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The Business Awards Show

The Business Awards Show

By: Debbie Gilbert
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 Welcome to the Business Awards Show, where we share valuable information, secret nuggets, to get your award entry noticed by the judges for all the right reasons. Our weekly episodes also feature inspirational interviews with winners, judges, and sponsors. So let's dive in and start your journey to award winning success. Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Episode 176: How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick

    Episode 176: How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick
    Dec 17 2025
    Join Debbie Gilbert from The Business Awards Show as we discover How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick. Dee is a multi-award-winning marketing expert, and author of six bestselling books. Crucially, she is one of only 3% of marketers globally to hold Fellowship status with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. With 41 years in marketing, Dee evolved from working in "big glossy businesses" to becoming a passionate advocate for SMEs. A natural writer who "tumbled into marketing," she continues writing for magazines, as well as her books, combining her twin passions seamlessly. Key insights from this episode: • Why "marketer" has become misappropriated: web designers to promotional gift sellers claim the title without proper training or understanding of marketing fundamentals • You have to put in the hard yards to become a Fellow: Dee submitted a rigorous dossier proving decades of grassroots work • Unregulated industries are a problem: many businesses have spendt £20,000+ with "marketers" (actually web developers) pushing expensive websites without the right marketing analysis • Good marketing advice is unbiased: it should prioritize client success over selling schemes, memberships, or specific services Book Awards vs Business Awards: Unlike business awards, book awards often nominate works independently. Dee won awards from independent review sites, Guardian Top 10 Reads for Entrepreneurs, and magazine writing awards; all without entering. The Business Book Awards, however, requires a written entry but features rigorous judging where every book is read and assessed on content quality, not sales figures or publisher prestige. "You're The Best!" - Dee's Latest Book: Born from a dream (literally!), this personal branding guide distills Dee's 40-year template for moving from "seeker of opportunity" to "sought after." Written against the backdrop of AI "bleaching" authentic brands, it celebrates authenticity and provides a step-by-step roadmap to building your brand without selling expensive schemes. Dee's Essential Marketing Tips: Strip back to basics: identify your target audience, overcome barriers to sale, and create wow moments throughout your client journey. Additionally, review marketing spend: small amounts add up to thousands when misaligned with your target audience. And if you don't have time to do marketing, bring in a specialist, even for 10-15 hours a week. It will pay dividends. About Dee Dee is a multi-award-winning Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is also a #1 bestselling marketing author of books including, The 15 Essential Marketing Masterclasses for Your Small Business (Wiley), winner of the Bookbag non-fiction award. Her previous book, The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book, hit the Amazon charts at 150 before remaining a top 10 category bestseller for 5 years. It was even translated into Chinese after Dee was offered a publishing deal by CITIC Publishing. She has just launched her fifth marketing book, You're the Best! How to Build an Authentic and Magnetic Personal Brand. It offers 13 chapters of theory-free wisdom and experience so you can move from "seeker" to "sought after". On Amazon pre-release it was #1 in 6 categories. It is essential reading for any founder wanting to be a magnet for clients, introducers, and influencers on a shoestring budget. Throughout a 40-year career, Dee has worked with clients from all sectors,helping each one to build their personal brand and become a key person of influence. Consistently, she has followed the same process, delivering considerable success. {2:20} Dee's business journey. {3:22} What made Dee go into marketing. {4:33} Working with a diverse range of customers. {6:05} Why the Chartered Institute of Marketing is so essential. {9:58} The worrying growth of unqualified marketeers. {13:20} Dee's experience of book awards. {20:27} You're the Best! The book to build your personal brand. {28:37} How awards and personal branding align. {29:36} The Boutique - Dee's work of fiction. {32:28} Dee's top marketing tips. Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Dee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativemarketer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dee.blick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blick.dee/ You're the Best!: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Best-Authentic-Magnetic-Personal/dp/1917534078 15 Essential Marketing Masterclasses for Your Small Business: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Marketing-Masterclasses-Small-Business/dp/0857084402
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    37 mins
  • Episode 175: Bringing Awards to The Isle of Man with Louise Wheeler

