How to be better than your biggest competitor

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a judge for both the Burnley Business Awards and Red Rose Awards.

I always value experiences like this, as it allows me to peek behind the curtain at the inner workings of some of the most forward-thinking companies in industry. But even more, it offers me a moment of profound realisation about what it truly means to excel in business today.

The calibre of entrants was nothing short of remarkable. Each submission was a testament to the innovation, dedication and sheer willpower driving our local businesses forward. In every application, I saw the heart and soul of entrepreneurs deeply committed to making a difference in their industries.

Why does this matter? Engaging in competitions like the Burnley Business Awards and the Red Rose Awards is about more than just accolades and recognition.

It forces you to look outside your four walls, to measure yourself by the broader canvas of industry standards and innovations. It’s about pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and, most importantly, acknowledging that success and innovation can come from any corner, at any time. Acknowledge, praise and learn from it.

But here’s a little nugget of wisdom I’ve gathered from all this – while competing against others is crucial, if you’re not careful, you risk missing out on the most important competitor of all: ourselves.

To truly succeed, to break barriers and redefine what’s possible, our biggest challenge should always be to outdo ourselves. To wake up every day with the mission to be better than we were yesterday; to start truly evolving.

These awards opened my eyes to the incredible feats being achieved by businesses right now, it also reinforced a fundamental truth of industry and personal growth. The real growth, the kind that changes the game, comes from an unyielding commitment to surpass your own benchmarks.

To every entrepreneur, leader and dreamer out there, remember this: celebrate the wins, learn from your peers, but always, always aim to be in competition with the person you were yesterday.

That is how we ensure our businesses and our industries have a bright future – keep reaching for new heights.