Research

Is the desire to win awards commercial sanity or nothing more than vanity? Well, we've always plumped for the former, and whenever we hear someone say those wonderful words "well it must be good it's won an award" our belief becomes that little bit stronger. The trouble is, we are a little biased and let's be honest, not everyone likes awards as much as we do.

So, in October 2008 us curious folk at Boost commissioned Shape-the-Future to conduction a major research exercise to see the extent to which awards influenced buying decisions.

Our belief was confirmed when the survey demonstrated that of the 400 senior business people who took part, 82% admitted to being influenced by awards when buying products and services for their business (see pi chart). This was then reinforced by 76% also agreeing with the statement "awards are important for generating business or improving the value of a brand".

There is a challenge though: the survey clearly showed that on balance the number of awards being entered was on the increase, so the competition is getting more intense for these wonderfully cost effective assets that influence such a large proportion of buying decisions. 

For an executive summary and the ability to buy the full survey for £95, please click here. 

For research into the other benefits of awards, see the TJ Awards article mentioned below.

Recent articles and interviews

Every now and then Boost are asked to offer a few words on the subject of awards. Here are some examples from 2008 to 2010:

• "Super Lite Business - 101 tips for entrepreneurs wanting outstanding results - at very low cost". Boost Marketing are featured in this excellent book.
  Click here to buy the book

• Seven top tips to getting yourself short-listed for a National Business Award - Published May 2010 - To help you do justice to yourself, your company and your achievements when entering the National Business Awards, here are a few top tips from the UK's most prolific award entry writer - Chris Robinson, MD of Boost Marketing.
  Click to read the article

• BBC Radio 4 - May 2009 - Steve Punt interviewed Chris Robinson of Boost Marketing in his "Getting the Gongs" documentary about the growing industry awards trend. During the documentary Boost was jokingly introduced by Steve as "an obvious contender for the Spotting the Gap in the Market Award".  

Boost's Chris Robinson interviewed by Damian Reece 
as part of the National Business Awards webcast
 
 

• The Telegraph and the National Business Awards - July 2009 - Damian Reece, Head of Business at the Telegraph Media Group conducts live webcast interviews with Chris Robinson of Boost and a number of panellists on the role awards play in "Building Business Confidence Through Recognition".
  

• The Times, February 2nd 2008, "And the Award Goes To" four page article in the Magazine supplement.
  

• Training Journal - July 2009 - This article entitled "Everyone's a Winner", is based on research by Boost into the benefits of entering training awards. The survey of those entering the 2009 TJ Awards revealed the value of entering and being shortlisted for awards.  This four page article includes stats from the survey and case studies.
  Click here to read the article.
  

• European Call Centre Awards Gala Review November 2008- two page article on the wider significance of the ECCAs. Includes quotes from most of the winning companies.
  Click here to read article
  

• Trainingzone April 2009 - Interviewed Boost Marketing in an article entitled "Training awards: Why they matter - and how to win!".
  Click here to read article.
  

• CCF (Call Centre Focus) May 2008 edition - Half page article on how to write a submission for the European Call Centre Awards. 
  Click here to read article.