International Awards Blog

The final entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition, is 27 June.

All individuals and organizations worldwide may submit nominations to the IBAs. All IBA entries are submitted directly online through your account. You can begin by registering here.

The International Business Awards honor all facets of the workplace, our award categories include: annual report awards, app awards, company/organization awards, customer service awards, human resources awards, information technology awards, management awards, marketing awards, new product awards, public relations awards, support awards, and website awards, among others. See all corporate awards categories.

Winners of the competition will be celebrated at the ninth annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. 

The 8^th Annual International Business Awards were presented in October 2011 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.  Honorees included American Express, Bombardier, Inc., Etisalat, Everything Everywhere, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Siemens AG, TATA Motors, Tesco Poland, Toyota Motor Corporation, Turk Telekom, and Unilever N.V., among others.  2011 results are summarized at http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/iba/awards/408_2219_21081.cfm. 

Need help answering  your 2012 IBA questions?  Email us at help@stevieawards.com or call us at + 1 703-547-8389.

Shaun Battlemann is CEO of African Access Holdings in Durban, South Africa, and Chair of the committee for final judging of the management awards categories in The 2012 International Business Awards. (The final entry deadline for the 2012 IBAs is 27 June. If you haven't already done so, you can request your entry kit today.) Here we talk to Shaun about his tips for operating a business in South Africa.

What are your top 3 tips for companies operating in South Africa?

1. Before doing business in South Africa, you should fully understand and accept the political, social, and cultural challenges within the South African workplace.

2. Think outside the box.

3. Use South African solutions for South African challenges.

What item of news recently caught your eye and why?
The Annie Dewani murder case: I have been fascinated by the media coverage generally and their ability to drive everyday thought processes.

What is your favorite app?
News 24. This is an invaluable South African online news resource, accessible via the web, on DStv, and as a mobile phone app.

If you could choose another profession, what would it be?
Entrepreneurial advocacy.

What quality or qualities do you most value in your business associates?
Applying the expression “No Bridge Too Far” to everyday work, and the uniquely African sense that there is a God.

As someone at the top of your profession, what keeps you inspired or makes you hit the ground running in the morning?
There is a GOD!

About Shaun Battlemann:
In 2003, Shaun founded African Access Holdings, a diversified investment company that acts as a springboard for black emergent entrepreneurs. The company was formed as the result of a challenge from the South African National Department of Education to provide Learner/Teacher Support Material (LTSM) in an accountable and verifiable manner. In addition to serving as CEO of African Access Holdings, Shaun serves as a director on the boards of some 50 companies across the country including LND Projects, Edu Management Solution, Prop Access, Ndabi Investment, Edu Access Holdings, African Access International, Chanti Travel, CJM Property Developments, and African Access Agriculture.

About African Access Holdings:
African Access Holdings mentors black-owned SMMEs, creating jobs, developing skills, and giving back to the nation.  Founded in 2003, African Access Holdings was listed by 2005 as a Top 300 Performing Company in South Africa. In 2007 it had become a Top 200 Performing Company. In 2009, Shaun Battlemann and African Access Holdings won Metropolitan Oliver Awards for Top Black Entrepreneur of the Year, Top New & Innovative Empowered Company, and Top Black Empowered Business of the Year. In 2010, the company received Van Ryn’s BBQ Awards for Businessman of the Year, for Corporate Social Investment, and for Community Builder of the Year. In 2011, African Access Holdings was named Entrepreneurial Company of the Year in the Black Management Forum.  The company also received Stevie Awards for Executive of the Year, Company of the Year, and a People's Choice Award in The 2011 International Business Awards. In 2012 African Access won a gold category International Arch of Europe Award for quality and technology. For more information, go to www.africanaccessholdings.co.za.

27 June is the final entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition.

All individuals and organizations worldwide -- public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small -- may submit nominations to the IBAs. If you haven't already done so, you can request your entry kit here and you will receive it right away.

The International Business Awards recognize achievement in every facet of the workplace. Types of award categories include:

• Company/Organization Awards 
• Customer Service Awards
• Human Resources Awards
• Information Technology Awards
• Management Awards
• Marketing Awards Categories
• New Product Awards
• Public Relations Awards
• Support Awards
• Web Site Awards, Smartphone and Tablet App, and other media awards

The 2012 International Business Awards will include the Second Annual People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies, in which the general public worldwide will vote for their favorite companies. Finalists in the company of the year categories will automatically have the opportunity to win two awards: a Stevie® Award, as voted by your peers, and a crystal People's Choice Stevie Award, as voted by your customers.

Winners of the competition will be celebrated at the ninth annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. 

Not sure how to begin? All IBA entries are submitted directly online through your account; you can begin by registering here.

Martha Hooper, Principal of Hooper Consulting International in Istanbul, Turkey, is the international representative for the Stevie® Awards in Turkey, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. (The final entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition is 27 June. All individuals and organizations worldwide may submit nominations to the IBAs. If you haven't already done so, you can request your entry kit here.)

