2008 ALARM Annual Awards FAQ

 


You’ve achieved great things and you think you could be eligible for an ALARM Award...but how to go about winning one? Your first step is to read the following advice, compiled by experienced Awards judges and the scheme’s organisers, to help you submit an exemplary entry

 

Q1. I always mean to apply but then run out of time. How can I ensure I meet the deadline?

Q2. How do I apply?

Q3. I am not sure what category my entry best fits

Q4. I am interested in applying for the Risk Manager of the Year Award. What form should my application take?

Q5. What is the most common error made by those entering the Annual Awards Scheme?

Q6. I submitted an entry last year but was not shortlisted. Can I enter the same initiative again?

Q7. What about the format and length of submissions? I have a lot to explain and lots of supporting evidence.

Q8.  I need to have the application form endorsed by a Manager, this means I have to post an entry and reduces the submission time. What if it gets lost in the post?

Q9. What is the process for judging?

Q10. I know some categories have not been awarded in previous years. If my category gets cancelled, will I automatically be entered into another category?

Q11. Where can I get help in preparing my submission?

Q12. When will I know if I have been shortlisted for an Award?

 


Q1. I always mean to apply but then run out of time.  How can I ensure I meet the deadline?


A.  Although we publish the application form in February, we recognise that well intended but busy individuals can sometime overlook the deadline. We will remind you regularly about the awards via our regular e- mail alerts. You can also pre-register your intention to submit an entry by e-mailing awards@alarm-uk.org, stating your intention and the category you are interested in. The admin office will then make regular contact with you to check if you need assistance or support and to remind you of the deadline. This pre registration will also assist us in managing the judging process.


Q2. How do I apply?


A. Please carefully read the following advice on how to make the most of your entry to the Awards and the terms and conditions of entry set out in the Awards brochure. You should have received a copy of the Awards brochure, containing the entry form, through the post but you can download additional copies here.


When you have chosen which category you are entering, tell us about your project or initiative, and answer the questions below, on no more than six sides of A4. Return your entry, together with the entry form, to us by email, fax or post no later than 5pm on 30th April 2008.
Please remember to get your application endorsed by your Head of Department or Line Manager. In the case of entries for the Risk Manager of the Year Award, you should also obtain advance approval to undertake the ambassadorial role involved in the prize trip to the 2009 PRIMA Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas and permission to host the PRIMA International Exchange winner.


Q3. I am not sure what category my entry best fits.


A. Firstly, look at the description of the Award, as shown under each category heading. Think about where your project or initiative has evidence of most impact:

  • Significantly improving the management of risks to any group of people of staff whom the organisation comes into contact with (People Risk category)?
  • Improving the management of risks associated with any asset of the organisation, excluding people risks (Asset Risk category)?
  • An improvement to, or introduction of, systems to manage risks that staff encounter in the day-to-day operations of the organisation (Operational Risk category)?
  • Significantly contributing to the achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives (Strategic Risk category)?

Irrespective of category, entries are judged on five criteria:

  • A clear need for the initiative – why was the initiative required and what risk was addressed?
    The approach taken – how did you approach the problem and why did you take the chosen approach?
  • Evidence of innovation- what was innovative about the approach you adopted?
  • Evidence of partnership working – can you provide evidence of working in partnership, collaboration or consultation with others? Were you able to convince others of the benefits of a risk management approach?
  • Evidence of impact – what was the measurable impact of your initiative, either qualitative or quantitative, and what are the prospects of continued value or benefits going forward?

Use the judging criteria above to help you draw up a quick list of the key attributes of your project that might fit under each section. Remember, the judges are looking for evidence of innovation and tangible benefits, and you might find it easier to demonstrate this in relation to one Awards category compared to another.


Q4. I am interested in applying for the Risk Manager of the Year Award. What form should my application take?


A. Applications for Risk Manager of the Year (RMoY) are subject to criteria different from those for the People, Asset, Operational and Strategic Risk categories. For RMoY, the judges are looking to identify the “aspiration, inspiration, and enthusiasm of individuals in promoting and supporting risk management”. This involves a demonstration of how you have helped to evolve the role of risk management both within and external to your employing organisation. Any evidence of innovation and improvement of the perception or profile of risk management should also be included.


