May 18, 2012

Lost for words? Five novel ways to beat writer’s block

Fountain pen

Getting examples of your knowledge out into the public sphere is a great way to raise your profile and prove that you understand your industry. Whether you write a blog, place articles in the media, or even pen a book, you can be sure that one day, without warning, you’ll suffer from the dreaded writer’s block.

Faced with this malady, some scour the internet for ideas to inspire them, while others head to the shops or water cooler, hoping a distraction will allow their next brainwave to come naturally. But sometimes, these methods just don’t work.

The next time you find yourself staring at a blank screen, bereft of inspiration, these five questions should help get you writing once again:

  1. When was the last time a client asked you a question about what you are doing for them or how you do it? Keep a note of these questions to create a ready list of article topics to dip into.
  2. What are the most common misconceptions about the kind of services you offer? Posts that make a complicated industry easily understood can be very popular, and will also put potential clients at ease.
  3. For each of the services you offer, there’s usually a line between DIY and calling in the professionals. Can you define that line, and what advice can you give DIYers?
  4. Do you subscribe to industry news sources to keep up with events and legislation affecting what you do? Translate these into layman’s terms to create useful news snippets for your readers.
  5. Are there others within your business with a related but different skill set or knowledge base? Make the most of the rich resources around you by inviting staff to contribute ideas, anecdotes or even full articles.

So, would these ideas work for you? What do you do when your creativity takes an unscheduled vacation?

Do you stand out in the forest of Nottinghamshire businesses?

plant growth

If your Nottinghamshire-based organisation has had a positive impact on society, is a successful new business or is delivering new standards in customer service, you should consider entering the Mansfield Business Awards 2010.

The awards recognise private and public sector organisations that are able to demonstrate outstanding performance in their operational activities.

To qualify for entry, applicants must be based within Nottinghamshire, or be a member of Mansfield 2020.

There are 5 categories available to enter:

  • The Community Award
  • Best New Business Award
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
  • Best Retailer Customer Focus Initiative
  • Business of the Year Award

All entries shortlisted for other categories will automatically be considered for the overall Business of the Year Award.

There is a maximum of two entries per organisation or individual, and the closing date for applications is Friday 19th February 2010. Entry is free and the awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 10th March 2010.

To enter, or for further information, visit the Mansfield Business Awards.

Mum’s the word!

footprints

Running your own business is a challenge for anyone, but balancing motherhood with your professional life is even more demanding. If you are a mum running your own business in the UK, you should consider attending this year’s Mumpreneur Conference and Awards

The conference allows mums in business to get together and celebrate their business achievements whilst attending a variety of seminars.

For the awards programme, there are eight categories open for entry this year:

  • Best Start-Up
  • Best Online Business
  • Best Business Support
  • Best Green Business
  • Best Saleswoman
  • Best Interactive Business
  • Most Unique Product
  • The Inspirational Business Mum

All entrants shortlisted for any award category will additionally be considered for The Inspirational Business Mum Award.

There are no restrictions on the size of your business. Entry requirements simply demand that all applicants be mums, running their own businesses in the UK. The closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 2nd August 2010.

The conference and awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 18th September 2010 at the Heart of England Conference Centre.

Tickets are priced at £20 each, which includes entry to the conference and awards ceremony and admittance to three of the seminars.

To book tickets, to apply for the awards or for more information, visit The Mumpreneur Conference and Awards 2010.

Are you the cream of the crop?

star

Have you got what it takes to be the best of the best? If you’ve won an award for business excellence within the past twelve months and are looking for further ways to boost the profile of your organisation, The Creme de la Creme Business Awards could be for you.

The awards recognise the very best in business excellence, and will judge your organisation on four key factors:

  • Quality
  • Success
  • Customer Service
  • Innovation

Winning the award has numerous benefits. Aside from the media exposure successful entrants will enjoy, winners will also be invited to attend an exclusive lunch at the Ritz in London.

To be eligible for entry, applicants must have already won a recognised award for the category applied for within the past twelve months. Application is open on an international level, for private, public and third sector organisations.

The entry fee is £160 plus VAT and the closing date for applications is 31st March 2010. To apply, or for more information, visit The Creme de la Creme Business Awards.

Are you the best south of the river?

Tick Boxes

The vast metropolis of London is a highly competitive place to do business. Does your company have what it takes to stand out from the crowd? If your business is located in one of the twelve boroughs of London south of the River Thames, get your entry in for The South London Business Awards 2010.

There are eleven categories open for entry this year:

  • Best Small Business
  • Best Medium-Sized Business
  • Best Large Business
  • Best Business for Customer Service
  • Best Business for Innovation
  • Best Business for International Trade
  • Best Business for Training and Development
  • Best Business for Marketing
  • Best Business for Sustainability
  • Best New Business
  • Enterpreneur of the Year

The awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 19th May at a gala dinner in Selhurst Park Stadium. Individual places can be booked for £85 plus VAT, or tables for ten are available for £750 plus VAT. The closing date for applications is Friday 19th February (5pm).

