CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Setting Benchmarks
Prof. Gihan Dias
Q: What is the significance of Sri Lanka’s awards landscape from an international perspective?
A: Sri Lanka’s awards landscape holds significant international importance as it promotes global recognition of excellence, enhances the profiles of national brands and encourages best practices among organisations.
Many Sri Lankan organisations have a foreign clientele and such awards help them gain recognition internationally.
The awards landscape facilitates cultural exchanges and diplomatic influence by highlighting diverse talents. It enables local businesses to benchmark themselves against international standards and showcase their resilience in overcoming recent challenges.
Collectively, these elements enhance Sri Lanka’s visibility on the world stage, and contribute to a culture of excellence that ultimately benefits its economy and society.
Q: And what roles do awards play in recognising and motivating businesses and working people?
A: Awards play a pivotal role in recognising and motivating businesses and individuals, by acknowledging their hard work and achievements. They provide validation that improves morale among employees and stakeholders, and promotes a culture of excellence within organisations.
For instance, initiatives such as BestWeb.LK and TopWeb.LK conducted by the LK Domain Registry empower web developers and companies to showcase their digital innovations, and incentivise creativity and quality in web design.
Since a website is often the primary gateway for any organisation, having a high quality online presence is crucial. By evaluating websites against established standards, we encourage enterprises to adopt best practices in quality management, which lead to improved performance and customer satisfaction.
Furthermore, awards enhance credibility and trust, and make businesses more attractive to potential customers and partners. They also increase visibility by helping companies stand out in competitive markets.
Ultimately, awards recognise individual achievements and motivate teams to strive for excellence; they contribute significantly to business success.
Q: In your opinion, how do awards contribute to elevating standards and practices within organisations?
A: Awards contribute significantly to elevating standards within enterprises by establishing clear benchmarks for performance. By participating in award schemes, organisations are compelled to assess their practices against rigorous criteria and encourage a culture of continuous improvement.
This drive for excellence ensures that they strive for international standards and don’t stagnate. And it also motivates them to continuously compete with others through these awards competitions.
It is essential for businesses to engage in healthy competition as it motivates them to innovate and consistently improve their offerings. This process not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives innovation as companies work to meet or exceed industry standards.
Additionally, organisations remain focussed on their purpose by placing customer satisfaction at the forefront of their efforts. The recognition received through awards can also serve as a powerful marketing tool, which attracts new clients and partners who value quality and excellence.
Q: What unique qualities or standards do you see in businesses in Sri Lanka that make them stand out on the world stage?
A: Sri Lankan businesses possess unique qualities that distinguish them on the world stage. Their ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology is particularly noteworthy.
For instance, many local companies leverage digital platforms to enhance their visibility globally while maintaining cultural authenticity in their products.
Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices among Sri Lankan enterprises, which resonates well with international consumers who are increasingly concerned about environmental impacts.
In conclusion, the awards landscape in Sri Lanka is not simply about recognition; it is a vital mechanism for promoting excellence, motivating individuals and organisations, elevating standards, encouraging inclusivity and showcasing unique qualities that contribute to the country’s international standing.
Sri Lanka is setting benchmarks for digital excellence while encouraging a culture of innovation that will benefit its economy in the long run.