According to Martha: “International reputation-building is key to growth in Turkish businesses … and businesses around the world.”  As the Principal of Hooper Consulting International in Istanbul, Martha knows that it takes more than advertising and public relations to make an impact in the global community, and the objective of her company is to provide a fresh approach to business growth in virtually all sectors through international awards.

Martha has successfully represented the Stevie Awards in Turkey for the past several years. She also represents the Stevies in a number of central, southern, and Mediterranean European countries, including Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

Martha has the following tips for companies seeking to do business in Turkey:

1. The key to success in business in Turkey is to keep in mind that in the Turkish work culture “it’s all personal.” It is common to enjoy personal relationships with company team members, suppliers, and consultants. 

2. There seems to be a soft veil of vulnerability around men and women alike, so Turkish executives and workers tend to be highly emotional and can be easily offended by direct communications and criticism.

3. Business protocol in Turkey follows certain social rules that are similar to hosting a guest in one’s own home: a gracious welcome, tea, a chat about non-business matters before getting down to the subject at hand, and finally walking guests to the elevator door after a meeting.

Martha comments: “Turkey is a rare gem, a vibrant place to be these days. With its dynamic, well-educated, and young population, the future looks very bright.  Turkey today plays a critical role in the affairs both of the Middle East and Europe. Its stable government and growing economy (the second fastest after China) combine to make it a haven for business in this part of the world.”

About Martha Hooper:
Martha Hooper owns and operates Hooper Consulting International, where she provides a multi-disciplinary range of international reputation-building services gained through decades of experience on both the client and agency side. Martha has handled a diverse portfolio of assignments, projects, and campaigns in a broad range of products and services. She has expertise in the telecommunications, financial services, travel, and retail industries through her work in corporate communications, public relations, advertising, social media, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility. Martha has lived between Boston and Istanbul for the past 15 years. She has an idyllic home on an island in the Marmara Sea that she shares with her husband, Ali Erdogan Agca, a well-known Turkish jazz musician. Martha speaks fluent English, French, Spanish, and Turkish.

About Hooper Consulting International:
Hooper Consulting International offers services in international awards management, corporate communications, and investor relations. The organization helps companies frame, position, prepare, and submit their nominations to The Stevie Awards’ international competitions, including The International Business Awards, The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. For more information, visit www.hooperconsultinginternational.com.

The final entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition, is quickly approaching on 27 June. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – may submit nominations to the IBAs. If you haven't yet done so, you can request your entry kit here.

The International Business Awards honors all facets of the workplace, our award categories include: annual report awards, app awards, company/organization awards, customer service awards, human resources awards, information technology awards, management awards, marketing awards, new product awards, public relations awards, support awards, and website awards, among others. See all corporate awards categories.

All IBA entries are submitted directly online through your account. You can begin by registering here.

The 2012 International Business Awards will include the Second Annual People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies, in which the general public worldwide will vote for their favorite companies. Each company honored with a Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie Award in The International Business Awards’ company of the year categories will automatically be included in people’s choice voting, which will open in late July.

Winners of the competition will be celebrated at the ninth annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. 

Have questions about the 2012 IBAs? Email us at help@stevieawards.com  or call us at + 1 703-547-8389 and we'll get back to you right away.

Preliminary judging will take place in May-June for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards, and you're invited to participate.

If you're a working professional with experience in your discipline, you'll be assigned categories related to your expertise. The IBAs have many different categories: app awards, customer service awards, HR awards, marketing awards, new product awards, PR awards, website awards, and more. See the introduction and application page on the IBA web site. 

Anyone can apply to participate in the preliminary judging of the Stevie® Awards. Interested? Apply online today. If your application is accepted you'll be able to judge online, at your convenience, in May-June 2012.

Being a preliminary round judge has many benefits including:

1. Judging is a great badge of honor to put on your resume or CV.  Active judges are always acknowledged on the awards web site (here's the list of the 2011 judges) and in the awards dinner program.
2. You'll get to read and evaluate a lot of great success stories in your field, whether it's customer service or sales, and there's no better way to measure the pulse of achievement in your professionals, especially when those stories of success are coming from industry leaders. 
3. The two preliminary judges who score the most entries will receive two free tickets to the 9th annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October in Seoul, South Korea.

Have questions about being a preliminary round judge? Contact us at help@stevieawards.com and we'll get back to you right away.

Today is the entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition. All individuals and organizations worldwide -- public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small -- may submit nominations to the IBAs.

If you haven't already done so, you can request your entry kit here and you will receive it right away. If you can't make the 16 May entry deadline, we will still accept entries submitted after 16 May, through the final entry deadline of 27 June, with a late fee of $35 in addition to any entry fee.

All IBA entries are submitted directly online through your account and the web site will be open all night to accept your entries. You can begin by registering here.

The International Business Awards honors all facets of the workplace, our award categories include: annual report awards, app awards, company/organization awards, customer service awards, human resources awards, information technology awards, management awards, marketing awards, new product awards, public relations awards, support awards, and website awards, among others. See all corporate awards categories.

