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RQ Awards and Recognition
Best Practices to Running an Effective Awards & Recognition Program
Organizations are learning how to navigate the new normal - back to work, working remotely or a hybrid of both. It's business as usual with more new challenges! However, these unprecedent times have also touched on one of the most basic instincts we are born with – the ability to adapt – and get better at what we do.
Form submission programs consist of any form or application that requires input (and perhaps supporting documentation) followed by a review or selection process. Scholarships, grants, awards, fellowships, mentorships, volunteer applications, member nominations are just a few examples.
Managing these programs can be challenging at the best of times. Working remotely without your colleagues by your side has made simple tasks more difficult. As some people return to work and others do not, we are unable to collaborate as easily. As well, without conferences, student job fairs, or other events, it's more difficult to reach your target audience.
About RhythmQ
RhythmQ helps organizations simplify their awards and fellowship programs by providing an online solution that meets the exact needs of any client. Our digital outreach services can assist in enhancing your program publicity with tools like email marketing and social media while capturing the effectiveness of your program information dissemination.
RQ Awards is our award-winning cloud-based Award Management System that provides easy, reliable and secure automation of Awards, Fellowships, Scholarships, Grants and Mentorships from application submission to judging and administration. We help organizations around the world streamline and simplify their manual award processes. Combined with our digital marketing experience, we also assist with broadening awareness to outreach groups through social media and email marketing.
Process
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application. For a list of required information and attachments, please review the Award Application Guide
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your Nomination as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.
Best Practices to Running an Effective Awards Program
A Guide to Navigating the "New Normal" for Program Administrators
As the new work environment is still unknown for many organizations, there are 4 questions we hear most often:
- How can I manage our application and review programs efficiently if we continue to work remotely?
- Can we increase our program awareness and reach our target audience without in-person conferences and events?
- Can we make it easier for program recipients and alumni to complete post-program requirements and keep us posted on their career development?
- How do we know if our marketing outreach has beensuccessful? We've compiled a list of suggestions that will help you effectively manage your programs, whether manual, hybrid or online!
How can I manage our application and review programs efficiently while working remotely?
No one understands your application and review programs better than you. Whether your system is manual or hybrid, managing these programs can be exhausting - collecting applications through email, reading through ineligible forms, submitting supporting letters, mailing photocopied packages to reviewers or creating reports and calculating z-scores and standard deviations, just to name a few.
Can we increase our program awareness and reach our target audience without in-person conferences and events?
Understand where your audience is and how to reach themThere are many ways to reach your audience outside of traditional word-of-mouth, conferences or job fairs. Digital marketing options such as social media, email marketing and online advertising are just a few of the channels that are available to help find your audience, increase your program awareness, and get quality applicants.
Can we make it easier for program recipients and alumni to complete post-program requirements and keep us posted on their career development?
An important part of your application and review process can be tracking and receiving post-selection acceptances, documents, surveys, status reports or perhaps competition updates. When you ensure your program manages these processes efficiently, you will see increased engagement from alumni, and compliance with program requirements.
The easiest way to manage your post-selection processes and updates is by using an online system to manage these steps automatically. They can be pre-configured so your selected applicants flow through the system, completing required forms and follow-up requirements.
If your Board asked if your marketing outreach efforts were successful in getting quality applicants, would you be able to tell them?
Understanding how many visitors are coming to your website or program landing page, where the visitors are coming from, and what they do when they get there is key to your outreach marketing strategy.
Key metrics should be determined before your marketing plan begins so you can ensure what needs to be measured to know if your goals were successful. Sometimes a free job board does a better job at attracting applicants than an expensive listing. You won't know this unless website analytics are available.
RECOGNITION & ENDORSEMENT
Projects are judged by an independent panel of leading peers, building your company's credibility for industry excellence. Today's consumers look for a measurable technique to choose the best company, and awards are one of the most evident distinctions.
BUILD MORALE
Bring your team to the awards ceremony, where you and your employees will be recognized by your peers for the hard work and accomplishment that went into your entry.
HONE YOUR SKILLS
Professional award entries help identify company strength sand weaknesses, create future goals, and recognize the details that make you stand out from competitors.
ATTRACT CUSTOMERS & EMPLOYEES
Projects are judged by an independent panel of leading peers, building your company's credibility for industry excellence. Today's consumers look for a measurable technique to choose the best company, and awards are one of the most evident distinctions.
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
RQ Awards marketing campaign includes:
- A press release sent to all local media, announcing all winners,
- A press release template for your own company to customize in announcing your award,
- Inclusion in the RQ Photo Gallery Showcase in the RQ lobby entrance,
- Facebook photo galleries and video shares,
- Announcement on the RhythmQ website,
- A photo of each winner with their award.
Key Dates
Contact Us
RhythmQ Inc.1100 Central Parkway W
Mississauga, Ontario
Phone: 202 978 7088
Email: nicoleparadis@rhythmq.com
