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How to Impress Judges in Round One
Happy New Year! With the holiday season now behind us, it’s time to buckle down and get serious about the competition. To impress the judges, your final submission must score well against the evaluation criteria listed in the Rules & Regulations. In this post, I offer advice on completing each of the sections in the final submission. Suggestions are based on my own interpretation of the evaluation criteria and on discussions with some of my fellow judges.
Don’t skimp on the executive summary. I cannot overemphasize the importance of the executive summary. Though it represents a small fraction of your submission in terms of length, the executive summary plays a pivotal role in capturing the interest and enthusiasm of the judges. It should read as a stand-alone section that summarizes the entire submission. If it does not communicate the essence of your proposal, then your summary has missed the mark.
Keep in mind that judges in the first round will be reviewing your submission alongside many others. The executive summary is to your submission what a cover letter is to a résumé. A cover letter tells an employer why you should be hired over countless other job applicants. It has to stand out in order for your résumé to receive detailed consideration. Similarly, the executive summary should tell judges why your idea merits careful contemplation.
Provide evidence when describing influential teen traits. In my view, the key to this section is evidence. If you make claims about today’s teens, you simply need to back them up. Without evidence, you are asking the judges to trust you blindly. On the other hand, if you provide supporting data, judges will understand your stance and your claims will be difficult to dispute. When you make predictions, base them on early indicators that suggest clear trends.
Explain the benefits of your proposed idea or innovation. This is the heart of the submission and the section that judges will weigh most heavily. Insight into today’s teens will not amount to much unless you are able to suggest a course of action. Present your idea clearly and explain why it’s a good one. Focus on the benefits to customers and the organization. As suggested in Final Submission Quicktip, make sure it connects logically with the previous section.
Anticipate potential concerns in your implementation plan. There are a million reasons not to innovate. Even great ideas get delayed or abandoned, often for fear of failure. It’s simply human nature to recognize potential pitfalls. Use this section to address possible resistance to your idea. Anticipate issues that skeptics might raise and provide answers. Show the judges that you recognize the associated challenges and that you have a plan to deal with them.
Don’t be shy when it comes to originality and creativity. Judges will be looking for originality and creativity at every turn. If your idea is truly innovative, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. You are the sole advocates for your idea and your submission is the only vehicle you can use to influence the judges. Your final submission is not the place to be modest – save that for the awards ceremony when you humbly accept the winner’s prize. :-)
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The Innovator Blog is your inside source for advice and guidance on the RBC Next Great Innovator Challenge™.
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