2017 Torch Awards for Ethics Entry Packet

Preparation Workshop: BBB will offer free workshops at its Burnsville office to assist nominees and representatives of their companies in assembling Torch Awards for Ethics entry packets. Nominees may choose one of the two workshop sessions to attend: June 8, 2017; 10:30-11:30 a.m. OR June 15, 2017; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Workshop participants must pre-register for these sessions at www.thefirstbbb.org/events.

CONGRATULATIONS! Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics recognize and publicly acknowledge companies who display an outstanding level of ethics, customer service and integrity in all aspects of their operations. These companies generate a high level of trust among their employees, customers and their communities. This award embodies BBB’s mission of advancing marketplace trust.

Eligibility and Award CategoriesThe Torch Awards for Ethics is open to all for-profit businesses of any size in Minnesota and North Dakota. Nominees must be in good standing with BBB; however, BBB Accreditation (membership) is not a requirement.

Companies entering the 2017 Torch Awards for Ethics competition will be judged in one of four categories based on their number of employees:

Category I: Companies with 1-10 employeesCategory II: Companies with 11-50 employeesCategory III: Companies with 51-175 employeesCategory IV: Companies with over 175 employees

ExclusionsA company is not eligible to compete if any of the following conditions apply:- They have been in business less than 3 years- They have earned less than a “B” rating from BBB- There are indications they have not met their

financial obligations- They have won this award in the past three years

Judging ProcessEntries for the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics will be reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges independent of BBB and its Board of Directors.

Criteria for selection are based on the six “Principles of Trust!” established by BBB. If your company has been the subject of a major lawsuit, including class action suits, or adverse government actions in the past three years, this information must be disclosed as part of your entry and will be taken into account. Decisions made by the judges are final.

Key DatesPreparation Workshops: June 8, 2017 (10:30-11:30 a.m.) and June 15, 2017 (2:00-3:00 p.m.)Entry Deadline: July 24, 2017 by 4:00 p.m.Award Ceremony: October 25, 2017, 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. U.S. Bank Stadium

Questions? Contact Mackenzie Kelley at Mackenzie.Kelley@thefirstbbb.org or 651-695-2482

Submission RequirementsYour business must submit one hard copy of the entry packet to BBB, as well as an electronic copy. Follow these steps to complete your entry:

1. Complete the enclosed entry form. Your signed entry form attests that your company is in full compliance with all laws and has not incurred adverse government action, nor engaged in any other business conduct which would reflect negatively on the company or BBB.

2. Address the questions in each of the six sections listed on the following page.

3. Provide three references from one of each: customer, vendor and community partner.

4. Include evidence of financial integrity such as a current credit report, a bank reference, vendor reference or a Dunn & Bradstreet report.

5. Use tabs to separate the binder into seven sections (one for each criteria and another for references and financial documents). Videos, DVD or CD media will not be reviewed.

6. Include any supporting documents (examples of policies, manuals, communications, etc) in the correlating sections.

7. Include company name on the cover and spine of the binder.

8. Submit one hard copy of your entry to BBB. The entry must be in a 1-inch, 3-ring binder.

9. Submit your electronic copy of your completed entry to thefirstbbb.org/ta-entry.

10. Please retain a copy of your completed entry. All submitted entries become the property of BBB and cannot be returned.

11. Mail or drop off your completed entry to: Better Business Bureau ATTN: Mackenzie Kelley 220 S. River Ridge Circle Burnsville, MN 55337

The official Torch Awards for Ethics entry deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017.

2017 TORCH AWARDS FOR ETHICS - ENTRY GUIDELINESA company should demonstrate its commitment to high ethical standards of behavior and provide documentation in all of the six sections noted below. We understand that each company is unique and has different needs, experience and policies. It is not necessary to address all of the suggested content in each of the six sections, they are merely provided as illustrations of possible content to demonstrate that criteria. We encourage you to find examples of your leaders’/organization’s practices that best exemplify each, or any, of the six Principles of Trust!

For each section provide a narrative summary that addresses the content or questions asked.

Section 1: Transformation at the TopInclude a letter from the CEO/President or Owner that includes a personal statement of their commitment to ethical business practices.

Suggestions for content:- A statement of the leader’s or leadership team’s personal code of ethics and how this code became significant- Participation in workshops/conferences or training in ethics- Examples of ethical challenges faced and how they were resolved- Examples of any public statement (speech, advertising or publication) of the leader’s commitment to ethics- How the leaders are transparent, value candor or receive feedback from the organization, vendors or customers

Section 2: Reinforce and BuildDescribe how your organization uses internal and external communication and/or activities that help your organization intentionally build and maintain an ethical culture and practice.

