Guidance for nominees to produce a strong nomination
Recognising outstanding contributions plays a key role in building a culture of excellence, boosting team morale, and strengthening employee engagement. However, inconsistent and unclear nominations and supporting statements from managers can make it difficult for the panel to assess the impact of each nominee. The following guidance has been produced to help nominators to produce compelling nominations that effectively showcase exceptional achievements, and includes detailed examples for each category, along with practical tips on how to produce strong nominations. Guidance is also provided for managers on how to produce concise qualifying statements, which are essential in demonstrating the nominee’s impact and assisting the panel in making informed decisions. This guidance includes two examples: one illustrating how to support a nomination, and another showing how to provide a neutral or non-supporting statement. These examples will help managers prepare their submissions effectively."
Key elements of a strong nomination
A strong nomination clearly demonstrates how the individual or team has gone beyond their expected duties, providing tangible evidence of their impact. To ensure your nomination stands out, it is important to include the following:
- Specific actions taken
Describe what the nominee did beyond their job requirements.
- Challenges overcome
Highlight any obstacles they faced and how they addressed them.
- Impact and outcomes
Provide measurable results, such as cost savings, improved client satisfaction, or positive feedback.
- Supporting details
Include testimonials, client comments, or team acknowledgments to further substantiate the nomination.
By incorporating these elements, your nomination will be more detailed, focused, and persuasive, making it easier for the panel to understand and appreciate the nominee’s achievements.
Examples of strong nominations
- Core Values
"John consistently exemplifies the Company's core values in his daily work. Recently, a new client expressed concerns about site security due to several reported car thefts in the local area. John took the initiative to introduce additional patrols, proactively addressing any potential vulnerabilities and ensuring the client felt reassured. During one of these extra patrols, John spotted a suspicious individual attempting to break into a vehicle. Acting swiftly, he alerted the police and safely apprehended the individual until the police arrived. His actions not only prevented the theft but also led to the recovery of stolen property from other cases in the area. His nurturing and collaborative approach resulted in positive feedback from the client and strengthened our relationship with them. Additionally, his dependability is unmatched — he has not missed a single shift in 5 years, often volunteering to cover additional shifts at short notice." - Impact
"Jane recently identified that cleaning operatives were spending excessive time gathering supplies from a remote storage area, which was impacting their ability to complete tasks efficiently. Recognising the need for improvement, Jane proposed the creation of a ‘cleaning kit station’ closer to the main work area. Despite initial resistance from some team members who were accustomed to the old setup, Jane patiently explained the benefits and provided hands-on demonstrations to ensure everyone was comfortable with the change.
The implementation of the cleaning kit station reduced downtime by 25%, allowing operatives to focus on high-priority tasks without interruptions. This practical solution not only improved operational efficiency but also resulted in cost savings of £1,500 annually in reduced overtime costs. The client was highly impressed with the improved workflow and consistently high cleanliness standards. In a letter of commendation, the client praised Jane’s initiative and problem-solving skills, stating that her efforts had significantly enhanced their overall satisfaction with the service. Additionally, Jane’s team expressed their appreciation for her leadership and innovative approach, highlighting how the new system made their jobs easier and more productive.”
Above and Beyond
During a severe snowstorm, Alex noticed several customers struggling to navigate the icy parking lot. Despite his shift officially ending, he stayed an extra four hours to shovel snow and apply grit, ensuring the area was safe for both pedestrians and vehicles. He also helped push two stranded cars out of snowdrifts, earning heartfelt thanks from several customers.
These actions were beyond his usual cleaning duties and demonstrated his commitment to both safety and customer satisfaction. Alex’s efforts helped prevent potential accidents and injuries, which would have reflected poorly on the company’s reputation. The client praised his quick thinking and commitment in a follow-up email to head office, and several customers provided written compliments, highlighting the positive impression Alex left. This exemplary display of initiative and selflessness had a lasting impact on customer satisfaction and strengthened our relationship with the client.
Leadership
“Maria consistently inspires her team to deliver exceptional service by fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. When the company secured a high-profile security contract, Maria took proactive steps to ensure success. She organised weekly strategy meetings to align her team with the client’s expectations, creating a clear and unified vision. Recognising the importance of professional development, Maria implemented a mentoring system, pairing new hires with experienced officers to accelerate their integration and growth.
