40under40 submission writing workshop
TRANSCRIPT
SubmissionWritingWorkshop
www.omthreesixty.com.au
AGENDA
Your submission
Writing and editing tips
The application form
Q&A
CONSIDER THE WHOLE APPLICATION
Why you?
(300 words)
Success factors
(250 words)
Set backs
(200 words)
Values
(200 words)
Professional
recognition
(250 words)
Contribution
to WA
(100 words)
Community
contribution
(100 words)
Top business tip
(50 words)
100 word
summary
Describe org
today
Describe org
history
Describe
future of org
(1-3 years)
Think about which category to submit to. 60% oflast year’s entries were in small business.
TAILOR CONTENT TO YOUR FIELD
Small or Startup BusinessMedium-sized BusinessLarge-sized BusinessFamily BusinessIndigenous BusinessIntrapreneurProfessional ServicesCommunity, Social orNot for Profit
WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
Standout application to cut through and reach interview
stage
How you deal with adversity
All questions completed
A clear direction, vision and mission
Is making a difference
Has evidence to back up claims
For overall winner, need to be positioned as the bearer of
the Business News brand and represent 2015 for years to
come. Who are people going to look up to in the future?
WEIGHTINGS
Why you – 25 pts
Success factors – 20 pts
Set backs – 15 pts
Values – 15 pts
Personal
Achievements
75 pts
Professional recognition – 5 pts
Community contribution – 10 pts
Contribution to WA – 10 pts
Wider
Community
25 pts
WRITE FOR THE READER, IE THE JUDGES
Write initial drafts in Word to get thoughts out, rather
than into the online submission form directly
Focus on what you need/want to write first (key
messages), before worrying about how many words you’ve
written – you can always edit later
Ensure all answers are aligned and tell an overall story
about you
WRITE FOR THE READER, IE THE JUDGES
Explain the concept and provide evidence while being
careful not to get caught up in minute details
Write with confidence, not arrogance.
Also, don’t undersell
Each sentence needs to have a clear purpose. Sentences
that are merely padding should be avoided.
If getting started is difficult, try writing about yourself in
the third person first. You can revise to first person when
editing
AVOID COMMON CLICHÉS
One thing led to anotherIt is what it isParadigm shiftAt this point in timeUps and downs / rollercoasterLast, but not leastExplore every avenueGame changerIn order to
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (100 WORDS)
Link to your LinkedIn accountIf you haven’t updated your LinkedIn in a while, now is agreat timeWhether you provide a link to your LinkedIn or not, youronline presences will form part of the judges’ assessment Google, publicly available social media accounts, press,third party endorsements will all be looked at
ACHIEVEMENTS
Why should you win award and/or
category
Use metrics, quant, data if possible
Why you
300 words
Detail the factors that you consider had
the most impact on achieving your
success and why you consider them so.
Back up your points with evidence.
Success factors
250 words
ACHIEVEMENTS
Explain how you dealt with your biggest
business/career set-backs or challenges
and what lessons you consider were learnt
from the experience.
Consider highlighting the entrepreneurial
and innovative actions
Set backs
200 words
ACHIEVEMENTS
How have your values and behaviours
guided you in your professional
endeavours?
Values relate to your inner beliefs that
guide your behaviours. Behaviours
describe how you act or conduct yourself.
Refer to OM ThreeSixty’s ‘10 essential
core values of a leading personal brand’
Values
200 words
WIDER COMMUNITY
Detail any industry recognition, peer
recognition, areas of professional
expertise, scholarships, honours,
awards, published works, professional
partnerships or similar
Professional
recognition
100 words
Describe the positive contribution your
actions have had on WA business and/or
community. Ensure a clear and logical
connection. Discuss this with colleagues
and friends
Contribution
to WA
100 words
WIDER COMMUNITY
Past or present involvement, active
service and membership in community
organisations, honours and awards for
community involvement or for which
the community is the beneficiary
Community
contribution
100 words
TOP BUSINESS TIP (50 WORDS)
Describe briefly those "special words" or"inspirational quotations" which havemotivated you to succeed. Can be a tip you’ve written, a mantra, aquote from a role model or inspirationalfigure, or unattributed motivational saying.Ideally your tip will have a directconnection to your narrative.This should be apparent without youhaving to explain the link in detail.Not part of the grading, but may form partof the Gala Awards Night.
100 WORD SUMMARY
Think of this as your personal brand value propositionEnsure your summary encapsulates all previouscontentDon’t introduce new ideas or aspects about yourselfhereRemember this summary is not marked but will beused for the People's Choice voting page if you wantto be included and will be visible to the public. In the case of successful entrants, the summary maybe used during the Gala Awards Night.
BUSINESS ORGANISATION
Describe the organisation today
Description about the history of the organisation
What are the future plans or ambitions of the
organisation over the next 1-3 years?
YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
A leader’s ‘personal brand’ can be considered theimage or persona perceived by their stakeholders,which can include Board members, investors, directreports, staff, current and prospective customers andeven competitors.When approaching your personal brand strategically,a deliberate process can help you tailor the perceptionyour stakeholders have when it comes to your values,reputation, skills, attributes, achievements andstature in the most direct way possible.
LEVERAGE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Use your submission as the starting point to takinga strategic approach to your personal brandBe proactive with your reputation and how youwant to be perceivedLook for connections and leverage opportunitiesbetween your personal brand and the brand ofyour organisation (organisational brands alsoinclude the summation of the personal brands of itsleaders and people)Monitor, review and adjust
IN SUMMARY:
1.RTQ/ATQ2. Easy to read/follow3. Use evidence4. Don’t use jargon5. Take your time6. Involve your staff7. Practice your pitch8. Be yourself9. Enjoy it!
Charlie’s advice
Q & A
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Handout: Awards Entry GuideHandout: Advice for enteringBusiness AwardsHandout: 10 personal brandingmistakes that are easy to fixHandout: The Personal BrandingCanvaswww.omthreesixty.com.au/category/personal-branding