Suggestions for content:- How new employees are informed and/or trained in the company’s ethical policies- How the CEO/President/Owner’s personal code of ethics is communicated to employees, vendors or customers- Tools or activities that model, mentor, teach and reinforce defined character ethics as part of management communications/practices- Use of a character code or content in staff meetings- Vendor relations manuals, customer policies and stakeholder relations procedures (narrative description only)- How ethical behaviors of employees are identified and recognized

Section 3: Unite the TeamDescribe how your organization’s vision/mission statement is put into practice. Provide if desired, copies of any organizational statements such as ‘Vision’, ‘Mission’, ‘Core’, or ‘Business Values’ in the supporting document section with pertinent section highlighted.

Suggestions for content:- A description of how these statements are shared with existing and potential employees- Measurements your organization routinely uses to gauge progress or adherence of vision and mission- Description of how you solicit feedback collected from the marketplace and staff and how you use this information to make

adjustments to your organization’s practices to better match the vision/mission- How recognition/celebration or other practices are used to unite employees and reinforce the mission or values- Compensation systems/factors that help to unite employees- Examples of training and policies that assist employees in carrying out ethical practices and behaviors

Section 4: Steer PerformanceDescribe how your organization implements the best management practices and encourages employees to pursue and develop expertise in their areas of responsibility.

Suggestions for content:- Establishment of annual goals and targets for the organization- Clear measurements to evaluate progress and adjust plans to accomplish goals- Establishment of department or individual objectives or targets, Including timeframes and responsibilities- Practices using performance information to encourage, guide and motivate- Accountability and compensation systems for high performance- Rewards and recognition that integrate performance and high character or ethical behavior

Section 5: Treasure PeopleDescribe how your human resource practices prepare, support, recognize and provide opportunities for growth in both competency and ethical behavior for staff members.

Suggestions for content:- Hiring practices that ensure people are hired for character- Unique systems and processes for training and preparing staff- Description of practices and procedures to resolve ethical issues- Organizational disciplinary practices for low character and low competency behaviors- Descriptions of how ethical behaviors of employees are identified and recognized- Description of policies and procedures to ensure employees are treated fairly & respectfully & that workplace safety is assured- Mechanisms or procedures for employees professional development, termination practices and your employee turnover rates- Operational structures or systems that support each employee’s ability to perform

Section 6: Enthusiastically ReinvestDescribe your company’s community support and service activities within your industry and community.

Suggestions for content:- Participation in industry organizations and their activities to promote best practices- Description of how employees are encouraged to and recognized for spending time in community service activities that the

organization values- Description of any contribution of funds, or in-kind services to community programs that is consistent with the organization’s values

and character- Description of how the company’s advertising, operations, risk management, governance and regulatory compliance behaviors are

assessed against proven standards- Proof of achievement with any industry benchmarks for high standards of business excellence

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“The response to our winning the Torch Award has been nothing short of overwhelming. We sent out a short email announcement and the next day, we had hundreds of responses congratulating us on this huge award! It is critical that our partners - from social workers to physicians to nurses - know they can rely on us to take care of each and every senior they refer to us for help, and nothing could drive home the point better than the Torch Award for Ethics from BBB.”Twin Cities Care2016 Torch Award Winner

“Being an award recipient validates to both our employees and customers that they work for and are serviced by an award winning company offering ethical business practices. It reinforces trust in our services and there is a feeling of pride throughout the company, as we can share the nomination and winner status with homeowners we offer service to. The application process itself is a practice that every company should endure. It creates unity within your organization.”Uptown Plumbing, Heating & Cooling2016 Torch Award Winner

“Winning the Torch Award has meant the world to us. There is an overall feeling of pride in workmanship and all things customer service related. We cannot stop telling our customers this amazing news and it’s made all our employees proud to be a part of our team. We would highly recommend applying. The feeling that you get being named a finalist and winner is like nothing else you have felt in your business. Now the public can see what you have been trying to represent all along.”Genz-Ryan 2016 Torch Award Winner

“SPIRE Credit Union is truly humbled and grateful to receive the prestigious BBB Torch Award. Since winning the award, we have received a multitude of feedback from our members, employees & the community, recognizing SPIRE for our efforts, and praising this accomplishment. What we have enjoyed the most is seeing the pride in our employees’ faces as they’ve heard the news of SPIRE winning, or when they see that BBB trophy arrive at their branch and are given the honor of placing it on display for all to see. Winning the Torch Award for Ethics has allowed us to show our staff that the community outside SPIRE recognizes what we are doing right. ”SPIRE Credit Union2016 Torch Award Winner

Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakotabbb.org • 800-646-6222

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BBB Institute for Marketplace EthicsBetter Business Bureau’s Institute for Marketplace Ethics (IME) is Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota’s 501(c)(3) educational foundation. The mission of the IME is to provide resources and training on ethics as well as combat marketplace fraud that targets at-risk consumers. Charitable public support allows the IME to provide low cost or free educational programming housed under two centers: BBB Center for Character Ethics and BBB Center for Fraud Prevention. To learn more or to give a secure, tax deductible donation to the BBB Institute for Marketplace Ethics, please visit bbb.org/minnesota/get-involved/donate.