5 TIPS ON WRITING A WINNING ENTRY

Be clear and specific. Ensure your entry is concise and easy to explain, provide background to outline your objectives and strategy. Give specific examples – facts, not fluff – and avoid jargon. Answer the question precisely by breaking up the various sections to further specific questions rather than submitting a generic entry.

Structure your entry by using only the entry form provided to you. Stick to word count per section. Avoid using any form of organisational branding. Creating a narrative format will help capture the judges’ attention.

Provide clear, tangible evidence that directly addresses the criteria. Be specific and avoid vague generalisations. To strengthen your entry, include relevant HR metrics such as employee turnover, absenteeism costs, and other business measures like customer service or profitability. Demonstrating a causal link is key – can you show that a decrease in absenteeism is a result of your well-being initiative, or is it due to broader factors like job insecurity in uncertain economic conditions?

Try to relate your service to the requirements of the business – how did it support the business and what was the return on investment? Tell the judges what business problem you were trying to resolve and how your solution helped in commercial terms. Show how the initiative was done by HR for the business, not for HR. Keep timescales in mind regarding certain initiatives.

Always proof read. Spelling mistakes and typos can ruin an otherwise sound entry. You’ll be surprised how many judges have bemoaned entries that are simply confusing and complex. Give yourself plenty of time to put together a solid entry. Don’t leave it too late and be forced to rush something – start now.