You will, therefore, want to include information on your role and achievements at work, any involvement you have had in ALARM or other risk management related groups/ committees, presentations you have given, articles you have written, supporting statements from your employer, and any other evidence to show why you deserve the title ‘ALARM Risk Manager of the Year 2008’.


Q5. What is the most common error made by those entering the Annual Awards Scheme?


A. The most common mistake is not reading the instructions thoroughly. Many applications fail to address the five judging criteria listed above. Just bear in mind the judge’s mark against the same criteria; if you don’t clearly address one of them, you will not gain the marks for this section, placing your entry at a disadvantage.


Other applications have struggled to evidence “partnership” working. Bear in mind that this is not necessarily about formal partnership arrangement, but about your work in consulting and collaborating with others and convincing them of the benefits of risk management solutions. It’s about winning hearts and minds.


Other excellent applications lose out in demonstrating the impact of initiatives.  In some cases, the initiative is in too early a stage of implementation to be able to show meaningful evidence of any impact.


Q6. I submitted an entry last year but was not shortlisted. Can I enter the same initiative again?


A.
If your initiative is now more fully developed and there is clear evidence of measureable impact, you are encouraged to re-enter. Make sure that you format your entry to meet the five judging criteria as well as the recommended font style and length of submission. You should also note that the format requirements have changed this year and you can now submit extra pages. (See below)


Q7. What about the format and length of submissions, I have a lot to explain and lots of supporting evidence


A .  We have reviewed the amount you can submit this year, as a direct response to feedback last year. You can now submit six sides of A4, (note the font size and spacing requirements), as well as an executive summary.  Please note the executive summary is extremely important to the judges and should not be overlooked.


 As supporting evidence can be voluminous, you may append a list of supporting documents should you wish, but please do not submit them unless they are requested as part of the short listing process.


Q8.  I need to have the application form endorsed by a Manager, this means I have to post an entry and reduces the submission time. What if it gets lost in the post?


A. We would recommend all entries are submitted electronically to awards@alarm-uk.org. Once received electronically, we will acknowledge the submission, confirming its receipt. If you do not receive confirmation, then you should contact the ALARM Admin Office. The closing date for electronic submission is 5 pm on 30th April, and endorsed, signed application forms can be forwarded in support of the submission until Tuesday 6th May. However any entries without the requisite signed endorsement will be withdrawn.


Q9. What is the process for judging?


A. Judging of the Awards is a two-stage process. All the entries in each category are independently assessed by a panel of judges (one panel for each category). Each assessor grades the entry, based on each of the five criteria and the total marks are averaged out to produce a ranked shortlist.  These assessors are drawn from a peer group of experienced risk professionals.


The short listed entries are then assessed by a second panel of specialist judges and, again, grades are independently allocated against each of the five criteria and the total marks averaged out to produce a ranked list of the winning and highly commended entries.


If there is a no clear winner from the judges scoring, or if entries are tied at either stage of judging, judges will discuss their assessments to reach a consensus.


Q10. I know some categories have not been awarded in previous years. If my category gets cancelled, will I automatically be entered into another category?


A. Any decision to suspend a category in the Awards is taken reluctantly and only when the judges decide that none of the entries are effectively fulfilling all the criteria. Such decisions, whilst not taken lightly, are in the best interests of maintaining the credibility and integrity of the Awards. Your entry will not be entered into an alternative category, but you can request feedback on improving your entry in future years’ Awards.

 

Q11. Where can I get help in preparing my submission?


A.  The Admin Office will advise you of any problems with your application in terms of format.  We will post previous successful applications on the web site by the end of February, creating a useful resource. If you need guidance or comment on a draft submission, Carolyn Halpin, the Awards Co-ordinator will be happy to assist. Carolyn can be contacted via the ALARM Admin Office at awards@alarm-uk.org.


Q12. When will I know if I have been shortlisted for an Award?


A. We aim to notify shortlisted applicants by the end of May.  We would hope all short listed candidates will be able to attend the Awards Dinner, and participate in the Awards ceremony, the post-ceremony champagne reception and photography session.