Winning Awards with Donna O'Toole
Join award-winning entrepreneur and awards expert Donna O’Toole as she reveals everything you need to know about winning awards. In honest and open interviews with award winners, judges, and the organisers behind the world's most loved awards, Donna reveals how to raise your profile with real-life awards stories, the latest awards trends, the do’s and don’ts of entering awards, what makes a winner, and more! Discover how the awards industry has reacted to the challenges of the pandemic, and find out what to expect as we head into a new era of awards and recognition so that you have the best chance of becoming a winner.As the founder of August Recognition, she has helped hundreds of businesses, brands, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the world to raise their profile by winning awards and achieving outstanding recognition for their achievements. Named one of the world’s top 25 Customer Experience Influencers, and recognised for her outstanding contribution to national and international awards judging, Donna is known for her unrivalled success rate in the most prestigious industry awards in the world, including The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, UK and International Customer Experience Awards, ScaleUp Awards to name a few. Donna's work has resulted in some of the most accomplished entrepreneurs, business leaders, VIPs, and charity champions receiving personal recognition (MBE to knighthood) from Her Majesty The Queen via the honours system, as well as major industry leadership awards. If you want to become the Key Person of Influence or leading brand in your sector, it's time to stop waiting and start winning!
Episodes
28 episodes
Ep 28: Launching my inspirational new book: WIN! - with DONNA O'TOOLE.
This episode introduces Donna's new book 'WIN!' and explains the inspiration behind this must-have guide to winning awards for all entrepreneurs. Find out how recognition could help you achieve your true potential and discover the benef...
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Episode 28
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10:08
Ep 27: Delving into the New Year Honours List and advice on how to make a nomination - with DONNA O'TOOLE.
In this insightful episode, Donna talks about the New Year Honours List and looks at how diversity has grown in recent years, with recipients from all walks of life, backgrounds and ethnic groups.Learn more about who was honoured this y...
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Episode 27
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14:22
Ep 26: Discover how winning awards can grow your personal and business profile - with ANTOINETTE OGLETHORPE.
In this episode, Donna is joined by Antoinette Oglethorpe - a multi-award-winning consultant, coach, speaker and author who specialises in career management and mentoring.She has created unique models, tools and templates to empower emp...
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Episode 26
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25:45
Ep 25: Becoming an award-winning Key Person of Influence - with 2021 Agency Awards Winner, GEZ MCGUIRE.
In this episode, Donna is joined by Gez McGuire - an award-winning digital marketer and international marketing awards judge with over 20 years' experience in marketing. Gez is now working at the forefront of blending AI adoption a...
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Episode 25
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22:32
Ep 24: Everything you need to know about Customer Experience and Business & Innovation Awards in 2021/22 - with NEIL SKEHEL, CEO Awards International.
Neil Skehel is the CEO of Awards International, an international awards organiser with 12 programmes around the world including in Europe, the Middle East and the UK. I’ve asked Neil to join me on the podcast today to talk about th...
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Episode 24
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33:13
Ep 23: Unlock your star performance at awards presentations - with Thunderbirds star and pro-speaker DOMINIC COLENSO.
In this episode, Donna is joined by Dominic Colenso, who began his career as a professional actor, before training as a director at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.He’s worked alongside some of the UK’s most famous actors, ap...
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Episode 23
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35:55
Ep 22: Recognising innovation and achievement within workplace learning - with PAULINE SAUNDERS, Head of Events at The Learning and Performance Institute.
Donna O'Toole is joined by Head of Events at The Learning and Performance Institute, Pauline Saunders. Pauline talks about their flagship awards programme The Learning Awards, including what the 2021 entry process entails, who should enter, and...
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Episode 22
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14:31
Ep 21: Recognising exceptional global female entrepreneurs in The Best Business Women Awards - with DEBBIE GILBERT.
In this episode, Donna talks with Debbie Gilbert - a multi-award-winning Entrepreneur and owner of Viva Business Support, a marketing and events agency. She is also the founder of
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Episode 21
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29:41
Ep 20: The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2021: Who won and how to enter the 2022 competition - with DONNA O'TOOLE.
In this inspirational episode, Donna discusses The Queen's Awards for Enterprise and explains why these awards are widely regarded as the world's most prestigious.Learn more about this year's winners and find out how the entry process w...
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Episode 20
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12:34
Ep 19: Launching the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards - with SARAH AUSTIN.
Sarah Austin is a leading voice of the awards and events industry. In addition to a 12-year career running an international awards portfolio at Informa (formally UBM), Sarah was notably the Awards Director for the National Business Awards...
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Episode 19
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25:33
Ep 18: Turning your message into an award-winning movement - with Host of the Unconventionalists® podcast, MARK LERUSTE.
As the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of the Ministry of Purpose and Host of The Unconventionalists® podcast, Mark Leruste is on a mission to help entrepreneurs and business leaders have an im...
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Episode 18
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38:12
Ep 17: An inspirational journey of overcoming adversity and achieving global sporting recognition - with DAVID HENSON MBE.
