Quality & Excellence Entrepreneur Awards Nomination Form

Quality & Excellence Entrepreneur Awards Nomination Form Nomination Deadline – 5:00 pm – March 16, 2018

OBJECTIVE OF THE QUALITY & EXCELLENCE AWARDS Each year at the Quality and Excellence Awards Gala, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) recognizes 6 small businesses in the North Texas region that have exhibited innovation, community involvement and dedication, are trend setters, an d have set the bar for others to follow.

CATEGORIES OF AWARD WINNERS Groundbreaker Award: up to 10 employees Pioneering and entering into new markets, these organizations have the visionary concepts and pragmatic strategies for translating an idea from vision to reality. Pacesetter Award – 11 to 50 employees Setting the example for best practices, these businesses are paving the way in their industry, community and corporate responsibility. Trendsetter Award – 51 to 100 employees By creating new ways to support the economic development of North Texas, these organizations are redefining how to do business responsibly or designing a scalable method for growing their businesses. Innovator Award – 101 to 200 employees Taking an idea and putting an original spin on it is the heart of business creation; these companies take it one step further and show it can be done in a revolutionary and inspiring method. Empire Builder Award – 201 to 300+ employees By leading the way in a post-recession economy, these organizations are building successive revenue, impressive employee growth and developing remarkable community efforts. Minority/Women Business Enterprise Award (1-300+ employees) Whether small or large, these fast-growing and innovative companies have set the bar for other MWBEs and their respective industry.

CRITERIA AND QUALIFICATIONS: GROUNDBREAKER, PACESETTER, TRENDSETTER, INNOVATOR AND EMPIRE BUILDER AWARDS       

Company must be at minimum 51% Hispanic owned Business must be in existence for a minimum of three years Must be locally owned or locally owned franchise Must have employee base designated above Owners/employees must be actively involved in the North Texas community Current GDHCC Board of Directors are not eligible for awards At the time the finalist receives the award, business must be a member of the GDHCC in good standing

CRITERIA AND QUALIFICATIONS: MINORITY /WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AWARD       

Company must be at minimum 51% Women/Minority owned company Business must be in existence for a minimum of three years Must be locally owned or locally owned franchise Must have employee base of 1-300+ Owners/employees must be actively involved in the North Texas community Current GDHCC Board of Directors are not eligible for awards Winning businesses must agree to be members of the GDHCC for one year immediately after receiving award

JUDGING: THE FOLLOWING WILL BE OBTAINED THROUGH AN INTERVIEW WITH THE NOMINEE BY Q & E COMMITTEE MEMBERS.         

Business growth / performance Leadership and successes Sound business strategies and practices Customer service strategies and practices Business challenges and overcoming those obstacles Unique and innovative approaches Community involvement to business community and non-profit affiliations Employee relations Those submitting nominations are strongly encouraged to provide a brief statement for eac h of the judging categories listed above in the narrative section and submit together with the nomination form.

TIMELINE    

March 16, 2018 – Nominations close on this date at 5:00 pm March 19, 2018 – March 23, 2018 – Nominee judging process April 6, 2018 –Quality & Excellence Awards Luncheon-Destination Excellence Winners will be announced prior to Q&E Awards Luncheon

Quality & Excellence Awards Nomination Form Nomination Deadline – 5:00 pm – March 16, 2018

GDHCC Quality & Excellence Nominee – Interview Questionnaire The Q&E Awards recognize and celebrate the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by successful businesses in the Greater Dallas area. The awards are presented at the Q&E Awards Luncheon to be held April 6, 2018 from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Westin Galleria Dallas located on 13340 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75240. Submit this nomination form together with a professional headshot to [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is 5:00 pm, March 16, 2018.

Nomination: Category (select one):

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Groundbreaker

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Pacesetter

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Empire Builder

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Trendsetter

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Innovator

M/WBE

Name of Company: Name of Owner(s): Title(s): Address: Website: Phone Number:

Email Address:

Type of Business (i.e. Wholesaler/ Manufacturing, Retail, Services etc.): Main Product / Service: If Known, Year Established

# of Employees:

Contact Person at Company: Is your organization a member of the GDHCC? If yes, how many years has your organization been a member? Do you accept your nomination for the Q & E Entrepreneur Awards? _____ Yes, move forward with completing the questionnaire _____ No.

Yes______ No______

Justifying Statement: Please answer the following questionnaire regarding your business. Use an additional sheet, if necessary.

Business Growth & Performance Percentage Increase in Revenue 2018 Forecast: 2017: 2016: Jobs Created/Employees Hired 2018 Forecast: 2017: 2016:

Leadership & Success What leadership qualities do you possess that has enabled your company’s sustainability and growth?

What leadership models do you use in your business?

What business achievements are you most proud of?

How has this achievement(s) contributed to your business success?

Sound business strategies and practices What major industry is your business in?

What is your market niche within this industry?

What business strategy or practice has been especially helpful in sustaining or growing your business?

Customer Service Strategies and Practices: In relation to your organization’s customers/clients: What is different about your customer relationships?

What do you think is the main reason(s) they choose to do business with you?

Business Challenges and Overcoming Those Obstacles: What major challenge(s) have you overcome and what made it challenging?

How did overcoming this challenge(s) help you in your business strategies or practices?

Unique and Innovative Approaches What makes your business unique and innovative from other similar businesses?

What other approaches do you use to separate yourself for your competition?

Employee Relations What is unique about your relationship with your employees?

What would your employees say is the best thing about working with you as opposed to others and in the market:

Community Involvement – Business Community and Non-Profit Affiliations Describe your involvement with the GDHCC, other chambers of commerce or other business associations/organizations over the last three years.

What is your involvement with community organizations that allow you to give back?

Do you encourage your employees to be involved in the GDHCC or other business or community organizations ?

Is there anything additional that you would like to share with us, or that you would like us to consider regarding your nomination? (

Nomination packet must be submitted by 5:00 pm on March 16, 2018. The nomination packet may be submitted via email [email protected].

Extra page in case needed.