Leveraging Awards for Growth

I want to thank all the contractors who entered this year’s Beautification Awards. I know it takes time away from all the other important things going on in your company, and I truly appreciate your effort.

If your company is fortunate enough to win, it offers more than just instant gratification... it opens the door to years of opportunities. You can proudly advertise your company as an award winner in your marketing, in your bids, and during conversations with potential clients. Even better, enter every year so you can say your company consistently wins against the best in Orange County. Show that you’ve set a high bar for your work – and that you intend to keep meeting it.

I always recommend that CLCA members include a list of their awards in their proposal folders when submitting a bid. Point out how many awards you’ve received and how consistently you’ve won them. This demonstrates your company’s ability to maintain high-quality standards year after year. I truly believe a client can’t ignore that. It forces them to seriously consider your company – regardless of price – and may also justify to them why your bid is higher.

One last thought: when I interview new employees, I always tell them we’re an award-winning company with high standards. I usually get one of two reactions – either a smile and a genuine “awesome,” or a blank look and a shrug. From that, you can usually tell who the better employee will be.

~ David Horton, 2025 CLCA OC Chapter President