In this episode, Matt Watson and Ryan Dowdy discuss the importance and benefits of being recognized on the Inc 5000 list. They explore the motivations behind winning awards and the impact it has on company culture, employee morale, and recruiting. They also highlight the value of third-party validation and how it builds credibility and trust with customers and investors. The conversation emphasizes the significance of celebrating wins and the role of awards in showcasing a company's success.

Takeaways
Being recognized on the Inc 5000 list provides third-party validation and builds credibility and trust with customers and investors.
Winning awards can boost company culture, employee morale, and recruiting efforts.
Celebrating wins is important and often overlooked in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.
Awards and accolades serve as a marketing tool and give companies a reason to reach out to existing customers and potential clients.
The Inc 5000 list is attainable for companies that have experienced significant growth over a three-year period.
Applying for awards and nominations can be a strategic play to position a company as an industry leader.

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Sound Bites
"We don't stop enough and give credit to the team and the whole company. Let's stop and celebrate as a company. If we did this big thing as a team, this is a team sport."
"People want to do business with winners. We all have that bias. We all want to win."
"Recruiting is a huge issue. Good people want to be part of winning teams and winning companies."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:38 Celebrating Wins and Recognizing the Team
07:16 The Impact of Awards on Company Culture and Recruiting
09:45 The Value of Being Recognized as a Winner
11:30 The Role of the Founder as a Cheerleader
15:43 The Inc 5000 as a Favorite Achievement