If you’re savvy you’re probably already thinking about how to grow in 2026. And this is the perfect time to consider new goals, new strategies, and new opportunities.
One of the best ways to boost your growth is to win valuable business awards.
And if you are keen to gain recognition for your business, the work really needs to start now.
Most brands tend to miss this crucial stage, and then miss out when awards season arrives. So if you’re serious about standing out and getting the recognition you deserve, from the right awards programmes, you need to take three key steps before the year ends.
Seize this moment to prepare for next year's recognition
Awards aren’t interested in what you’re going to do, they want to celebrate what you actually have achieved, who was behind the work, and how you got there.
The good news? That means you’ve already done the hard work. All you need to do now is capture it as a story, prove it, and plan how to present it to the judges.
But all of this doesn’t happen overnight, and if you leave it until the submission deadline you’ll be scrambling to pull an entry together, or missing it altogether.
So, what is the secret to becoming an award-winning brand in 2026? Start today. Here's how:
1. Look Back Before you Move Forward
Before you chase new targets, take stock of what you’ve achieved in 2025, because that’s exactly what award judges will look at and consider.
Even if it’s been a tough year, it’s likely that you’ve made progress in ways you might not have noticed. For example, did you launch or grow something new? Maybe you hit an internal milestone, or overcame a challenge? Did you serve your customers in a new way, or improve your processes or culture?
It’s important to remember that awards aren’t just for record-breaking growth, or flashy marketing campaigns. They’re also for meaningful progress, innovation, leadership, and resilience.
Grab a blank page and write down what your business and people have achieved this year… you might surprise yourself.
2. Gather your All-Important Evidence
When it comes to winning awards, achievements alone are never enough. You need tangible proof.
Judges don’t just want to hear what you did, they want to see how you did it, and the resulting impact.
Here’s what you should start collecting right now:
- Data: Metrics that show growth, outcomes, engagement, and satisfaction
- Feedback: Client testimonials, employee quotes, and public reviews
- Case studies: Stories that show your impact in action
- Endorsements: Media coverage, or recognition from others
Don’t worry about making it perfect yet. Just start gathering your assets into one place such as a shared folder, a dashboard, or a simple document.
Remember to add dates to everything as award entries are time-sensitive, and relevance matters.
3. Strategically Plan your Roadmap to Recognition
If you want ongoing recognition throughout 2026, you need a 12-month strategic awards plan.
To build your plan, firstly, you need to identify your target awards; Which ones best align with your goals, sector, and achievements?
Next, make a note of their deadlines as you don’t want to miss your window of opportunity. Most awards are open for around 6-12 weeks.
Then, you need to work backwards to allow 4-6 weeks to prepare a standout entry. This stage involves assigning roles to those responsible for gathering information, writing the award entries, and managing the submission process.
It’s essential to bear in mind that all awards are not created equal. Focus on the ones that build your brand, boost trust, and deliver real ROI.
What Happens When you Follow this Process?
By sticking closely to this three-step process, you will build a clear record of your achievements, together with a range of proof points you can use not just in your award entries but across your marketing, PR, and sales.
And ultimately you will have a solid roadmap for recognition and, best of all, a much stronger chance of actually impressing the judges and winning.
Keep this up throughout 2026 – and beyond – to ensure your brand becomes known for excellence, leadership, growth, and performance. All of these are core attributes of every award-winning business.
Take Your First Step to Awards Recognition
We would love you to join our free January Masterclass How to Build a Strategic Awards Roadmap for 12 Months of Growth.
This practical, highly valuable session, will demonstrate how you can:
- Turn your 2025 achievements into award-winning stories
- Create a 12-month plan tailored to your business goals
- Discover the biggest mistakes brands make when entering awards, and how to avoid them
Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to secure your place as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Find out more details on how to join here.
