I can’t believe I’m writing this blog and it’s that time of year again. Summer has ended and pretty soon the holiday season will be upon us (11 weeks until Christmas, BTW). But in all actuality I love this time of year for a few reasons—football, hot cider, and exciting things at work. Yes, work. This time each year I get to begin collecting and reading the nominations for Automatic Merchandiser’s industry leadership awards.
In years past we highlighted industry members in vending, OCS and micro markets with our Readers’ Choice People of the Year Award where five industry members were brought front and center for their outstanding contributions to the industry. But what we realized was that people can no longer be separated into five different categories in this industry—it’s simply too diverse and changing. And there are so many amazing people doing innovative things. So last year we revamped our industry leadership recognition award and created the Pros to Know Awards.
This award, in its second year, recognizes vending, micro market and office coffee service industry professionals who are leading initiatives to help prepare their company, organization and the industry for the significant challenges of today's business climate. The great thing about our new-ish award is that it not only highlights individuals, it also recognizes group achievements – and we name different people each year.
Calling for new nominees
So whether you’re an operator, a general or warehouse manager, a warehouse team, a supplier or manufacturer representative or group…no matter your role in the industry…we want to hear what you and/or your team have done this year to move our industry forward.
Still not convinced? Here are three reasons why I think you should consider putting in a nomination to become a 2015 Pro to Know:
1. You are the best at what you do
Have you or your team members worked hard to implement changes within your organization that have positively impacted business this year? Do you consider yourself better than your competition? (I hope so!) Don’t feel bashful about being recognized as an industry leader—prove to us that you’re the best at what you do…and why.
2. It can boost employee morale
A study by Accenture reported that 43 percent (nearly half!) of the workforce cited ‘lack of recognition’ as the reason for their unhappiness. If you have an employee who goes above and beyond but keeps their head down, then it’s time to show them that you appreciate the work they do. Don’t let great talent go unnoticed!
3. Industry recognition
All nominees chosen to be a Pro to Know will appear in the December issue of Automatic Merchandiser, read by more than 13,000 people. That means that thousands of people will see your face and name and read about how YOU are shaping the industry.
There’s no better time than the present to nominate yourself, a colleague or your team to become a 2015 Pro to Know. The deadline is Nov. 2 so Nominate Now and Nominate here!
Adrienne Klein | Contributing Editor
Adrienne Zimmer Klein is a freelance writer with a background in the vending, micro market and office coffee service industry. She worked as an associate editor and managing editor at Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com from 2013 until 2017. She is a regular contributing writer at Automatic Merchandiser.
