2015 Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust serving Eastern and Northern Ontario and the Outaouais TORCH AWARDS 2015 APPLICATION YOUR CHECKLIST Completed Nominee Entry Form Completed Business Application Package MAXIMUM three (3) pages of examples of related marketing material to substantiate your claims/policies, or adherence to truthful advertising MAXIMUM three (3) customer reference letters CHECKLIST
NOMINEE ENTRY FORM Company Name: Contact Person for Application: Title: Owner(s) / Manager(s) / Principal(s) / CEO: Nature of Business: Years in Business: Number of Employees: Complete Address: Company Phone: Fax: Email address: Website: IMPORTANT NOTE: We will contact you regarding award category after we have received your entry application. Where did you hear about the BBB Torch Awards (check one)? BBB Mailing Newspaper BBB Website Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) Nominated Referral Other (please specify) Sign and Date: A copy of this form, signed and dated, MUST accompany your application. ion. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: TO BE DETERMINED (Applications must be postmarked prior to deadline date) NOMINEE ENTRY FORM
2015 Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust Our Purpose The will be hosting the Annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust Gala in the fall of 2015. The Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust Gala publicly recognizes businesses that maintain a solid commitment to demonstrating ethical business practices. The Award is designed to promote not only the importance of trustworthy business practices through integrity and performance, but also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honourable. Why You? You deserve it. You may have been nominated by a consumer or an employee. Or, you feel your company deserves recognition of its commitment to BBB Standards for Trust. Event Details Details for the 19 th Annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust Gala will be announced as soon as they are available. The event will include a networking reception, fine dining and awards presentation. Are You Eligible? Although BBB accreditation is not a requirement, the company must be in good standing with the BBB. In addition, if the company has been involved in major lawsuits, including class action suits, or government actions in the past three years, this information must be disclosed as part of your entry and will be considered by the judges. The immediate previous year s award winners are not eligible, nor are not-for-profit and charitable organizations and businesses that primarily serve municipal, provincial or federal governments; however, these organizations can submit nominations for qualified companies. The company must be physically located within the service area of the BBB serving Eastern and Northern Ontario and the Outaouais. INTRODUCTION
TORCH AWARDS FOR MARKETPLACE TRUST (To all applicants: Less is more; please do NOT exceed the space provided unless otherwise specified.) The Torch Award for Marketplace Trust honours businesses that promote trust in our marketplace. CRITERIA 1: Company Description Please describe your company. Include when it was founded, the nature of the business, where it is located, the number of locations, and the owner(s)/principal(s) names. APPLICATION
Position Statement Please provide a brief statement describing your company s position regarding integrity and ethical practices. Ethical Employees and Volunteers Describe two policies your company advocates that assist your staff in carrying out ethical practices. 1) 2)
Describe how those two policies have been made a part of your company s day-to-day operations.
CRITERIA 2: 2 Customer / Vendor / Supplier / Shareholder Relations Describe your company s policies and practices that assure excellence in quality products and/or services, and demonstrate accountability to customers, vendors and suppliers. If your company is publicly traded, discuss how the corporation demonstrates accountability to shareholders and adheres to good governance practices.
Decision-Making Describe two situations in which your business demonstrated ethical decision-making with customers, suppliers, vendors or sub-contractors. Dilemma/Issue faced: Action(s) taken by your company: Final Outcome: Dilemma/Issue faced: Action(s) taken by your company: Final Outcome:
CRITERIA 3: Advertising and Solicitations: Describe your company s policies and procedures for ensuring truthful advertising.* * Include an Appendix, 3 pages MAXIMUM, of examples of related marketing material to substantiate your claims/policies, or adherence to truthful advertising.
CRITERIA 4: Recognition by Peers in the Marketplace List recognitions or acknowledgments by industry peers, trade associations, and/or the communities in which you do business.
Community Impact Summarize a MAXIUMUM of 3 examples of programs/contributions/activities your company engaged in that provide value and support to your community.
REQUIRED APPENDIX to be returned with your completed application Completed Nominee Entry Form (See attached) Completed Business Application Package MAXIMUM 3 pages of examples of related marketing material to substantiate your claims/policies, or adherence to truthful advertising 3 Customer Referenc eference Letters
O M P Y I N Judging: How It Works? Candidates for the BBB Torch Award are evaluated by an independent panel of judges selected from business, academic and community leaders using the criteria and standards developed by the Council of s. The judging process is as follows: 1. All applications received by the BBB are reviewed to ensure that all criteria have been met and that the applicants have provided all materials on the Application Checklist. Applications received after the deadline or that do not meet all criteria are disqualified immediately. 2. Applicant packages are sent to the judges for review and scoring. 3. Judges scores will determine the Torch Award recipients and finalists. Torch Award Finalist Notification Finalists will be notified no later than to be determined. Finalist applications and content may be on display at the Torch Awards Gala. The Winners will be announced at the Torch Awards Gala. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: to be determined Email Torch Award Entry Applications and Appendix to: sjames@ottawa.bbb.org FINAL NOTE Subject line: Torch Awards Application 2015 Should your company be selected as a finalist, we will require your company logo and marketing images in digital format for use in our marketing and promotional material for the Torch Awards. Acceptable digital formats are: high-resolution.jpg,.jpeg,.tif and.eps format image and photo files vector-format graphics and logos saved as.eps or vector.pdf files.