HOW TO Apply

Helpful Tips

The financials including the export financials are important but are not the only criteria.
It is essential that the application tells the export story, realistically and yet interestingly, of how your company has broken into and built up sustainable overseas markets.
The export awards are highly prestigious and are extremely competitive.

Market your company in your application by highlighting your strengths, illustrating just how innovative and special your achievements have been.
If you have been exporting for several years ensure that your application demonstrates what you have done differently to consolidate and grow your position in the past year, eg new markets, new technologies, focused marketing strategy etc.

The judges will base their decisions on the information contained in the applications.
Do not assume that the judges are aware of your company, its products and successes.
Explain in non technical terms what your products or services are.
You need to tell your story in no more than 1600 words, so make every word count.
Dot points can be utilised as appropriate to identify your key strengths and strategies.
Outline your international competitive advantage and your firm’s export aspirations and strategies, before moving on to look at your activities in particular markets.

Explain your firm’s strategy in gaining a secure foothold in a new market.
In your key markets, what did you do to secure international contracts and market acceptance? What actions did you take e.g.– product adaptation to meet customer preferences, building relationships with distributors and buyers, addressing cultural issues in marketing materials and products, attending trade events etc, and techniques to overcoming buyer resistance.
Identify the key factors that you consider made your firm a successful exporter.
For companies that have applied previously, and possibly won, it is important to clearly detail what has been achieved since your most recent success in the Awards, i.e. new marketing strategies, entering new markets, introduction of new technology, new products etc.
Special emphasis should be made on the contribution of innovation (for eg. Marketing strategies, new technologies etc) in achieving export success.

Help the judges follow your road to export success. Identify the significant landmarks – e.g. “In 2004/05 we broke into the Singapore market for the first time.”
Make very clear what have been your most outstanding export achievements - e.g. “Last year we became the first company to sell Australian - made watches into Switzerland.”

Judges always reserve the right to determine the category of award you best belong in, normally they will adopt your stated preference.
Where there is an industry-specific category that clearly relates to your business, e.g. agribusiness or education, then you should select that category. Where there is not, you should apply under the relevant generic category, e.g. Small Business, Small to Medium Manufacturer or Large Advanced Manufacturer Award categories.
If you have been exporting for no more than three years (based on financial year) you will be considered for the Emerging Exporter Award.
If your head office is based in a non-metropolitan location you will be eligible for the Regional Exporter of the Year Award.

When you have written your application, get somebody from outside of your company to read it through so as to ensure that it is fully understandable to anyone lacking an in-house knowledge of your firm’s operations.