When companies plan growth, they normally focus on product improvement, marketing, or expanding the team. But there’s one thing businesses sometimes overlook: awards. Getting recognized by respected third-party organizations isn’t just a nice pat on the back—it can actually help you sell more, hire better people, and get noticed by target audiences. According to the Best Business Awards, smaller award-winning companies were also shown to have experienced a 63% increase in operating income, and a 39% growth in sales when compared to non-winners.
Awards Build Trust and Credibility
In a busy and competitive market, customers have lots of options—and they want to feel sure they’re choosing the right partner. That’s where awards come in. When a trusted group recognizes your company, it shows you’re doing something right. It means someone outside your team has taken a look and said, “Yes, this is high quality.” That third-party validation makes people more comfortable buying from you. It helps back up what you’re already saying about your business and can speed up their decision to choose you.
They Help You Attract and Retain Talent
People want to work at companies that are doing meaningful, innovative work and being recognized for it. Awards like “Great Place to Work” or “Most Innovative Company” tell potential hires something important about your culture and values. That kind of recognition can help you stand out in a competitive job market. It also gives current employees a morale boost—they feel proud to be part of a company that’s gaining attention for positive reasons. In turn, this can lead to better retention and stronger internal culture.
Investors Take Notice
When investors look at a company, they want to see signs of growth, external validation, and clear traction. Awards aren’t the whole story, but they’re a good sign. Being recognized—especially by well-known or respected programs—elevates your business in the eyes of key stakeholders. It helps back up your progress and tells investors that people are starting to notice you. Even small awards can make a big difference, especially for newer companies trying to get on investors’ radar.
Bumble: A Case Study
Bumble, the dating app, really took off after its founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, won big awards like Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and TIME 100 Most Influential People in 2018. These recognitions made more people aware of Bumble, showed what the company stood for, and helped bring in both users and investors. It wasn’t just about getting mentioned in the news—those awards played a real role in helping the company grow and get ready for its successful stock market launch in 2021. Awards gave Bumble a way to tell its story and stand out from the crowd.
We Can Help
Awards on their own won’t make your company successful. But when used the right way, they can support the goals you’re already working toward—selling more, hiring great people, and building trust. If you’re looking to grow your business the smart way, don’t forget to consider an awards program as a simple tool that many companies overlook.