Benefits of submitting a business award entry:

1. More chances to win
   The 2012 International Business Awards will include the Second Annual People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies, in which the general public worldwide will vote for their favorite companies. Finalists in the company of the year categories will automatically have the opportunity to win two awards: a Stevie® Award, as voted by your peers, and a crystal People's Choice Stevie Award, as voted by your customers.
2. New award distinctions
   The International Business Awards banquets will showcase our three levels of award distinction: Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Awards. You can learn more about the new awards here.

Resources to help you make the most out of your entries:

1. Read past winners' entries here.
   They're great models for how you should write your entries.
2. 7 tips on submitting winning entries
   Read our tips on how to submit winning entries.

Finalists will be announced in late July and 2012 honorees will be celebrated at the 9th annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October in Seoul, South Korea.

Need help answering  your IBA submission questions?  Email us at help@stevieawards.com  or call us at + 1 703-547-8389 and we'll get back to you right away.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 16 May, is the entry deadline for The 2012 (Ninth Annual) International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition. (If you miss the 16 May deadline, late entries will be accepted through 27 June with payment of a $35/entry late fee.)

All individuals and organizations worldwide -- public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small -- may submit nominations to the IBAs. If you haven't already done so, you can request your entry kit here and you will receive it right away.  

The International Business Awards recognize achievement in every facet of the workplace. Types of award categories include:

• Company/Organization Awards 
• Customer Service Awards
• Human Resources Awards
• Information Technology Awards
• Management Awards
• Marketing Awards Categories
• New Product Awards
• Public Relations Awards
• Support Awards
• Web Site Awards, Smartphone and Tablet App, and other media awards

See the full list of business awards categories.

Finalists will be announced in late July and 2012 honorees will be celebrated at the 9th annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October in Seoul, South Korea.

Have last minute questions regarding your IBA entries?  Email us at help@stevieawards.com  or call us at + 1 703-547-8389 and we'll get back to you right away.

The entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition, is Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

All individuals and organizations worldwide may submit nominations to the IBAs. To begin your submission process, you should:

1. Request an entry kit. 
The entry kit will have all of the information you need regarding entry preparation and submission.

2. Review the 2012 IBA categories.
The International Business Awards honors all facets of the workplace, our award categories include: annual report awards, app awards, company/organization awards, customer service awards, human resources awards, information technology awards, management awards, marketing awards, new product awards, public relations awards, support awards, and website awards, among others. See all corporate awards categories.

3. Submit your entries.
Select your categories, write your submissions according to the instructions, and submit your entries.

The 8^th Annual International Business Awards were presented in October 2011 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.  Honorees included American Express, Bombardier, Inc., Etisalat, Everything Everywhere, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Siemens AG, TATA Motors, Tesco Poland, Toyota Motor Corporation, Turk Telekom, and Unilever N.V., among others.  2011 results are summarized at http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/iba/awards/408_2219_21081.cfm. 

Finalists will be announced in late July and 2012 honorees will be celebrated at the 9th annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October in Seoul, South Korea.

Can't make the 16 May entry deadline? Don't worry, we will still accept entries submitted after 16 May, through the final entry deadline of 27 June, with a late fee of $35 in addition to any entry fee.

16 May Is Entry Deadline for 2012 International Business Awards; Ceremony to Take Place in Seoul, South Korea

Fairfax, VA – 9 May, 2012 – Organizers of The Ninth Annual International Business Awards, the world’s premier business awards competition,  are reminding businesses and individuals that the entry deadline is on 16 May. While the competition is on track to receive a record number of entries, there are still many opportunities for aspiring entrants.

All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – may submit nominations to The International Business Awards.  The entry deadline is Wednesday, 16 May, and late entries will be accepted until 27 June with an additional fee.  Entry details are available at www.stevieawards.com/iba. 

The International Business Awards recognize achievement in every facet of the workplace.  Categories include:

• Management Awards
• Company of the Year Awards
• Customer Service Awards
• Human Resources Awards
• Information Technology Awards
• Marketing Awards
• New Product Awards
• Public Relations Awards
• Web Site Awards, Smartphone and Tablet App, and other media awards

The 2012 International Business Awards will include the Second Annual People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies, in which the general public worldwide will vote for their favorite companies. Each company honored with a Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie Award in The International Business Awards’ company of the year categories will automatically be included in people’s choice voting, which will open in late July.

Winners of the competition will be celebrated at the ninth annual awards banquet on Monday, 15 October at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. 

The 8^th Annual International Business Awards were presented in October 2011 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.  Honorees included American Express, Bombardier, Inc., Etisalat, Everything Everywhere, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Siemens AG, TATA Motors, Tesco Poland, Toyota Motor Corporation, Turk Telekom, and Unilever N.V., among others.  2011 results are summarized at http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/iba/awards/408_2219_21081.cfm. 

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.  Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at http://www.stevieawards.com/, and follow the Stevie Awards on Twitter @TheStevieAwards.