I was cleaning out the back room of one of our offices the other day, and I came across a box of industry competition awards. They had likely been set aside for years, gathering dust. These were from a time before I owned the newspaper, and there were a lot of them. Clearly, the owners and the staff took great pride in winning these awards.

You likely have similar contests in the industries or organizations you have worked in or been involved with. They can be wonderful ways to recognize your staff or volunteers for the work they have done. They can be bragging points to your customers or members to show how great your company or organization is. And they can simply be reasons to celebrate. Those are all worthwhile justifications to enter industry contests.

I have judged some of the contests in the publishing industry, and it’s no easy task. In some categories, there may only be a few entries. Other categories are flooded with wonderful work, and it’s difficult to choose a winner. But, at the end of the day, the contests are only as good as the people who judge them.

Don't get me wrong. We enter contests, and we have won our share of awards. We take pride in the work we do, and it is nice to be recognized.

I also frequently remind myself — and our staff — that the ultimate judges are not the people who pick the contest entries winners; the judges who truly matter are our customers. In our business, they are our readers and advertisers.

Are we giving our current readers the news and information they want so they seek us out regularly? Are we gaining new readers through our traditional methods, and are we continually experimenting with new ideas, too?

Are we driving measurable results for our current advertisers? Are we providing exceptional customer service and helping their businesses grow? Are we attracting and aggressively seeking out new advertising customers?

In short, are we growing?

If we are not doing all of the aforementioned things, then we will end up much like that dusty old box of awards in our back room. But when we focus on the judges that matter, we grow — and, at the end of the day, that accomplishment is the one that truly matters.

Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

Iowa Cubs July 31: Iowa Cubs 4 St. Paul 8

MLB July 31: Red Sox 7 Brewers 2, Cardinals 5 Nationals 0, Royals 8 Yankees 6, White Sox 4 Athletics 1, Padres 3 Twins 2, Giants 4 Cubs 0  ... READ MORE

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

The heat continues to build this week. We have slight rain chances ahead early Tuesday morning and again on Wednesday. Otherwise, take it easy out there in the muggy conditions.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

CITYVIEW announced its 2022 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Feb.1. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Radio Personality
1. Ron Sorenson - KFMG 98.9 F
2. Simon Conway - WHO 1040 AM
3. Andy Hall - Lazer 103.3 FM

Softball player's star rising


Brewer making a name for herself.

By Lindsey Giardino

A rising star at Norwalk High School, sophomore Carly Brewer is making herself known in the sport of softball.

She started playing at age 10 — before which she played T-ball with her brother — and has continued to develop a passion for the game. She’s incredibly talented, too, and the stats speak for themselves.

Putting in long hours in the batting cage, Brewer has increased her pitch velocity to 65 miles per hour and gained spin on both her rise and drop ball. This year, she was rated by Extra Innings Softball as the No. 31 best pitcher in the nation and the No. 65 overall player in the 2025 class.

... Read More From the July issue of Norwalk Living magazine.

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Jason Momoa, Coolio, Jack O'Connell, Madison Bumgarner, Leon Thomas III, Austin Rivers, Max Carver, Zac Brown, Elijah Kelley, Kirk Ferentz

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to:tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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