To apply, or for more information, visit South London Business Awards.

Got your entry in for The Best Business Awards?

International

Are you looking for a way to stand out from the crowd? Aim high and gain the prestige you deserve by entering your business for The Best Business Awards.

Open on an international level, these awards recognise private, public and third sector organisations who excel in their corporate activities. Whether you’re a major international PLC, a small private SME or a local PCT, there’s a category for you.

There are ten categories open to private sector organisations:

  • Best Marketing
  • Best Innovation
  • Best Employer
  • Best Strategic Design/Creative
  • Best Customer Focus
  • Best Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Best New Product/Service
  • Best Product/Service Range
  • Best Small to Medium Size Business
  • Outstanding Personal Achievement

There are a further twelve categories open to public sector organisations

  • Best Health and Safety
  • Best Information Technology
  • Best Employer
  • Best Procurement
  • Best Communication
  • Outstanding Personal Achievement
  • Best Local Authority
  • Best Fire and Rescue Service
  • Best Police Service
  • Best NHS Provider or Commissioner
  • Best Further & Higher Education Provider
  • Best Housing Association

Categories are awarded during four rounds throughout the year, with applications for the next round closing on 31st January 2010. Winners are announced within one month of the closure for applications and will hold the award title for one year.

Entry fees are £150 plus VAT per category entered. The other rounds this year will be held in April, July and October, with applications for each round closing on the last working day of the respective month.

To enter, or for more information visit The Best Business Awards

Local authorities making an impact

clouded blue sky

The deadline is rapidly approaching for local authorities who have made a real difference to get their entries in to The MJ Achievement Awards 2010.

There are 14 categories to enter this year:

  • Best Achieving Council
  • Best Achievement of the Year in Children’s Services
  • Excellence in Democratic Services Achievement of the Year
  • Sustainable Infrastructure Achievement of the Year
  • Best Achievement of the Year in Housing and Regeneration
  • Total Place Achievement of the Year
  • Environmental Innovation in Waste Collection Achievement of the Year
  • Reducing Health Inequalities Achievement of the Year
  • Councillor Development Achievement of the Year
  • Public Protection Achievement of the Year
  • Most Effective Political Team of the Year
  • People and Workforce Development Achievement of the Year
  • Public Private Partnership Achievement of the Year
  • Diversity Achievement of the Year

Applications are open to all local authorities accross the UK and Northern Ireland and the closing date is Friday 22nd January.
Entry is free.

Entrants who make it onto the shortlist will be informed of their success in March, and the awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 25th June at The Hilton in Park Lane, London.

To enter, or for more information on individual categories, visit The MJ Achievement Awards 2010.

Have you heard of the Global Business Excellence Awards?

global map

The Global Business Excellence Awards look to highlight the work of public or private sector businesses who are giving themselves an edge over their competitors through excellence and innovation.

Awards are given on a monthly basis, with a submission deadline set on the final working day of every month. Judging and notification of winners then takes place in two weeks at the beginning of the each month. These winners retain their title for twelve months.

Entries must include a thousand word written description of the organisation’s work and how this allows it to stand out from its competitors. There are no constraints on the type, field, size or location of businesses wishing to enter, and it is not necessary to be trading internationally in order to qualify.

Entry to the Global Business Excellence Awards costs £150 + VAT, payable by cheque or BACS.

For further information, visit the Global Business Excellence Awards.

Have you got your entry in for the Business Continuity Awards 2010?

warning signs

If you believe your company excels in its operational risk management and deserves a plaudit as a leader in the field, you should consider entering the Business Continuity Awards 2010.

There are 19 categories available this year:

  • Business Continuity Manager of the Year
  • Industry Newcomer of the Year
  • Industry Personality of the Year
  • Business Continuity Consultant of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Business Continuity Initiative of the Year
  • Business Continuity Team of the Year
  • Business Continuity Strategy of the Year
  • Crisis Strategy of the Year
  • Most Effective Recovery of the Year
  • Excellence in Business Continuity in the Insurance Industry
  • Business Continuity Management Planning Software of the Year
  • Student of the Year
  • Specialist Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Company of the Year
  • Most Innovative Product of the Year
  • Most Innovative Solution of the Year
  • Business Continuity Service Provider of the Year
  • Public Sector Continuity Manager of the Year
  • Excellence in Infrastructure Management

The deadline for submission is 12th February 2010 (via the website, post or email), and the awards are open to companies worldwide.

Visit the Business Continuity Awards for further information.

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