Her leadership directly contributed to the site achieving a 98% client satisfaction score, a notable accomplishment given the complexity of the contract. Additionally, her guidance and encouragement led to the promotion of two team members, who credited Maria’s mentorship as instrumental in their career progression. Maria also tackled challenges head-on—when staff morale dipped during a period of high workload, she introduced regular feedback sessions and team-building activities, which significantly boosted engagement and productivity. Her ability to inspire, support, and lead her team has had a lasting impact on their performance and the client’s confidence in our service, earning her praise from both her team and senior management.”
Team
"The Night Security Team at Site X demonstrated exceptional teamwork and leadership during a fire alarm activation in the early hours of the morning. The team immediately sprang into action, efficiently evacuating over 300 residents, ensuring that everyone was accounted for in under 10 minutes. They remained calm under pressure, maintaining clear and effective communication throughout the evacuation process. Once the area was secure, they worked in close collaboration with the fire brigade, identifying the source of the alarm and ensuring all safety protocols were followed. In addition, they provided a detailed incident report, which allowed for a swift resolution with minimal disruption. As a result of their quick response and coordination, no injuries occurred, and the overall impact to the site’s daily operations was reduced to less than two hours. The client commended the team’s professionalism, highlighting that their actions not only met but exceeded expectations. They also noted that this incident significantly reinforced the client’s trust in our security service, with a post-incident client satisfaction rating of 98%, a notable increase from previous evaluations."Community
"The Cleaning Operatives at Site B went above and beyond by organising a charity initiative to support the local homeless shelter. Outside of their regular duties, they took the initiative to collect over 200 items—including clothing, food, and hygiene products—from staff and nearby businesses. They dedicated their own time on weekends to distribute these donations and also volunteered to clean and prepare the shelter. Their commitment resulted in tangible benefits, including improved living conditions for over 50 individuals. The shelter manager provided heartfelt feedback, acknowledging that the items donated had a direct impact on the residents’ well-being, and praised the team for their selfless effort. In recognition of their contribution, the shelter expressed interest in continuing the partnership for future initiatives. Moreover, the initiative boosted employee morale and engagement at Site B, with a 15% increase in internal employee satisfaction regarding corporate social responsibility, as reflected in the quarterly survey. The team’s dedication not only helped those in need but also positively impacted the reputation of our company in the local community."
By following the guidance provided and reviewing the examples above, you can create powerful nominations that effectively highlight the exceptional contributions of employees and teams.
Guidance for managers - qualifying statements
All nominations for the Anchor All-Stars Awards require a qualifying statement from the nominee’s manager. This statement is essential for the panel to evaluate the nominee’s impact and plays a key role in helping the panel make informed decisions. A simple statement like "I support this nomination" is insufficient. Managers must provide a statement that either supports the nomination by demonstrating the nominee’s impact or, where applicable, explains why they do not support the nomination.
Key elements of a qualifying statement in support of a nomination
A strong qualifying statement in support of a nomination should include:
- Highlighting the nominee’s contribution
Briefly confirm the nominee’s key actions or achievements. - Evidence of impact
Summarise the outcomes of their efforts (e.g., cost savings, client feedback). - Alignment with values or goal
State how their actions align with company values or objectives.
Example of a supporting statement
"I fully support this nomination for Jane Bloggs. Her impactful initiative in creating the ‘cleaning kit station’ significantly improved operational efficiency by reducing downtime by 25%, which resulted in annual cost savings of £1,500 for the client. Jane’s proactive approach and dedication to maintaining high standards have been commended by the client and perfectly reflect our core values of reliability and collaboration. Her actions have had a tangible impact on service delivery, strengthening our relationship with the client and enhancing their overall satisfaction with our service."
Qualifying statement not in support of a nomination
If a manager is unable to support a nomination, the statement should explain the reason for not supporting the nomination (e.g., actions fall within standard responsibilities, lack of significant impact).
Example of a non-supporting statement
"While I recognise the extra effort that Joe Bloggs has put into ensuring the security of the premises during the recent holiday period, I do not support this nomination as his actions fall within the scope of his standard responsibilities. Joe consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism in his role as a security officer, but the tasks he undertook, are expected of him as part of his regular duties. Although he performed these tasks well, there was nothing exceptional or beyond the usual expectations that would warrant an Anchor All-Stars Award."