruits.