TORCH AWARDS for MARKETPLACE ETHICS. Entry Form Trust. Performance. Integrity. Platinum Event Sponsors:

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1 TORCH AWARDS for MARKETPLACE ETHICS Trust. Performance. Integrity. Entry Form 2012 Platinum Event Sponsors:

2 What are the Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics? The mission of your Better Business Bureau is to promote and foster the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence. Your BBB conducts an annual awards program to gain public recognition for businesses and non-profit organizations that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical fashion. Businesses can apply in four categories based on the number of employees. Non-profit organizations can apply in two categories based on total revenues. An independent panel of volunteer judges selects the winners. Winning businesses can forward their entries to the Council of BBB s International Torch Awards competition. The Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics is designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses and non-profit organizations to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honest. Every winner and finalist of a BBB Torch Award has an unprecedented opportunity for public recognition and well deserved visibility. No award could mean more to a business or non-profit organization s reputation than a Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Who Judges the Torch Awards? Candidates for the BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics are evaluated by a panel of judges from the business, non-profit, and academic community who are independent of the BBB. The decisions of the judges are final. All criteria are judged equally, each carrying a maximum point value of 10, plus a maximum of 10 points for the overall presentation, for a total of 50 points. Winners and finalists of the BBB Torch Awards get a lot of attention! They are announced in a press release, in newspaper articles and ads, they are honored at the Torch Awards luncheon, and a picture of the winner s President is placed on the home page of the local BBB s website in rotation with other winners! Keynote Speaker, 2011 BBB Torch Awards - Tori Murden- McClure, President, Spalding University Who is Eligible? Torch Awards are open to all businesses and organizations that serve the BBB of Louisville, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky markets. Winners are ineligible to re-apply for 3 years. The company/organization must have been in business for at least three years and must be in good standing with the BBB. However, BBB Accreditation is not a requirement for entry or consideration. Soliciting charities are required to demonstrate compliance with BBB Standard for Charity Accountability in order to be eligible for an award. For your entry to be considered the following three steps must be followed: 1 Complete the entry form. 2 Prepare your entry, address all four criteria, and include a twopage summary. 3 Send or drop off the entry to the BBB by the deadline: September, 21, BBB Torch Awards Emcee, Rachel Platt, Anchor, WHAS11 News and Charlie Mattingly, President/CEO, BBB

3 Step 1 Entry Form (Must submit with your binder!) Company/Organization Name: President/Owner: Street Address: City: Zip: Telephone: Website Address: Years in Business: Product/Service offered: I would like to enter the 2012 Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics competition in the following category: Company: Very Small Business (1-9 employees) Small Business (10-99 employees) Medium Business ( employees) Large Business (500+ employees) Non-Profit Organization: Small (Revenue under $1,000,000) Large (Revenue over $1,000,000) The official entry is being submitted by: Name: Title: Telephone: Entry Deadline: September 21, 2012, 4:30 pm Need Help? Call Reanna Smith-Hamblin at (502) for more information or to set up an appointment to view past winning entries

4 Step 2 Preparing Your Entry A company/organization should demonstrate its superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surrounding communities. Supporting documents must be provided in four areas for consideration (below). While examples from all four areas must be provided, the bullet points below are only suggestions and not all are required to be addressed in order to compete for an award. Entries MUST be submitted on 8.5 x 11 paper, with the total entry LIMITED to a 2-inch, three-ring binder. Tabs must separate the binder into four sections corresponding to the judging criteria noted below. Make a copy of your entry for your records! Judges WILL NOT review videos, DVDs, etc. Along with addressing the four criteria listed below, entries must also include a two-page summary (maximum) that: Explains why the company or organization merits consideration for the award. Highlights specific business and management practices relevant to the award. Illustrates the company or organization s commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace. Explains the company/organization s position on integrity and standards of conduct in relationships with all stakeholders - including a formally adopted policy or mission statement. Management Practice Pertinent sections from an employee handbook showing how commitment to exceptional standards are communicated to and implemented by employees. A vision, mission, or core values statement describing commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and surrounding communities. Training and procedures used to address concerns an employee may have in dealing with ethical issues. Management practices and policies that foster positive employee relations. Employee benefits and workplace practices contributing to the quality of family life. Actions taken to access and mitigate risks and prevent workplace injury. Examples of sound environmental practices. Examples of operational practices focused on security and privacy issues. Illustrations of commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace (ie. customer service program, employee relation policy or practice, vendor/supplier relationship, etc.). Existence of Ombudsman, Compliance Officer, or Ethics Officer (who investigates and resolves complaints). Owners of companies with no employees must explain how a personal commitment to exceptional standards is applied. Community/Investor/ Stakeholder Relations Examples of a vision, mission, and core values statement in action. Policies and practices that demonstrate accountability and responsibility to communities, investors, constituents, and other stakeholders. Actions taken demonstrating service beyond the call of duty. Examples of circumstances in which tough decisions were made that had negative short-term consequences, but created long-term value and benefits. Examples of and results produced by pro-bono work. Examples of working closely with the community and making a positive social impact - charitable and/or community service projects. Examples of how your business has prospered because of honesty and integrity. Complimentary feedback from customers, vendors and/or suppliers. Communications and Marketing Practices Methods used to ensure all sales, promotional materials, and advertisements are truthful and accurate. Sales training policies and codes of ethics used by sales personnel that ensure all transactions are made in a transparent, honest manner. Crisis communications efforts and associated marketing actions that educated audiences, prevented negative outcomes, and restored trust and confidence in the products and services. Examples of internal communications practices, benefiting employees and contributing to overall effectiveness and efficiency. Industry Reputation Media coverage reflecting trust in the marketplace. Awards, recognition, and complimentary letters from within the industry and community.

5 Step 3 Mail or Drop off Your Entry Better Business Bureau Attention: Reanna Smith-Hamblin 844 South 4th Street Louisville, KY ENTRY DEADLINE: September 21,2012 4:30 PM 2011 Winners and Finalists: Very Small Business (1-9 employees) Mediaura, Louisville, KY, Winner Sign-A-Rama Downtown, Louisville, KY, Finalist 2012 winners will be announced at the BBB Torch Awards Luncheon - Date TBA - at The Olmsted in Louisville, KY. Small Business (10-99 employees) Taylor Homes, Louisville, KY, Winner Consumers Choice Coffee, Louisville, KY, Finalist Medium Business ( employees) Louisville Water Company, Louisville, KY, Winner Park Community Federal Credit Union, Louisville, KY, Finalist Large Business (500+ employees) Sam Swope Auto Group, Louisville, KY, Winner Texas Roadhouse, Louisville, KY, Finalist Non-Profit Organization (with Revenue over $1,000,000) Day Spring, Louisville, KY Winner The Better Business Bureau 844 South Fourth Street Louisville, KY Patrick Henry Hughes and his father, Guest Speakers, 2008 BBB Torch Awards