David Henson MBE is a highly successful parasport athlete, who took up athletics following a life-changing incident whilst serving in Afghanistan almost exactly 10 years ago. Having stepped on a hidden landmine, the impact of the blast led to t...
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Episode 17
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28:03
Ep 16: What's new at the 2021 UK Customer Experience Awards and the UK Business Awards - with NEIL SKEHEL, CEO of Awards International.
Neil Skehel is the CEO of Awards International, an international awards organiser with 12 programmes around the world including in Europe, the Middle East and the UK. I’ve asked Neil to join me on the podcast today to talk about th...
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Episode 16
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27:28
Ep 15: How understanding your personality and adapting your behaviours can help you win an awards pitch - with IAN WASHINGTON-SMITH, Behavioural Expert & Director at Rego.
Join Donna in conversation with Ian Washington-Smith, the Director of Rego, an organisation that works with people to solve problems and support individuals and teams to achieve their goals and reach their potential. With the compan...
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Episode 15
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35:38
Ep 14: Who Wins When You Win? - with CHARLY YOUNG, Co-founder of The Girls' Network.
Donna is delighted to welcome Charly Young to the podcast. In 2013, Charly co founded The Girls' Network with her colleague, Becca. Starting out as a one-to-one mentoring scheme for 30 girls, The Girls' network has grown to suppor...
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31:19
Ep 13: An incredible entrepreneurial journey from phonebox to freedom - with STEPHEN FEAR "The Phonebox Millionaire™" Chairman & Founder of the Fear Group.
Join Donna in conversation with Stephen Fear, The Phonebox Millionaire™, British entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist and author with 50 years' international business experience.Stephen first went into business at the age of 15 aft...
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55:25
Ep 12: Turning your biggest challenge into your superpower and making it onto the 2021 New Year Honours List - with ALISON EDGAR MBE.
Donna is delighted to be joined by Alison Edgar MBE, also known as “The Entrepreneur’s Godmother” because of her incredible support of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.Amongst her many achievements, Alison has pioneered culture...
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43:54
Ep 11: Creating and breaking world records to complement your marketing campaigns - with NEIL FOSTER, Vice President of the Guinness World Records Consultancy and HAYLEY WOODWARD, Head of Global Marketing for Rubik’s.
Today we are joined by Neil Foster, Vice President of the Guinness World Records Consultancy who works with brands, agencies, community groups and charities to make and break records by creating challenges that complement their marketing campai...
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34:43
Ep 10: Coming up with plan A, B, C, D and E - with DR REBECCA ZHI HERBERT, Silver Award Winner at the UK Customer Experience Awards.
Donna catches up with Dr Rebecca Zhi Herbert, founder and the Academic Director of Wisdom Spring Education. As Silver winner of the UK Customer Experience Awards for Customer Experience during the Crisis, and finalist of the Great British...
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32:18
Ep 9: A story of fearlessness and following your passion - with MARVIN SORDELL, former Premier League, England and Olympic footballer, turned creative producer, writer and mental health ambassador.
In this episode of our podcast, Donna spoke with Marvin Sordell, former Premier League, England and Olympic footballer, turned creative producer, writer and ambassador for mental health. Marvin shares his stories on leaving the footballing worl...
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31:59
Ep 8: How to make a Queen's honours nomination for a Covid-19 Hero or anyone who has inspired, influenced or improved life for others - with DONNA O'TOOLE.
This year The Queen’s Birthday honours list was delayed to include a special list for ‘COVID Heroes’ - the volunteers, key workers and generally amazing and selfless people who had done something to help others or make a positive impact during ...
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12:14
Ep 7: Going for Gold - with NEIL FACHIE MBE, British Paralympian, Performance Business Coach and Best-selling Author.
Donna is joined by Gold Medal winning team GB Paralympian Neil Fachie MBE. Neil shares his incredible story from learning of his condition and the trials and tribulations to get to London 2012 and achieve his dreams. And as a full-time athlete ...
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48:56
Ep 6: The ONE thing you can do now to create an award-winning customer experience - with IAN GOLDING, Global Customer Experience Specialist and Chairman of the Customer Experience Awards.
Donna chats with Mr. Customer Experience himself, Ian Golding. Talking everything CX, Ian shares his journey into the world of Customer Experience, his stories of CX nightmares and examples winning CX strategies, plus Ian discusses the business...
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48:32
Ep 5: Turning your biggest challenges into life-changing opportunities - with MICHAEL TOBIN OBE, Multi-Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Maverick, and Philanthropist.
This episode Donna is joined by "The father of the UK Data Centre Industry" himself, Michael Tobin OBE. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Michael shares his thoughts on the many challenges life throws us and how you can overcome fear to seize the opp...
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47:04
Ep 4: Why entrepreneurs deserve recognition now more than ever - with ANDREW SCOTT, CEO of Ascot Group and Founder of the Amazon ScaleUp Awards, Go:Tech Awards, Business Leader Awards and Business Leader Magazine.
Donna O'Toole talks with CEO of Ascot Group Andrew Scott, who shares his story in the publishing, events and awards industry, how they've navigated the pandemic and what entrants can expect when entering their award programmes. Founded ...
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22:02