The session prepares you for Zoom judging with a clear 15-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A: confirm your category date, arrive early, use PowerPoint/Google Slides to stay linear, keep any video to ~1 minute, rehearse to time, and structure with “tell them / tell them / tell them what you told them.” A downloadable checklist is provided.
Judges have read your nomination; you can add confidential evidence. You’ll be scored on performance/results, ethics & values, and what makes you different, so evidence claims with data (quantitative) and human impact (qualitative), and be ready for follow-ups on clarity, lessons learned, and what you’d do differently. Panels are three judges (one lead) with a roaming Head Judge for QA.
What you’ll learn
- Plan with precision: Know your category’s slot; judging is 15 mins presenting + 15 mins Q&A on Zoom.
- Choose simple tools: PowerPoint/Google Slides keep you on track; if used, keep video to ~1 minute (e.g., a testimonial).
- Build winning content: Lead with outcomes, back claims with data (quantitative) and human impact (qualitative).
- Present with confidence: Clear open → evidence-rich middle → concise close (“tell them / tell them / tell them what you told them”)
About Donna O’Toole:
Donna O’Toole is an internationally recognised awards expert, Founder of August Recognition.
Named a Top 25 CX Influencer and honoured for her contribution to awards judging, Donna has helped entrepreneurs, disruptors, global brands and household names win the most prestigious awards in the world — from the King’s Awards for Enterprise to international programmes like the Stevies, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, the LPI Learning Awards, and the International Customer Experience Awards.
With decades of experience, Donna and her team craft winning strategies, award entries and presentations that deliver powerful recognition, industry authority, and real business growth. Her work has also supported leaders and changemakers in achieving personal honours, from MBEs to knighthoods.
Awards Night
Join us at the National Sales Awards on 13 November in Birmingham — secure your place: https://nsconference.co.uk/national-sales-awards
