PRESENTING SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Torch Awards for

Marketplace Ethicstrust • performance • integrity

entry form 2009

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. In this spirit, your BBB conducts an annual

awards program to gain public recognition for businesses and

organizations that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their

business practices in an ethical fashion. Each year, companies of

different sizes are selected through a regional competition to receive

a Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Winning entries will then be

forwarded to the Council of Better Business’s 2010 International

Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics 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 to ensure that our

marketplace remains fair and honorable. Every winner and finalist

of a BBB Torch Award has an unprecedented opportunity for public

recognition and well-deserved visibility.

what are the torch awards for marketplace ethics?

The Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics is open to

all businesses and organizations that service San Diego

and/or Imperial County markets. Companies must

be in good standing with the BBB; however, BBB

Accreditation is not a requirement for entry

or consideration.

For your entry to be considered the following

five-steps must be met:

1 Prepare your entry, addressing all four criteria and include summary

2 Complete the entry form

3 Submit the entry fee

4 List references

5 Sign the compliance statement

who is eligible?

Candidates for the Better Business Bureau’s 2009 Torch Award for

Marketplace Ethics will be evaluated by a panel of judges from the

business and academic community who are independent of the

Better Business Bureau. The judges may request additional

information. The decisions of the judges are final. The four

criteria will be judged equally, each carrying a maximum point

value of ten, for a total of 40 points.

who judges the awards?

➺ Pertinent sections from an employee handbook, company manual or training program (formal or informal) showing how the company’s commitment to exceptional standards are communicated to and implemented by employees

➺ A vision, mission or core values statement describing the company’s commitment to exceptional standards thatbenefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surrounding communities

➺ Formal training and/or 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/or work place practices contributing to the quality of family life

➺ Actions taken to assess and mitigate risks, and prevent workplace injury

➺ Examples of sound environmentalpractices

➺ Examples of operational practices focused on security and privacy issues – on and offline

➺ Illustrations of your company’s commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace (i.e. customer service program, employee relation policy or practice, vendor/supplier relationship, etc.)

➺ Existence of Ombudsman, Compliance Office or Ethics Officer (a person who investigates and attempts to resolve complaints and problems, maintains the ethics culture, responsible for being one of the key knowledge and contact points on issues relating to corporate principles and ethics).

1 management practices*

➺ Examples of the company’s vision,mission and/or core values statement in action – describing how the company’s beliefs have been leveraged for the benefit of consumers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surrounding communities

➺ Company policies and practices that demonstrate accountability and responsibility to communities, investors and other stakeholder audiences

➺ Corporate governance practices address accountability and responsibility to shareholders

➺ Complimentary feedback from customers, vendors, suppliers and /or community leaders

➺ Actions taken by the company demonstrating service “beyond thecall of duty”

➺ Brief case study examples of circumstances inwhich the company made tough decisions that had negative short-term consequences, but created long-term value and benefits

➺ Examples of, and results produced by pro bono work

➺ Examples of the company working closely within the community and making a positive social impact – and any recognition for charitable and/or community service projects and ethics).

2 community/investor/stakeholder relations

➺ Descriptions of methods the company uses to ensure all sales, promotionalmaterials and advertisements are truthful and accurate

➺ Sales training policies and/or 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 company, its products and services

➺ Examples of internal communications practices benefiting employees and contributing to overall company effectiveness and efficiency

3 communications and marketing practices

step 1 preparing your entryA company should demonstrate its superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surrounding communities. The company must provide supporting documentation 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 bullet points are required to be addressed in order for a company to compete.

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 judging criteria, and include materials that speak to the firm’s strengths regarding each of the criteria. Judges will not review video, DVD, CD or Web-based products.

Along with addressing the four criteria listed below, entries must also include a two-page summary (max) that: ➺ Explains why the company merits consideration for the award

➺ Highlights specific business and management practices relevant to the award

➺ Illustrates the company’s commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace

➺ Explains the company’s position on integrity and standards of conduct in relationships with all stakeholders – including a formally adopted policy or mission statement.

➺ Media coverage reflecting the company’s industry and community reputation as a trustworthy business

➺ Awards, recognition and/or complimentary letters from within the company’s industry, trade group or community

4 industry reputation *Note: Owners of companies with no employees must explain how

a personal commitment to exceptional standards is

applied in business practices.

Company Name

Company began business in San Diego or Imperial County on

Website Address Email Address

Product / Service

President / Owner

Street Address City Zip

Telephone ( ) Fax ( )

I would like to enter the 2009 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics competition in the following category:

■■ 1-4 Employees ■■ 11-24 Employees ■■ 100-249 Employees ■■ 500+ Employees

■■ 5-10 Employees ■■ 25-99 Employees ■■ 250-499 Employees ■■ Charity/Non-Profit

This Official Entry is being submitted by:

Name Title

Telephone ( ) Fax ( )

Relationship to company being entered

These fees help fund the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics Scholarship Program:

■■ Check Enclosed for $25 ■■ Please Charge $25 to My Credit Card ■■ MC ■■ Visa ■■ American Express

Card Number Exp. Date Passcode

Name on Card

Signature

step 2 entry form

step 3 entry fee

entry deadline:september 4, 2009, 5pm

Need Help? Call Andrea McNelis at (858) 637-6199Your BBB offers free, one hour “How to Enter the Torch Awards” workshops.

Call (858) 637-6199 for more information and upcoming workshop dates.

Company, Customer or Client Name Address Telephone

1. ( )

2. ( )

3. ( )

4. ( )

5. ( )

Suppliers

1. ( )

2. ( )

3. ( )

4. ( )

5. ( )

We understand that the judges may request a site visit. We agree to host the visit and to facilitate an open and unbiased examination. We also understandthat by signing this application we certify our compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations governing our business or industry. We furtherunderstand that any government action must be disclosed in the entry. Any misstatement of material fact may justify recession of the award. Presentingsponsors are not eligible to enter contest. We agree that we will abide by BBB guidelines for referencing the BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in anyadvertising or public announcement.

Please send entries and supporting materials to the Better Business Bureau, 5050 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123. Entry forms are alsoavailable online, at www.bbb.org. All submitted entries become property of the San Diego BBB. Winners’ entries cannot be returned.

Authorizing Official (Please Print Name) Title

Signature Date

step 4 references

step 5 compliance statement

The Better Business Bureau5050 Murphy Canyon RoadSuite 110San Diego, CA 92123

858.637.6199or visit bbb.org

2008 winners and finalists:

1-4 employessHerr Photography, Winner

Velocity Audio Visual Services, Finalist Coastal Payroll Services, Finalist

5-10 employeesMurray Lampert Construction, Winner

VanBerg Construction, FinalistALM Window & Door Inc, Finalist

11-24 employeesK-CO Construction Company, Winner

Groovy Like a Movie, Finalist

25-99 employeesMarrokal Construction, Winner

Anderson Plumbing Heating & Air, FinalistAction Air Conditioning & Heating, Finalist

100-249 employeesJW Floor Covering, Winner

Frank Motors, Finalist Toyota of El Cajon, Finalist

250-499 employeesSkillStorm Commercial Services, Winner

charity/non-profitFresh Start Surgical Gifts, Winner

United Through Reading, Finalist