The 5th Jersey Tech Awards are underway and they’re bigger and better than ever. The 2022 awards, sponsored by C5 Alliance, and organised by Digital Jersey, will see 12 categories plus the Judge’s Choice Award. But if you’re entering and want to take away a winner’s trophy at the Awards Ceremony on Friday 28th April, our Lead Judge, Leonie McCrann has some advice for all entrants.
I’m honoured to be the lead judge this year for these incredibly important awards for Jersey. They give visibility and recognition to the sector and to the winners and short-listed entrants. Through that visibility, we are not only recognising the innovation taking place here in our Island, but hopefully inspiring the next generation and showing the potential for their own development and progression in Jersey.
I have been on the judging panel before and seen the same ‘mistakes’ made by entrants which have let them down when it comes to the judging. This year we have changed some of the questions, as well as adding and splitting categories, to make it easier for people to enter. However, there are still some top tips I can give to make sure your entry is as good as it can be:
- Answer the question that has been asked.
It might sound straight forward but we have often seen people either leaving questions blank, or saying, ‘not applicable’ and what that means is when we come to scoring that question, they will get zero points.
- Take time with your entry.
It’s clear from some entries that people have rushed them. Make the time to tell your story. We don’t want one sentence answers or your marketing strategy for your business, we want to know what the story is behind it and therefore why you should be getting the award.
- Remember that the focus is technology.
That doesn’t mean you have to have developed a new technology, you might have used it innovatively in your organisation, or obviously in the case of the teacher award, have taught it in a way which has inspired your students. But don’t forget to centre your answer around technology.
- Make sure you include relevant testimonials and feedback.
Judges are looking for reviews from those who have used your product or service – the end beneficiaries. Get them to talk about your tech innovation in their own words. Who better to bring your entry to life, than the people for whom your product or service really made a difference to.
- Tell us what the problem was that you solved.
Innovation is all about solving a problem – so what was that problem which sparked your new product/service or use of tech? Structure your answers so that the judges can clearly see the problem, how important that was in your area, and how you solved it.
We have an amazing panel of judges who represent some of the brightest in our digital industry. They are looking forward to seeing your entries and to being able to celebrate your success. Don’t forget that the deadline for entries is midnight the 12th Dec.
The list of Judges:
Leonie McCrann is chairing the judges. Leonie is CEO of Marbral Advisory and the CEO and founder of start-up technology business Anova.
She will be joined by:
Dr Claire Newman: Principal Policy Officer (Public Health) Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance at Govt of Jersey
Emma German: Senior Associate in Carey Olsen Jersey’s digital assets team
Jason Laity: Chairman, Jersey Finance
Dave Cartwright: Head of Technology Operations & Risk/Chief Information Security Officer, Santander and Chair, the Channel Islands Information Security Forum
Ed Daubeney: Managing Director, Envestors
Nicolle Maltwood: Ecosystem Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs
Jensen Nixon: CEO Web Administration Resource Management
Joel Mills: CEO AugmentCity and Offshore Simulator Centre
Dan Hare: CEO Continuum Consulting
Matt Palmer: Director CERT.je Jersey’s Cyber Emergency Response Team.
