Deadline: 5-Jan-23
Entries are now open for the CanadianSME National Business Awards 2022 that will help you gain publicity and recognition on a national and global scale.
The CanadianSME National Business Awards 2022 is the perfect stage for you to stand out and shine with your accomplishments in the business world. It is a place where all your hard work, passion, dedication, and determination are recognized before everyone in the world. Furthermore, it is the perfect opportunity to materialize your outreach campaigns by attracting more probable clients, employees, and partners.
Benefits
- It will give you the much-needed time to slow down, sit back, reflect and be proud of what you were able to achieve over the years.
- A perfect stage to find sustainable ideas to take your enterprise to the next level of success.
- Even if you don’t win, just being shortlisted at such a prestigious stage adds credibility and recognizes your efforts and success.
Categories and Eligibility
- The CanadianSME Business Award will facilitate participants across 22 diverse categories. From the Entrepreneur of the year to the best team, they have carefully picked categories that cater to the diversity of the country. Furthermore, they have separate categories for women and immigrant entrepreneurs of the years as well. Each participant is eligible to apply for up to five categories, for which there will be no charge.
- Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year – 2022
- Beyond the economic contribution to Canada, Indigenous entrepreneurship is important in numerous ways. This award recognizes the excellence, resilience, innovation of Indigenous businesses while contributing long-term success for these innovative leaders who have found their own voice within an ever-changing world. The judges are looking for a driven entrepreneur who has shown continuous growth and sustainability in their business. The successful candidate should have an established brand with plans of continuing success, as well as solid experience running this type of company already under his belt or her wing! The contribution made by this company will be even greater after they win!
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Among the most honorable and prestigious awards for any business owner is the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Individuals who have demonstrated excellence in every facet of their business whether innovation or sales or marketing or advertising will be felicitated with this honor. The judges are on the lookout for an entrepreneur who has established a successful business and brand that has shown continuous growth, a solid business plan, and a sustainability outlook. The individual who will take home the Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be an inspiration for generations of entrepreneurs to come!
- Excellence in Data Privacy & Security
- Data privacy & security are not just legal requirements; enacting them ensures business success and sustainability. Furthermore, it builds trust among the common masses. The Excellence in Data Privacy & Security Award is given to the company that has proven that data privacy & security are their top priority. Businesses who demonstrate that they have a formal privacy officer, have written policies in place, implement proper network security measures, and invest in security awareness training will be considered for this award. This is the prominent factor judges will refer to when it comes to choosing the winner. Small businesses of all industries (not IT or security companies) are eligible under this category.
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Young Entrepreneurs are the future of the business industry in any part of the world. They demonstrate innovation by finding new and inventive ways to fix problems and show a great deal of social savviness. Aged 30 and under, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year nominees will demonstrate how they have used their skills to build a successful, sustainable, and blooming business that is rare for their age. Opportunity grabbers, dynamic responses, passionate about innovation and progress, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year is an inspiration for business owners everywhere.
- Customer Service Excellence
- Customer service is crucial when it comes to the success of any business. The Customer Service Excellence Award is given to the company that has repeatedly proven that customer service is their top priority. Businesses who implement procedures and methods that put the customer at the top of their daily operations will be considered for this award and are the prominent factor judges will refer to when it comes to choosing the winner. Businesses of all industries are eligible under this category.
- Business of the Year – 2022 (100+ employees)
- The Small Business of the Year Award is given to the company that has shown an increase in profits throughout the year and a solid business plan for its growth strategy. Judges are looking for small businesses that stand out from the rest. The small business that demonstrates innovation, leadership, thoughtful business planning, and growth potential will be recognized and felicitated with this honor.
- Small Business of the Year – 2022 (Up to 10 employees)
- The Small Business of the Year Award is given to small-scale businesses with less than 10 employees who have shown exceptional growth in the past two years. The company that will receive this award will have demonstrated leadership, innovation, growth in profits, and a brilliant business plan for the future throughout the year. The judges will consider aspects such as a solid financial base, growth potential, peer recognition, and innovative business approach for the winner of this award.
- Small Business of the Year – 2022 (Up To 50 Employees)
- The Business of the Year Award is given to a small business that has less than 100 employees. The company that will receive this award will have demonstrated leadership, innovation, growth in profits, and an innovative business plan for the future throughout the year. The judges will consider aspects such as a solid financial base, growth potential, peer recognition, and innovative business approach for the winner of this award.
- Black Entrepreneur of the Year – 2022
- This award goes out to recognize the efforts of a person of color who is also a successful entrepreneur and has paved space for themselves through their hard work and dedication to their craft. Belonging from a minority community, black entrepreneurs have had to face the many hardships and struggles in the business landscape but that hasn’t deterred them from scaling new heights. Whether it’s in logistics, tech, retail, or finance, this entrepreneur shows why you should never give up on your goals. This award is to highlight this individual’s achievement and their immense contribution to the Canadian economy.
- Best Business Innovation
- Innovation plays a key role when it comes to the winner of this award. The Business Innovation of the Award is given to the company that has implemented strategies and products that signify outside-of-the-box thinking. Whether it’s in the form of their management strategies, their business models, product design and manufacturing techniques, or marketing strategy, this award recognizes innovation in all aspects. The judges are looking for a business that has defied conservative ways of thinking in their business strategy and seen an evident, positive impact as a result.
- Startup business of the Year – 2022
- The Best New Business Award recognizes start-up companies that have shown significant promise through their growth and successful business strategy. Entrepreneurs will be asked to show how their new business has scaled since its launch and how well they are doing in comparison to other start-ups. Evidence of the success and a demonstration of a solid business plan for growth will be among the aspects that the judges will consider for the winner.
