Richard Dym is Managing Partner of the BondiGroup and one of the SIIA’s long time respected Software CODiE judges. He has participated in enough CODiE nominee demos to know what separates a good one from a great one. In an effort to give nominees a leg up this year, Richard is offering up some tips and tricks for success from a judge’s perspective.

Tip 1: Build your CODiE demonstration with the category description in mind. Be sure to cover all relevant points of your product because judges will be evaluating your product against the category criteria.

Tip 2: If at all possible, host a live demonstration rather than a pre-recorded or un-guided demonstration.

Tip 3: Before beginning your demonstration, review what you are planning with your judge to make sure you are covering their specific requirements.

Tip 4: Use an introductory power point to introduce your company, product, key features, business model, target customer and highlight specific innovations.

Tip 5: During your demonstration, focus on usability as well as functionality.

Tip 6: Be sure to summarize innovations and disruption at the conclusion of the demonstration.

Tip 7: Even if you take questions during your presentation, be sure to leave time at the end for a final wrap up. Remember the “tell them what you told them rule”.

Good luck with your demos, and remember that the early deadline for nominations is this Friday, September 20^th! For more information on nominating and demo strategies, email me at ascott@siia.net.

Angel Scott is Awards Program Coordinator at SIIA. Follow the SIIA CODiE Awards on twitter at @CODiEAwards.

Barry Graubart, VP, Product Strategy, Connotate Inc. is one of the CODiE Awards’ well respected judges. He has participated in enough CODiE nominee demos to know what separates a good one from a great one.   He shares his insight on what he looks for in nominees as a judge and how to leverage a win!

Before the demo:

Tip 1: Communicate with your assigned judge prior to and if needed, after your presentation. Call or e-mail with confirmations and reach a common understanding about what is to happen and how to contact you if there is a problem.  Try not to leave emails and/or phone calls unanswered.

Tip 2: Check with your judges’ technology and be sure that he/she has the technological ability to see your demonstration.

Tip 3: Right from the start get comfortable with your judge, break the ice and listen to what he/she is like. Visit their LinkedIn profile in advance, to find out what they and their company do. You’ll want to understand how they may be viewing your product.

Tip 4: Set up a live demo. Don’t just give the judge access to your product and assume they’ll figure it out.

Tip 5: Don’t have your 3^rd string junior product manager give the demo. Your competition might have their CEO delivering theirs. Who’s going to make a stronger pitch?

During the demo:

Tip 6: Don’t assume that your judge knows your company or your product. Start out the conversation with a brief high-level overview. Ask them to let you know if you’re going too deep or not deeply enough.

Tip 7: Don’t give a “generic” demo. You’d never do that for a real prospect (I hope). Treat the judge like a specific prospect – and set up that scenario with them. Tell them “during this demo, let’s assume that you are a (job function) at a (organization type) and you’re trying to (problem you will solve). Then, throughout the demo, reinforce that – including the value proposition of why this matters and how it will help them in their job.

Tip 8: Be prompt with the time allowed. Give the demo as you might to a top prospect. Don’t click on every menu item. Focus on demonstrating the specific capabilities that will deliver your value in the scenario you’ve laid out for them.

Tip 9: Always thank your judge for his or her time. Remember that the judges volunteer their time for this – and may watch 6-8 product demos. Show appreciation of their efforts.

Good luck with your nominations, and remember that the early deadline is this Friday! For more on nomination strategies, email me at ascott@siia.net.

Angel Scott is Awards Program Coordinator at SIIA. Follow the SIIA CODiE Awards on twitter at @CODiEAwards.

Yesterday we hosted a CODiE Awards webinar specifically for education categories. The primary purpose of the webinar was to provide important updates made to the process, including the addition/revision of several categories for a total of 28 education-related categories.

During the webinar we covered:

• How to nominate
• What happens during the first-round judging process
• The complete CODiE Awards timeline
• A review of education categories

We were especially pleased to have two guests join us for the webinar: Kathy Sell, Director of Marketing, Atomic Learning a 2013 CODiE Award winner, and Larry Lambert, Online Instructional Support Specialist, Southwestern College District, a esteemed CODiE Awards judge.

Watch the webinar to hear everything that Kathy and Larry had to say, in addition to the information we provided. And remember, nominations for the content categories must be submitted by Friday, September 20, 2013.

Angel Scott is Awards Program Coordinator at SIIA. Follow the SIIA CODiE Awards on twitter at @CODiEAwards.

Nominate for the 2014 CODiEs in 3 Easy Steps

1. Look at the categories to determine the best fit for your product. You are encouraged to nominate for as many categories that are relevant to your product across the three category sectors. The more products you nominate the more money you save.
2. Review the timeline and make note of the deadlines.
3. Then nominate your product(s) today!

Not a member?

The SIIA has many programs that our members take advantage of.  If you are interested in learning more about membership and want to take advantage of our Join & Save offer to receive a complimentary CODiE Awards nomination – let us know and we will be happy to talk to you.

Angel Scott is Awards Program Coordinator at SIIA. Follow the SIIA CODiE Awards on twitter at @CODiEAwards.