Entries for the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Market place ethics will be reviewed by a panel of six-judges independent of the Better Business Bureaus' staff. The competition is open to any for-profit business in the 13-county area served by the Better Business Bureau.
Nominations are accepted from the general public, customers, suppliers, or employees. Self-nominations by owners or immediate family will not be accepted.
The judges may request additional information from the company or business regarding any of the four judging criteria. BBB membership is not a requirement. The company may not hold an unsatisfactory record with any BBB. If your company has been the object of major lawsuits, including class action suits, or government actions in the past three years, this information must be disclosed as part of your entry. Decisions of the judges are final.
- Entries should include the completed entry form and a two-page summary that:
- explains why your firm merits being a Business Ethics Award winner;
- highlights specific business and management practices relevant to the award; and
- illustrates your firm’s commitment to fair and honest conduct in the marketplace;
- provides your firm’s position regarding business integrity and ethical practices. This might include a policy or mission statement, if available.
- Entries should be submitted on 8.5” x 11” paper, and the total entry is limited to a 2 inch, three-ring binder.
- Use tabs to separate the binder into 4 sections corresponding to the judging criteria below, and include materials (mission statement, company communications and publications, news media articles, company advertising, letters of recognition or commendation, customer testimonials, etc.) that demonstrate your company’s strengths regarding each of the criteria. Sorry, however, video, DVD’s and CD media will not be reviewed by the judges.
- Please retain a copy of your complete entry. Contestants are allowed one “presentation folder”. Please submit six complete copies of your presentation for the judges. The Bureau will make every effort to return the presentation folder to you and the copies; however, one submitted entry will become the property of the Better Business Bureau.
- We respect your privacy. All entries will be kept in strict confidence and will only be viewed by the six-judge panel to determine a winner.