- Inspirational Leader of the Year
- The Inspirational Leader of the Year Award recognizes an entrepreneur who has demonstrated authentic leadership despite a million challenges. Passionate and creative, they take the initiative and think outside the box when running their business and managing their team. Through their strong leadership skills, innovative management strategies, and entrepreneurial spirit, the winner of this award will be an inspiration for all entrepreneurs to follow.
- Digital & E-commerce Business of the Year Award
- Organizations that have demonstrated significant success by providing their consumers with an outstanding online experience will be recognized through this award. Digital innovation, increase in financial performance, and the successful use of e-commerce to achieve business growth are among the aspects that the judges will be considered for the Digital & E-Commerce Business of the Year winner.
- The Best Team of the Year
- Behind every successful entrepreneur is a team of employees who work hard to make the company a success. No company is successful without employees that are not passionate about their work. Therefore, the Best Team of the Year Award recognizes a company with a successful team of hard-working employees that have supported their leader and ensured that their goals are met and results are achieved. Judges are looking for employees who are passionate, innovative, result-driven, and supportive of their leaders.
- Business Woman of the Year
- The Business Woman of the Year Award is meant to recognize and award the determination and success of a woman entrepreneur who made it in the stringent business world. Judges are looking for a female entrepreneur who has demonstrated how she has successfully overcome challenges to build a robust and thriving company.
- Technopreneur of the Year Award
- Technology is the way of the future and businesses who strategically embrace technology will be recognized through the Technopreneur of the Year Award. Entrepreneurs who use innovative ways to find solutions to several business problems and embrace it in their business operations will be considered in this category. Judges are looking for businesses who embraced technology by implementing it in their business practices that have positively impacted their cost-effectiveness and resulting in substantial business growth opportunities.
- Fastest Growing Company
- Businesses that have shown exceptional growth in sales, profits, market shares, customers, and employment are a perfect match for this honor. With change comes workload expansion, lack of inventory, resources, employment, and funds. The entrepreneur that has shown their ability to successfully overcome these challenges by intelligent business planning and implementing strategies to avoid high-growth issues deserves recognition. Therefore, the organization that has demonstrated rapid growth throughout the year due to its business strategy despite the unprecedented scenarios that they faced will be felicitated with the Fastest Growing Company Award.
- Best Place to Work
- Businesses that prioritize creating a healthy work environment for their employees will be recognized for the Best Place to Work Award. It’s a known fact that employees who are happy at work perform better. Additionally, people working in a diverse and inclusive workspace take cues from their experiences to bring forth some sustainable and amazing ideas. This not only adds to the inventiveness and innovations but also aids in the growth of any company. Their award recognizes the efforts of this progressive organization that has taken unmatched steps towards promoting an inclusive and diverse culture. Therefore, companies that focus on providing a work environment that is healthy, inclusive, and peaceful will be felicitated with this honour.
- Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year
- Despite being a comparatively new person in the game and after overcoming many challenges and hurdles that came their way, individuals who were still successful in establishing a thriving business are felicitated with the Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Companies that have shown significant growth and success throughout the year will be recognized under this category. Immigrating to a new country has several challenges, and starting a business in a foreign country is even more challenging. Therefore, their award is a bid to recognize the efforts of such entrepreneurs who built a robust and growing company from scratch.
- Best Professional Services
- Companies nominated under this category must showcase exemplary and excellent customer service, business growth, innovation, and personal development. A wide range of professional services is considered under this category, such as legal, financial, hospitality, and retail. There are very specific criteria that judges take into consideration and organizations that have demonstrated the ability to successfully build and manage a thriving business are felicitated with this honor.
- Best Business Support Organization
- The Best Business Support Organization Award is bestowed to company’s that have supported businesses and entrepreneurs as they navigated the path of entrepreneurship. Whether by providing a helping hand in their time of need or by providing tools and resources that contributed to the business’s success, the Best Business Support Organization Award is meant to recognize all such efforts. All organizations (non-profit or for-profit) are eligible to apply under this category if they have supported Canadian businesses by contributing their resources and expertise.
- The Diversity and Inclusion Award (2022)
- This year’s Diversity and Inclusion Award goes to a business that has demonstrated excellence in living and promoting behaviours that demonstrate diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence.
- This award encourages businesses to embrace cultural differences and build relationships with diverse communities.
- It is important for businesses to actively work towards creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and culture, as this will benefit everyone involved. By doing so, they are also setting themselves up as leaders in the industry.
- By demonstrating these qualities, businesses can create a more inclusive workplace for all employees. The award is dedicated to celebrating the successes of businesses that have positively impacted their communities.
- Tech Business of the Year Award
- The Tech Business of the Year Award is a “competitive award” given to businesses that have gone above and beyond in their innovation.
- The Tech Business of the Year Award is given to a company that has demonstrated excellence in technology and innovation. The award is presented to the company that has made the most significant contribution to the advancement of technology.
- The Tech Business of the Year Award is among the most prestigious honours in the tech industry. It’s given to the company that has had the biggest impact on the industry over the past year.
- The company must have made significant contributions to the advancement of technology and must be a leader in its field.
- The Sustainable Business Award
- Small Businesses that demonstrate a commitment to environmental and social responsibility are honoured with the Sustainable Business Award. The award honours businesses working to make the world more sustainable through their goods, services, or activities. Businesses must be small (fewer than 500 employees) and have been in operation for at least three years to be eligible for the award. A demonstrated dedication to sustainability, innovation, and growth is also required. The CanadianSME Small Business Magazine bestows the award each year. The award recognizes small businesses’ achievements that pave the path to a more sustainable future.
For more information, visit CanadianSME Small Business Awards.