Five signs your awards programme needs a specialist software platform
Running an awards programme presents a logistical challenge at the best of times - from entry forms to the final ceremony, it’s a lot of plates to spin. Juggling it all with spreadsheets, attachments and email chains turns what is already a pretty demanding task into an administrative nightmare. Thankfully, today’s awards management software is here to do the heavy lifting - here are five signs it’s time to ditch the spreadsheets in favour of a dedicated platform that will help your awards programme thrive.
You're drowning in admin
If you're overwhelmed with entry queries, endless spreadsheets, or missing email attachments, something's wrong. These repetitive, administrative tasks are easily handled by awards software, leaving you free to focus on the things that matter.
Your team is dropping the ball
When there are lots of people working on an awards programme, it’s easy to lose track of who’s doing what, and tasks can all too easily be missed or duplicated. A specialised platform acts as a single source of truth, and a central hub for all the relevant information, meaning team members are all on the same wavelength.
Entrants are complaining
If applicants are emailing you because they can't save their progress, they’re struggling with file uploads, or are unsure about submission requirements, their frustration is a warning sign. In today's digital world, people expect smooth, intuitive experiences - if they come up against hurdles, it will harm your entry numbers and your reputation.
You can't easily report on your programme's performance
How many entries did you receive last year versus this year? Which categories are most popular? What's the completion rate on entries? If answering these questions requires hours of data wrangling, you're flying blind. Modern software provides all the facts and figures you need to make well-informed decisions about the future of your awards programme.
Judging is a logistical nightmare
Coordinating busy judges, devising fair criteria, collating scores - judging can be one of the trickiest aspects of your awards to manage. Bespoke software lets you set up complex criteria, create multiple judging rounds, and allocate judges with ease; not to mention the fact it will sort out the scoring for you, hurrah!
The good news? Specialist awards software tackles all these pain points, freeing you up to focus on what really matters: celebrating excellence and growing your programme. If these signs resonate with you, it might be time to make the switch to a modern, comprehensive platform that will take your awards to the next level.
If you’d like to find out more about how AwardStage can help you handle your awards with ease, just drop us a line - we’d love to chat to you!
