---
name: award-application
description: "Writes business award applications with narrative sections, metric evidence, and supporting documentation checklists. Use when applying for industry or business awards."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Award Application

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Write a business or industry award application with narrative responses
- Prepare supporting evidence and documentation for an award submission
- Craft compelling stories around business achievements for judging panels
- Compile metrics and milestones into a persuasive award entry

**DO NOT** use this skill for grant applications (different format), employee recognition write-ups, or academic award nominations. This is for business and industry awards only.

---

## Core Principle

AWARD JUDGES READ HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES — YOURS MUST LEAD WITH MEASURABLE RESULTS AND TELL A STORY THAT MAKES THE ACHIEVEMENT FEEL BOTH IMPRESSIVE AND INEVITABLE.

---

## Phase 1: Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Award name and category** | "What award are you applying for and which category?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Key achievement** | "What is the single biggest result or accomplishment to highlight?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Time period** | "What time period does this application cover?" | Last 12 months |
| **Metrics** | "What measurable results can you share? Revenue growth, customers served, impact numbers." | No default — ask for at least 3 metrics |
| **Business context** | "What challenge or starting point makes this achievement impressive?" | Small team / limited resources |
| **Word or page limits** | "Does the application have word limits or specific questions to answer?" | 500 words per section, 3 sections |

**GATE: Confirm the brief before drafting any narrative sections.**

---

## Phase 2: Structure

Map the application to the award's requirements. If specific questions are provided, organize around those. If not, use this default structure:

1. **Executive Summary** — 2-3 sentences capturing the achievement and its significance
2. **Challenge / Starting Point** — Context that makes the achievement impressive
3. **Approach / Strategy** — What the business did and why it was different
4. **Results / Impact** — Measurable outcomes with specific numbers
5. **Future Outlook** — How this achievement positions the business going forward
6. **Supporting Evidence** — Documentation checklist

### Evidence Inventory

Before writing, catalog available evidence:

```
## Evidence Inventory

- [ ] Revenue or growth figures (with timeframe)
- [ ] Customer count or retention metrics
- [ ] Media coverage or press mentions
- [ ] Testimonials or case studies
- [ ] Before/after comparisons
- [ ] Awards previously won
- [ ] Industry benchmarks for comparison
```

**GATE: Confirm structure and available evidence before writing.**

---

## Phase 3: Write

Draft each section following these rules:

- **Lead every section with the strongest data point.** Do not bury results at the end.
- **Use the CAR format:** Challenge, Action, Result. Every paragraph should follow this arc.
- **Quantify everything possible.** "Grew revenue" becomes "Grew revenue 340% from $120K to $528K in 14 months."
- **Benchmark against industry.** "Our 4.2% conversion rate is 3x the industry average of 1.4%."
- **Write in third person** unless the application specifically requests first person.
- **Stay within word limits.** If a section has a 500-word limit, target 480-495 words.

### Narrative Techniques

- **Contrast framing:** Show the before and after to amplify the achievement
- **Specificity over superlatives:** "Served 2,847 customers across 12 countries" beats "Served thousands globally"
- **Judge empathy:** Assume the judge has 5 minutes per entry. Front-load impact.

---

## Phase 4: Polish

### 1. Supporting Documentation Checklist

```
## Documentation Checklist

- [ ] Financial statements or revenue screenshots (redacted if needed)
- [ ] Customer testimonials (with permission to share)
- [ ] Press clips or media mentions
- [ ] Google Analytics or platform screenshots
- [ ] Team photos or event photos
- [ ] Letters of recommendation
- [ ] Previous award certificates
- [ ] Product screenshots or demo links
```

### 2. Submission Review

- Verify all word/character limits are met
- Confirm all required questions are answered
- Check that metrics are consistent across sections
- Ensure no confidential information is exposed without consent

### 3. Quality Checklist

```
## Application Quality Checklist

- [ ] Executive summary captures the achievement in 2-3 sentences
- [ ] Every section leads with a measurable result
- [ ] At least 5 specific metrics are cited across the application
- [ ] Industry benchmarks are used for context
- [ ] Challenge section establishes a compelling starting point
- [ ] No vague language ("significant growth," "many customers")
- [ ] Word limits are respected in every section
- [ ] Third-person voice used consistently
- [ ] Supporting evidence list is complete with sourcing notes
```

---

## Example

**Brief:**
- Award: Small Business of the Year, Local Chamber of Commerce
- Achievement: Grew from solo operation to 12 employees and $1.2M revenue in 18 months
- Metrics: 340% revenue growth, 98% client retention, 45 five-star reviews

**Executive summary excerpt:**
"In 18 months, [Business Name] grew from a solo consulting practice to a 12-person team generating $1.2M in annual revenue — a 340% increase. With a 98% client retention rate and 45 five-star reviews, the company has become the region's fastest-growing digital marketing firm while maintaining the service quality of a boutique agency."

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Burying the results** — judges skim. If your best metric is in paragraph four, they may never see it.
- **Vague superlatives** — "industry-leading," "best-in-class," and "world-class" mean nothing without numbers.
- **Ignoring the rubric** — if the award publishes judging criteria, structure your response to match it exactly.
- **Exceeding word limits** — judges penalize this. It signals you cannot follow instructions.
- **Modesty** — award applications are not the place for humility. State achievements directly and confidently.

---

## Recovery

- **Few hard metrics:** Use qualitative evidence — testimonials, before/after stories, media coverage. Frame the narrative around transformation rather than numbers.
- **No previous awards:** Emphasize the "underdog" angle. First-time applicants with strong results stand out.
- **Word limit too restrictive:** Prioritize results and approach. Cut background context first.
- **Multiple achievements compete:** Pick the single strongest thread and make supporting achievements reinforce it. Do not try to win on breadth.
