UNIVATOR Awards! Submitting your own works for consideration, or nominating another?

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UNIVATOR Awards! Submitting your own works for consideration, or nominating another?

Written by Jackie Rosselli

Monday, 02 November 2009 09:17

Over the past several weeks, we've received numerous emails seeking advice on entering this year's UNIVATOR Awards. Readers want a better understanding of the categories, with an explanation of which fits their company best.

To clear up any ambiguity, we've listed the categories below, describing each and offering suggestions based on whether a company manufactures or distributes uniforms for end use. Some categories, it seems, are better suited for manufacturers while others are perfect for store owners. Still others work for everyone.

But please note: these are recommendations; you are free to enter the category of your choosing. No matter the category, with so many possibilities, there's a good chance you'll walk away a winner:

Manufacturers:

Product Innovation – While some bunkered down to ride out the recession, many instead took a proactive stance, introducing products and increasing visibility in preparation for economic recovery. Have you come out with a new pant, developed a never-before-seen product or line that is all the rage in your market space? Toot your own horn by entering UNIVATOR.

Fabric Innovation – Poly-rayon, organic cotton, fabrics with stretch – the possibilities are endless in today's uniform market. What fabrics have you successfully incorporated into garments for end use? Do the fabrics achieve the desired result?

Innovations in Product Safety – From Anti-microbial apparel to FR to body armor, it's been a year filled with product improvements that safeguard the end user from harm. We've reported on many in UMNM, now grab further acclaim by winning a UNIVATOR.

Retailers:

Store redesign – As customers demand a more pleasurable shopping experience, an attractive, appealing interior design can help close the sale. Has your store been given a face lift this year? Did you add accent lighting, reconfigure displays or utilize signage to enhance the encounter? If so, we'd like to hear from you.

Store holiday campaigns – Have you stocked your store with holiday items that left customers clamoring for more? Did your holiday campaign boost sales? Which promotions worked best?

Use of in-store technology – Are you better able to track inventory? Has a new in-house system streamlined your costs while fattening your profits? Have you increased the speed and accuracy at POS through the use of new technology? While the technology may no longer sound innovative, its implementation certainly can be.

Industry-wide:

Eco-friendly Products - Products and services that are environmentally friendly are hot right now. Have you created an eco-friendly end user program or line? Have you made an attempt to go green with a service? Have you reduced your carbon footprint at the office?

Creation/Extension of Product Line – Did you enhance an existing line, creating buzz in the process? Have you created an entirely new line you hadn't offered before? Did you enter a new market segment? What were the results?

Customer Service – Retailers: How would your customers rate you? Manufacturers: What services do you provide to the retailer to enhance his business? In a business that lives or dies on how it treats customers, exemplary service is expected. How does your company measure up? Do you meet - or exceed - expectations? Have you ramped-up tactics during the economic downturn with positive results? If so, we want to hear from you.

Website Design and eCommerce - Have you recently redesigned your website, making it truly user-friendly? Has the addition of e-commerce capabilities added to your bottom line? Has your web presence increased the company's visibility?

Program design and implementation - Have you produced or sold an end user program which reinforces the brand or takes the market in a new direction? Have you enhanced your customers' image by creating a suitable, identifiable look? Have you brought non-traditional wearers into the uniform marketplace?

Marketing & Public Relations - Do you have a public relations program by which you measure success? Have you produced an in-store campaign which has driven sales? Have you effectively used social media to communicate with customers? How have you measured your overall ROI?

Innovative collaborative effort – Have your partnered with a firm from within or outside the industry? What were the results?

Something else UNIVATOR should know about – Did we leave out your innovation? Then tell us about it! The UNIVATOR Awards honor the leading ideas, creations, services and innovators which have influenced the industry over the past year, so if we missed something, let us know.

How to enter:

Any company within the North-American uniform, medical or corporate apparel industries, regardless of size, is eligible to enter UNIVATOR. Companies can submit their own works for consideration, or nominate another for an award. If you choose the latter, simply mark the "Readers' Choice," category on the entry form, supply a few details and the staff at UniformMarket will take care of the rest. It takes little effort to enter the UNIVATOR Awards – just complete an entry form and send the appropriate supporting materials to UniformMarket. Deadline for entries is Friday, January 8, 2010.

Learn more about UNIVATOR by reading our past articles:
• 2010 UNIVATOR Awards: Why Awards Matter
• UniformMarket News Invites Entries for 2010 UNIVATOR Awards

Next month, we'll take a look at the marketing and publicity opportunities that exist for a UNIVATOR winner. In the meantime, start mulling over your picks. Should you have any questions or need help with the entry process, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 March 2011 09:04

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