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How do I enter a BIFM Award?

Published on: 28 Feb 2017

The categories - this year there are  12 categories:

People

            Newcomer of the Year

            Manager of the Year

            Leader of the Year

            Lifetime Achievement

            Team of the Year

Innovation

            Innovation in Technology and Systems

            New Product or Service of the Year

Impact

            Impact on Customer Experience

            Impact on Employee Experience

            Impact on the Environment

            Impact on Organisational Performance

            Impact on Society

Checklist: entering the awards

1. Review the categories at  www.bifmawards.org

2. Register with the BIFM Awards online entry system and select the categories you plan to enter. You can start your entry at any time and return and update as you go. The BIFM team is on hand to help with any queries.

3. Read the criteria and entry guidance, and ensure that your entry addresses the key points covered in them. Prepare your entry, supporting documents and overview of the entry. Ensure that the total of all attachments is no more than 10 pages of A4.

4. Upload your entry material  and any supporting documents  on the entry site. You can log in and make changes to your submission at any time up until  the entry deadline or when you submit your entry.

5. The entry fee is £250+VAT. Each of the Newcomer of the Year, Manager of the Year, Leader of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement categories  are free to enter.

6. Entry deadlines:  19 April 2017 (30  June 2017 for nominations in  the Lifetime Achievement  category).

The judging process

Once entries close, the formal judging process begins. Each category is judged by a panel of industry experts, each with a lead judge and a team of support judges. The judging process also checks and handles any potential conflicts of interest once the entries are in. This means that the lead and support judges may change to ensure impartiality. There are two rounds of judging:

Round 1: Written submission

The judging panel conducts a review of the written submission and scores each entry against set criteria. This score will count for 25 per cent of the overall score in the People and Impact categories, and 40 per cent in the Innovation categories.

Round 2: Presentation round

Successful entrants are invited to present and attend an interview with the judging panel. Interviews will take place in London during June. Scores in this round account for 75 per cent of the overall score for the People and Impact categories, and 60 per cent in the Innovation categories.

What makes a strong entry?

We spoke to some of the judges for  the BIFM Awards to gather some advice about what makes a strong entry:

1. Gather your story and capture the judges’ interest

Sarah Hodge, lead judge, Manager of the Year: “Think about it now; look at the criteria and begin to gather your story. Throughout the year you’ll be doing things to add to your story – think about if it is having an impact. Even at the start of a project, think what you will need to achieve in order to win.”

Andy Kelly (AK), lead judge, Impact on Customer Experience: “Make your submission come to life so the judges get a true understanding and feeling of what your submission is about and why it should win.”

2. What should I include?

Lucy Jeynes (LJ), lead judge, New Product or Service: “Show us how your entry benefits key stakeholders, such as clients or service providers. Back it up with costings and payback, and any wider applications or future developments for your project.”

3. Use compelling evidence to support your entry

LJ: “Illustrate the benefits of your entry with a case study, support your claims with real-life evidence.”

AK: “Endorsements or even attendance at the presentation by a customer or client who supports your submission go a long way in backing up your story.”

4. Keep it relevant!

Nick Shaw (NS), lead judge, Impact on Organisational Performance: “Keep the information in your entry relevant and be succinct. Anything that is irrelevant simply detracts from the key points you are looking to put across. An award is given to the best entry, not the one with most facts. Good facts stand out more when not lost in content that does not add value.”

5. Bear in mind who is judging you

NS: “If your entry is shortlisted for interview, do not assume that all of the judging team are sector specialists in the field you are presenting - each judging panel is a good mix and cross-section of the industry. Be confident and remember that all projects are evaluated with equal merit. The judging process does not favour the highest-profile project.”

What’s in it for me?

You know how to enter, what to include in your entries, but why should you enter? We asked some of the judges what you can get out of entering a BIFM Award:

Andy Kelly

“You get recognition from the institute that the initiative is in fact leading edge and best practice within its given category.  The marketing value of this  is unquestionable.

“The organisation or individual will also benefit no end if successful in the fact they will become the focus of the FM industry in how to deliver best practice and excellence within that category.”

Nick Shaw

“When an organisation or individual enters an award it gives them the opportunity to raise their brand and profile by demonstrating excellence in their capability and showcasing their service offer. In many cases this also involves the engagement and support of key customers; a process in itself that improves working relationships.

“Equally, the awards lead to recognition of the efforts of the project team that are at the crux of the decision to enter a specific category. The awards raise the profile of an organisation through recognition of the efforts and contribution of those involved in delivering the nominated service.”

For more information on entering an award, visit www.bifmawards.org