What makes for a great awards entry application? For those who want to enter our Family Wealth Report Awards - and many do - the judges give advice.

Judges for the Family Wealth Report series of awards have spelled out tips to firms and individuals putting their names forward for the 2021 awards program. 

Drawing on their experience in sifting through applications over recent years, judges explain what they look for in applicants and how entrants can make the strongest possible case for themselves. The awards program is designed to showcase excellence in the North American wealth sector, and how entrants put their case forward can often be very revealing about the qualities on display.

The FWR team really appreciates the effort applicants make, and wants to ensure that entrants give themselves a good opportunity to impress. As the world continues to wrestle with new working arrangements wrought by the global pandemic, often embracing new digital channels and ways of collaborating, these awards are designed to reflect the timeless qualities required for great wealth management. Below is a video segment in which judges explain their ideas. Below the video are several comments in text. Do please take time to absorb this information - make your submissions count!

Amanda Anderson, Chief Administration Officer, Ascent Private Capital Management of US Bank
What makes for a stand-out award submission?

When considering submissions, I look for a couple of key elements. First, the write-up should be very specific to the category and ideally not submitted in more than one category. Second, it should demonstrate how your firm’s development has added something new and relevant to the marketplace within the past year.

Are there any easy-to-apply tips that you could give to nominees? Be succinct, use data to drive your point home, and provide graphics and illustrations where possible. The submission process allows flexibility in the formatting and can accept images. Those firms which take advantage of this flexibility further demonstrates their understanding of how different audiences process information.

Buzz Bray, Principal, Bray Executive Search
What makes for a standout award submission? A submission that is thorough and well-presented, making a cogent case for why the firm or individual should be considered.

Susan Winer, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Strategic Philanthropy
What makes for a stand-out award submission? Not attempting to be too self-serving. This is not a PR opportunity. Too often all of the entries begin to sound alike. There needs to be a reason for the firm or person to be recognized and that isn’t always the lead in or developed sufficiently. When you can see that some real thought was put into the submission, an attempt to stand apart from the crowd, so to speak, then it is a stand-out.

Are there any easy to apply tips that you could give to nominees?

1. Be genuine. Amount of AUM is only important if it was achieved because of something you’ve done…strategy…perspective.
2. Think about what really differentiates you or your firm from others; not size, not number of employees, not new marketing materials. What makes you better, or worth considering for an award.
3. Proof-read your entry!!!!

The video is introduced by Adriana Zalucka, business development director at Family Wealth Report, and concluded by Stephen Harris, this publication's chief executive.