When the REINSW Awards for Excellence was launched, it was the only real estate awards program in New South Wales. Today, it’s one of many. So what then makes the REINSW program different? And why should you enter in 2020?
The REINSW Awards for Excellence have always been held in the highest esteem, recognising practitioners from across the spectrum of real estate industry specialisations in New South Wales.
“They’re the longest running awards program in NSW and, I believe, the most meaningful,” REINSW President Leanne Pilkington said. “Peer recognition is important because it represents judgement by your harshest critics.
“Those within the industry understand what works, what doesn’t, what’s exceptional and what’s overrated – and therein lies the true value of being named as a winner or finalist in the REINSW Awards for Excellence.”
“Peer recognition is important because it represents judgement by your harshest critics. Those within the industry understand what works, what doesn’t, what’s exceptional and what’s overrated – and therein lies the true value of the REINSW Awards for Excellence.”
Leanne Pilkington, REINSW President
Points of difference
Leanne emphasised how the REINSW Awards for Excellence is different from programs run by other commercial enterprises.
“We have no hidden agenda,” she said. “The submission and judging processes are completely transparent. I’ve been on both sides of the fence – as an entrant and as a judge – and believe it’s the best framework by far.”
Leanne explained that, from an entrant’s point of view, the submission process is straightforward.
“The questions for the written submission are clear and specific,” she said. “We spend a lot of time each year reviewing and updating the questions to ensure they’re relevant to current industry practice and allow the judges to truly gauge each entrant’s knowledge, skill and achievements.
“Importantly, the judges are presented with a set of criteria for each question asked. This means all submissions are assessed in the same way. And the fact that it is all done via an online judging platform means there’s no chance for collusion, because each judge works independently and the system tallies the scores.”
Leanne pointed to the panel interview process as another distinguishing feature of the REINSW Awards for Excellence.
“The fact that the judges come together to interview the finalists, following their assessment of the written submissions, allows them to delve deeper and really test the veracity of each entrant’s claim,” she said.
“It really is a very robust judging process.”
Striving for excellence
It’s a point of pride for Leanne that the REINSW Awards for Excellence focus on quality, not quantity.
“Our awards have never been about who has sold the most property or who manages the biggest office tower,” she said.
“They’re called the Awards for Excellence for good reason. They’re about excellence in service, creativity, initiative and commitment, and the winners and finalists are selected for their achievements at the highest level. They focus on professional skills and behaviours, and how these are executed.
“I believe this is what truly sets our awards apart from other programs.”
“They’re called the Awards for Excellence for good reason. They’re about excellence in service, creativity, initiative and commitment, and the winners and finalists are selected for their achievements at the highest level.”