EP 34. Instant Credibility: Matt Alderton on the Audacious Power of Awards for Business Growth

In this insightful episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett welcomes Matt Alderton, a leading entrepreneur, business expert, and the visionary founder of BX Networking, one of the world's fastest-growing business networking and education organisations.  With a track record of running over a dozen six, seven, and eight-figure businesses and accumulating more than 40 industry awards, Matt brings a wealth of experience from every side of the business landscape. As the founder of the BX Awards and an awards judge himself (for prestigious programs like the Telstra Awards), Matt offers a unique 360-degree perspective on the invaluable role awards play in business growth. Matt's passion for small business stems from over two decades as an owner. He champions the profound impact small businesses have on the economy and individuals, from providing first jobs and training to fostering personal growth. His journey, which includes early ventures in retail and hospitality (and even a surprising family history in video stores!), evolved into a dedication to business education and growth through BX Networking. For Matt, awards are not just about winning; they are a strategic marketing tool. He recounts how being a finalist or a winner in awards programs instilled instant credibility and trust with potential clients, leading to rapid client acquisition. This external validation, he explains, functions much like an ‘as seen on’ badge from a major TV network, immediately building confidence and trust. Key Insights: View entering awards as a powerful marketing strategy for your business, regardless of the outcome. Awards provide immediate trust and credibility with potential clients, often accelerating the sales cycle. It’s not just about winning. Even being a finalist allows you to leverage the award program's logo for powerful positioning and marketing. The Tall Poppy Syndrome (and its upside) - While Australia's cultural tendency to downplay success exists, being recognised for your achievements here can make you stand out even more. BX Awards: A Coaching Session in Disguise! The structured multiple-choice and short-answer questions of the BX Awards provide a valuable benchmarking and strategy session for your business, helping you identify areas for improvement. While AI can be a useful tool for refining award answers (e.g., for conciseness or grammar), always review and "rehumanise" the content. Avoid simply copying and pasting AI-generated text, as judges can spot it. Matt's candidness about the "trophy" from a Subway conference - and how he got a photo of him holding the table centrepiece that, when shared on socials instantly elicited congratulatory messages from his network - humorously underscores his point: perception is powerful, and leveraging the association with an awards program is key. He also touches on the elephant in the room - AI and its role in award submissions. While he advocates for using AI to refine answers, he cautions against lazy reliance, urging entrants to read and personalise and edit any AI-generated content. Looking ahead, Matt envisions BX continuing its mission to empower business owners through education and networking, particularly through its comprehensive Diamond membership. His ultimate passion is to significantly reduce the high failure rate in small businesses by providing the tools and knowledge for sustained success, whether a business aims for solid six-figures or ambitious seven and eight-figure growth. Connect with Matt Alderton and BX Networking: Ready to gain instant credibility and accelerate your business growth? Don't shy away from recognition. Embrace the audacious act of celebrating your success and watch your business thrive! Explore the opportunities offered by BX Networking and the BX Awards. https://bxnetworking.com/au/international-business-xcellence-awards https://bxnetworking.com/ https://mattalderton.com.au/