Your workplace award is more than just recognition. It’s a statement. 

Winning a workplace award is an exciting achievement! It validates the hard work of your team, acknowledges your company’s commitment to its employees, and sets you apart from competitors. But what happens after the celebration ends? How do you ensure your award is more than just a designation and instead becomes a meaningful asset to your organization?

A workplace award isn’t just a trophy—it’s a powerful signal to job seekers, employees, clients, and business partners that your company prioritizes its people, supports a thriving culture and invests in employee success. If you’ve earned one (or are thinking about applying), here’s how to make the most of that recognition. 

What Your Award Means to Job Seekers

Job seekers today aren’t just looking for a paycheck; they’re looking for a workplace where they feel valued, supported, and fulfilled. Workplace awards provide instant credibility, serving as a beacon for top talent.

When candidates see that your company has been named a best workplace, such as “Best Place to Work”, “Top Workplace,” or another reputable award, it reassures them that employees genuinely enjoy working there. That makes a difference in competitive hiring markets where job seekers are weighing their options. A workplace award can tip the scales in your favor, drawing in candidates who align with your culture and values.

To maximize this impact, incorporate the award into your recruitment strategy. Feature it on your careers page, mention it in job postings, and encourage employees to share their workplace experiences on social media. If your organization has a referral program, this distinction is sure to be a highlight. 

Winning an award is commendable. Leverage it in a way so that employees, job seekers and business partners see the culture that earned this recognition. 

Customer and Business Partner View on Workplace Awards

Your award doesn’t just speak to job seekers, it also enhances your reputation in the business world. Organizations that prioritize employee experience tend to operate more efficiently, retain top talent, and build stronger, more reliable relationships with customers and partners.

Clients prefer working with companies that have engaged, motivated employees, as it often translates to better service and stronger collaboration. They can see in your relationship with them that your employees are supported and committed to their work. Clients and investors view award-winning workplaces as forward-thinking organizations that value innovation and long-term growth. By highlighting your award in proposals, presentations, and marketing materials, you reinforce the credibility and commitment of your business.

More Than Just a Plaque on the Wall

Winning a workplace award is an achievement, but it should also serve as a springboard for continuous improvement. Employees feel a sense of pride in working for an award-winning company, but if that pride isn’t nurtured, the excitement fades. The organizations that truly benefit from their recognition are the ones that apply it towards reinforcing engagement.

Recognizing employees for their contributions, continuous two-way communication with your teams to discuss what makes the workplace great, and inviting employee feedback on how to sustain and enhance the culture are all ways to keep the momentum going. If your organization is serious about retaining its award-winning status, all levels of leadership must remain committed to listening, improving, and evolving based on employee feedback.

Sustaining an award-winning culture starts with understanding what employees value most. Gathering meaningful employee engagement insights can help identify what’s working, what needs improvement, and how to maintain the momentum. To learn more, check out our blog: Leadership Role in Employee Engagement and Creating Award-Winning Workplaces.

Making Your Award Work for You

Winning an award is one thing, using it effectively is another. Here are ways to ensure your trophy doesn’t just sit on a shelf collecting dust, and your recognition isn’t pushed down on your list of priorities:

• Update your marketing materials: Add the award logo to your website, brochures, email signatures, and LinkedIn company page.
• Celebrate with your employees: Host an internal event to celebrate, or better yet, ask your employees to get involved to commemorate the achievement.
• Use it in recruitment: Mention the award in job postings, employee testimonials, and social media campaigns.
• Share the story: Showcase what makes your workplace award-winning by featuring it on your careers page, displaying the award badge, and sharing testimonials.
• Commit to ongoing improvements: The practices that earned the award should be continuously evaluated and refined to elevate engagement and excellence.

More Than a Trophy

At the end of the day, a workplace award is not just a title—it’s a reflection of the people, values, and culture that make your organization exceptional. It’s not about the trophy on the shelf, but about what that trophy represents: a team that thrives, a culture that supports, and a workplace where people genuinely want to be.

If the goal was simply to win an award, the journey would end with the announcement. But for truly great workplaces, earning recognition is a milestone on a continuous path of growth and improvement. The most successful organizations don’t just chase awards—they chase excellence in how they treat their employees, support their teams, and evolve their cultures.

So, go beyond the trophy. Let the award be a starting point, not the finish line. Make it more than a trophy—make it a symbol of your ongoing investment in your people. 🎉

Winning a workplace award is just the beginning. To keep your award-winning culture strong, it’s important to stay intentional about what makes your workplace great. If you’d like to learn more about the long-term benefits of becoming (and staying) an award-winning workplace, check out 6 Perks to Becoming an Award-Winning Workplace.