Instrumentation & Electronics Awards
A strong submission would be one that explains why your IoT device is considered innovative. Is it the design, the application or both? As for stating how it is different from anything else in the market, does your product draw less power than its nearest competitor, for example? Does it work with multiple wireless protocols (Bluetooth, WiFi, LoRaWAN, etc.)? Is it a smaller form factor? If no single feature can be considered a differentiator, you may wish to combine features. For example: “This is the most compact, low power IoT device that can be connected using multiple communication protocols.”
Importantly, you must include facts and figures. If you claim low power, how many Watts are we talking? If you claim compact, what are the product’s dimensions? Most of the facts and figures you need will be present in the product’s datasheet or press release (if one was issued). However, whilst you should draw on these resources for technical accuracy, please do not simply copy and paste the entire datasheet or press release as your entire submission. Instead, supply them as supporting documentation. Also, what will really impress the judges is a testimonial from one of your customers. For instance, include a testimonial from a customer that is benefitting from using your product. Is it making them more productive and efficient, and therefore saving them money? Remember: Any product is just a means to end, so tell the judges what that is.
LET US HAVE THE FULL STORY I and the other judges will be reviewing many submissions. To really stand out you need to tell a compelling story. Personally, I favour submissions that start with a concise statement as to why the submission has been made. For
CHECKLIST
The first thing to do is to identify the best category for your product and to be clear on what it is the judges are looking for. Identify the key words.
As for your submission, you should:
Open with a simple statement (one that includes the key words from the category description) as to why your product should win the award category.
Focus on innovation and originality. Include evidence in the form of facts and figures.
Give examples of the impact your product is having (and ideally include a customer testimonial).
Tell a compelling story by recounting how problems were solved and how the product was the result of great teamwork.
Provide supporting information. Make sure your submission is clear, professional and error-free throughout.
instance: “We believe our product should win IoT Product of the Year, because it is the most compact, low power… etc”. The submission will then go on to provide the facts and figures to qualify the opening claim.
Also, as judges, we want to hear about the development of the product. What were the development challenges? What were the solutions? Did you invest in new design tools or manufacturing processes? In other words, even though the award might be acknowledging an innovative product, let us know what your
engineers did to make it all possible. If you have the opportunity to supply supporting information, please do so. It will help the judges decide between submissions that make equally compelling arguments for winning a particular category. On a personal note, use of the expression “close runner up” is well justified when it comes to industry awards. Over the years I have had to make many difficult calls, so taking that little extra effort with your submission will certainly help you stand out. It will help me too.
Lastly, keep your submission(s) professional and adhere to word count limits and anything else the awards organiser may have stipulated. And once you have drafted your submission, ask a colleague to proofread it for: accuracy; that it meets the judging criteria of the category; and that it is error-free. Better still, ask an independent third party to check your submission. This can be someone who knows your industry but not necessarily your company or products. Let them judge whether or not you have put forward a strong argument for winning an award.
SUMMARY
Entering awards should be a strategic part of your company’s marketing mix. Winning an award, or even being shortlisted, is good for business. Also, in making a submission you have nothing to lose but much to gain, so put the effort in and the reward could be an award. Entries close on 14th April. If you have not yet made your submission(s) you can do so at:
www.iandeawards.co.uk/enter.
Instrumentation Monthly March 2025 11
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