    Episode 175: Bringing Awards to The Isle of Man with Louise Wheeler
    Dec 10 2025
    This week's Business Awards Show looks at Bringing Awards to the Isle of Man with Louise Wheeler, founder of L C Consultancy and the Elevate You Awards. Originally from Essex, Louise ended up in the Isle of Man almost by accident. In her words it was because she and her now husband were offered a free lift from Guernsey! Louise's Journey: After 15 years in L&D, including four years in the gaming industry, Louise took the leap to establish LC Consulting. Starting with basic challenges like setting up professional email addresses and websites, she built a thriving consultancy specializing in leadership training, executive coaching, and organizational culture development. Key insights from this episode: • Why bite-size learning works - Louise delivers impactful half-day sessions (3-3.5 hours) rather than full-day programs that sap attention and effectiveness • The power of differentiation - Louise strategically gained qualifications and licenses to offer services competitors weren't providing, making her the go-to expert on the Isle of Man • Awards awakening - From collecting a corporate award without personal attachment to discovering the transformative power of business awards through a virtual course speaker • Strategic award planning - After winning Director of the Year (Institute of Directors) and Woman Who Solopreneur, Louise now focuses on industry-specific awards in L&D, coaching, and culture Creating the Elevate You Awards: Inspired by Sandra Garlick's Woman Who awards, Louise founded Elevate You to recognize women leaders, entrepreneurs, and solo-preneurs on the Isle of Man. What started as an expectation of 30 attendees exploded into 100+ guests at an afternoon event designed for working mums. Louise's innovative approach included afternoon timing (finishing by 3:30pm for school runs), no childcare barriers, elegant afternoon tea, and intimate celebration - deliberately different from traditional evening galas. The overwhelming feedback? "Do this every year!" Louise's wisdom: "Say yes and do it scared" - embracing opportunities despite fear leads to unexpected success and growth. About Louise After leaving her senior corporate role in 2021, Lou took the leap to build a consultancy that brings together her qualifications and 15+ years of experience across leadership development, coaching, and culture transformation. Today, she specialises in helping leaders and managers grow into confident, capable, resilient, people leaders. Alongside this work, Lou created Elevate You, a brand devoted to recognising, supporting, and empowering women in business. In 2025, she launched the Isle of Man's first-ever awards event dedicated to celebrating women, an entire platform she built from scratch while running her consuiltancy. Elevate You has grown into a community platform that champions achievement, sparks confidence, and brings ambitious women together. Away from work, Lou is a mum and wife living in a very lively, boy-filled house. Their two Cockapoos insist on being her "worjk colleagues" and she admits they are adorable but major distractions! {2:15} Why Louise left the gaming industry to set up an L&D company and an Awards programme. {4:23} Why Louise came to live in the Isle of Man. {7:30} The challenges running a consultancy business. {10:34} Finding her first clients. {14:00} The types of projects Louise works on. {17:16} When awards first came on the radar. {22:27} Winning an Institute of Directors' Award. {24:05} How the Elevate You Awards were created. {27:47} The inaugural Elevate You event in September 2025. {28:49} The judging process. {30:28} The number of finalists and winners. {35:40} Turning Elevate You into a community platform. {37:09} Louise's one nugget of wisdom. Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Louise: https://lcconsultancy.im/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l-c-consultancy-limited/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089246773652 https://www.facebook.com/p/Elevate-You-61573836203920/
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    41 mins
  • Episode 174: How to Win at Awards with Stephanie Brown

    Episode 174: How to Win at Awards with Stephanie Brown
    Dec 3 2025
    Join Debbie Gilbert from The Business Awards Show to find out How to Win at Awards with Stephanie Brown. Stef is an expert awards consultant with an impressive 88% success rate across 500+ award entries. She shares her unique journey from professional dancer in Montreal to becoming a sought-after awards specialist in the UK. After working in creative agencies for 15 years, she discovered her talent for crafting winning award entries that combine creative storytelling with analytical thinking. Key insights from this episode: Why award strategy matters more than simply entering awards; align entries with your business objectives (business development, recruitment, or investment readiness)The importance of context in award entries - big numbers mean nothing without proper framing and comparisonHow to identify when you're not "award ready" and why waiting can save money and credibilityRed flags to avoid in pay-to-play awards: mandatory expensive winner packages, charging judges to participate, unclear judging criteria, forcing attendance, and public voting systemsWhy you should announce being shortlisted, not just winning - it's valuable PR at every stageThe dreaded "oh sh*t moment" - why last-minute entries rarely succeed and how to create an awards schedule instead Stephanie emphasizes that winning isn't the end goal - it's about creating valuable content you can leverage across your marketing channels. Furthermore, with her marketing background, she helps clients maximize their award investment beyond just winning a trophy. Whether you're considering entering awards or want to improve your success rate, this episode provides invaluable guidance on navigating the awards landscape ethically and strategically. About Stephanie Stephanie became an independent awards and case study consultant in 2009, after 15 years as an in-house marketer at various creative agencies. She works with clients to define their awards strategy, identify what to enter, and to write copy/provide advice for winning entries. She has over 500 entries under her belt and an 88% shortlist success rate. Stef also helps to review entries written by her clients. What has she learned over the years? Everyone loves to win awards. It's bright and shiny recognition you can feel good about. But entering (and winning) awards should be more than that. People decide they need to enter awards, they don't actually think about why they should do so. That's where they can go wrong – and potentially waste a lot of time and money. It's all about defining the exact reasons why to enter awards, how they support business/brand objectives, and what you hope to achieve if and when you win them. Prior to her marketing and awards career, she was a professional dancer, choreographer and lighting designer. Originally from Canada, she's lived in the UK since 1992. Outside of work, her passions include dancing Argentine Tango and cultivating exotic orchid genera. {1:30} Stef's journey into award-writing. {7:23} Applying strategy to entering awards. {8:58} Identifying the right awards and collating information that will increase your chances of winning. {12:18} How to manage clients who aren't award ready. {13:59} Unethical award programmes. {14:44} How to spot the red flags of poor awards. {17:41} Justifying entry fees but why judges should not be paying for the privilege. {20:54} Charging extortionate fees for winning is not right! {22:51} Publicising being a finalist, not just a winner. {25:05} The problem with awards based on public votes. {26:36} Stef's key awards tips. {29:29} Deadline extensions are wrong! Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefbrown/
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    33 mins
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