Five Reasons to Nominate for the 2018 Difference Maker Diversity Awards

I was speaking with a colleague the other day about the Difference Maker Diversity Awards, she said that she was a bit too busy to stop and think about this award opportunity.  I was thinking that whilst I understand we are all busy, I also thought how we don’t do ourselves any favours when we don’t share the good things we are doing to champion diversity on boards.

I know it takes time, energy and concentration to complete an awards nomination form but ours is so simple and it can bring great benefits. Here are a few I could think of

1. Boosting the person or organisation you nominates profile
   Winning an award is guaranteed to give you a higher profile within the industry. This award offers the opportunity to receive lots of media attention, and all nominees will be acknowledged.
2. Boosting credibility
   Whether you win the award or not, the simple fact that you have been nominated signals to the sector that you are worthy of their attention.
3. Increased confidence in the board and the business
   A higher profile and boost to your credibility or the board’s credibility can bring more business.   If you are good enough for an award, who is going to argue with it? You get to say ‘Award Winning’ in your marketing material! 
4. Publicity
   An award nomination is a great story to use in your media efforts particularly at a local level.   It gives you a story for your press release which will capture media attention. This could bring new and diverse board members who see you as inclusive.
5. Recognise your own achievements or your boards achievements
   In many ways this is the most significant reason for preparing your nomination form. The questions really make you think.  You need to analyse what you have done, how you have done it, what worked and what didn’t.  Too often we look at what we have done wrong.  Completing a nomination forces our attention towards the things we’ve done right.

Nominations for the Difference Maker Diversity Awards are easy – you can self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organisation. You will be asked the following:

Individual Award Nomination

1. Describe the leadership shown and actions taken by the nominee to promote, encourage and champion diversity on a board.
2. Demonstrate how the action(s) towards diversity have improved the board and/or organisation.

Board Award Nomination

1. Describe the strategies implemented to promote diversity on the board.
2. Demonstrate the outcome(s) that have been achieved because of the improved diversity on the board.

All nominations are entered online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/dfawards.

Winners will be advised at our June ‘State of the Nation Event’ and will be presented with a trophy, certificate and an opportunity to present at the September Unconvention as part of the Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards program.

For further details please call me on 94506233 or email me at nicky.h@southcare.org.au

I urge you to give it a go.