Showcasing individuals and teams who have
positively impacted business results through
strategic internal communication

Categories

We've got nine categories for you to choose from, with three new ones added for this year. There's also a special category, the prestigious "SCM Lifetime Achievement" award, the winner of which will be selected by SCM editors and the awards judging panel.

You may well find that your entry lends itself to more than one category and you're welcome to put forward the same work for consideration, providing that it's relevant and clearly addresses the specified criteria.

What our judges are looking for

Quite simply - our judges are looking for pioneering examples of strategic IC in action. More specifically:

• Engaging entries that tell a story and bring your work to life.
• Entries that follow the rules - as dull as it sounds, word count, category criteria and file size really do matter!
• Tangible evidence from across the whole business e.g. colleague testimonials, hard data, proof of ROI and other relevant business measures.
• A clear sight of goals and objectives from the outset - how these were aligned with wider business objectives and priorities, kept at the forefront of the initiative, and ultimately met.
• Innovation - whether it's a new idea, channel or partnership, evidence that you've blazed the IC trail!
  
• Senior level buy-in and commitment to your project, and the IC function within your organisation.

Tips to writing a winning entry

Before you get started, have a look at our top tips to writing a winning entry and maximise your chances of making the shortlist!

Category 1: Business Impact

Recognises an IC team that has added value to their organisation through an innovative or determined solution.
Entries should show IC at its most creative and flexible, providing evidence of speed of reaction, innovative thinking, clear communication and a sophisticated understanding of business drivers.

Judges will also be looking for clear and sustainable ROI, benefits to the business and the role and influence of the comms team.

Download entry template

Category 2: Excellence in Employee Engagement

Aims to attract entries from organisations that are unlocking discretionary effort from staff through effective employee engagement. Judges will be looking for examples of effective leadership communication, new thinking and evidence of a culture of engagement that is defining the internal brand and driving organisational performance and employee commitment.

Entries should include measurement methods and results (e.g. employee opinion survey results, staff absence rates) and ROI data.

Download entry template

Category 3: Excellence in Technology

Recognises the effective and innovative use of technology (social media, web 2.0, intranet) by IC teams to improve organisational collaboration and bring about business benefits.

Entries should explain what policies, projects or tools have been implemented, why they were relevant and necessary, and what results have been achieved.

Download entry template

NEW for 2012
Category 4: Agency of the Year

This award will be presented to a communication agency or service provider who has worked with a client to achieve exemplary results above and beyond the original brief.

Entrants should demonstrate how they built an understanding of client needs, include evidence of how the project/campaign met business objectives and achieved success, and provide relevant examples of creativity and innovation. Client input must form part of every entry.

Download entry template

NEW for 2012
Category 5: Internal Partnership

This award recognises a team that can demonstrate success in partnering with IT, HR, marketing or other business functions on a specific project or campaign.

Entrants should demonstrate why a partnership approach was needed, how teams collaborated to add value to the project, evidence of success and any sustainable benefits of the relationship(s) built.

Download entry template

Category 6: Small Team of the Year (1-9)

Recognises a multi-disciplinary IC team that can demonstrate they have achieved genuine strategic status within their organisation and are truly "fit for purpose".

Judges will look at how the team's strategy was devised and implemented collectively, if/how they partnered with other functions, how they built a culture of communication and what results have been achieved. Evidence of the team's flexible and agile nature resulting in business benefits should also be included.

Download entry template

Category 7: Large Team of the Year (10+)

Recognises a multi-disciplinary IC team that can demonstrate they have achieved genuine strategic status within their organisation and are truly "fit for purpose".

Judges will look at how the team's strategy was devised and implemented collectively, if/how they partnered with other functions, how they built a culture of communication and what results have been achieved. Evidence of the team's flexible and agile nature resulting in business benefits should also be included.

Download entry template

Free to enter
Category 8: Leader of the Year

Given to an individual senior communicator who demonstrates outstanding leadership and influence. Entrants should explain the contribution made both to their own team and to their organisation as a whole.

Entrants should demonstrate how they have developed and led an effective IC team and present evidence of their contribution in the form of supporting material and testimonials.

You may nominate yourself or another individual for this award.

Download entry template

NEW for 2012 and free to enter
Category 9: Internal Communicator of the Year

Open to IC practitioners below director level or equivalent, this award recognises an individual who has demonstrated ongoing excellence in their daily work and actively contributed to the success of the function within their organisation.

Nominations are accepted from individuals and managers, and should include evidence of outstanding achievement in handling day-to-day issues, as well as creativity, resilience and results in the context of the broader department.

You may nominate yourself or another individual for this award.

Download entry template

Special Award
Category 10: SCM Lifetime Achievement

This special award is not open to public submissions. The winner will be selected by SCM editors and the awards judging panel and will be announced at the Awards Dinner.

A prestigious award that recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of internal communication. The winner will have demonstrated considerable leadership, achievements, influence and a long-term commitment to excellence within an organisation, and across the wider profession.