International Awards Blog

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

If you haven't yet done so, you can request your entry kit here. The entry kit contains all of the information you'll need to be able to prepare and submit entries to this year's IBAs.

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

We are also pleased to announce that the second annual People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies will coincide with this year's International Business Awards. All organizations that are honored with Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie® Award trophies in the IBAs' 34 Company of the Year categories will automatically be included in People's Choice voting, which will open to the general public worldwide in late July and run through mid-September. People's Choice winners will receive a special People's Choice Stevie Award trophy allowing for honorees in the Company of the Year categories to have the opportunity to receive a second award, as voted by the general public.

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. 

Final results of this year's IBAs will now be announced in mid-August, with the awards presented at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on Monday, 15 October.

Need last minute help? Contact us at help@stevieawards.com and we'll direct you to categories that are right for your organization.

The final extended entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition is 18 July. 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.

Final results of this year's IBAs will now be announced in mid-August, with the awards presented at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on Monday, 15 October.

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.

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. 

Not sure where to start? All IBA entries are submitted directly online through your account. You can begin by registering here.

We've just published a new video entitled How to Enter The 2012 International Business Awards.  Watch it here:

The brief video offers a comprehensive overview of the IBAs, including:

• The history of The International Business Awards,
• The 2012 IBA schedule,
• How to review and select categories,
• How to prepare and submit entries,
• How the judging process works, and
• Best practices.

If you're not familiar with The International Business Awards, they are one of the four Stevie® Awards competitions, and they honor achievements in the workplace at organizations worldwide.  They offer many categories for management awards, overall company awards, marketing awards, public relations awards, human resources awards, new product awards, website awards, video awards, live event awards, and more.

The final entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards is 18 July.

Learn more and get your IBA entry kit at http://www.stevieawards.com/iba. 

Final Deadline for World’s Top Business Honors Extended to 18 July 

Fairfax, VA USA  – 25 June, 2012 – The Stevie® Awards, organizers of The Ninth Annual International Business Awards, the world’s premier business awards competition, announced today that the final entry deadline for the competition has been extended to Wednesday, 18 July.

All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – may submit nominations to The International Business Awards.  No additional late penalties or fees will be charged in association with the deadline extension. 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

Final results of this year's IBAs will now be announced in mid-August, with the awards presented at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on Monday, 15 October.

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 be automatically included in people’s choice voting, which will open in late July.

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. 

Wednesday, 27 June is the final entry deadline for The 9th Annual International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition

If you haven't yet submitted your 2012 entries, you can submit them directly online through your account. You can begin by registering here.

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

We are also pleased to announce that the second annual People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies will coincide with this year's International Business Awards. All organizations that are honored with Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie® Award trophies in the IBAs' 34 Company of the Year categories will automatically be included in People's Choice voting, which will open to the general public worldwide in late July and run through mid-September. People's Choice winners will receive a special People's Choice Stevie Award trophy allowing for honorees in the Company of the Year categories to have the opportunity to receive a second award, as voted by the general public.

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. 

Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions about how to prepare and submit entries to The 2012 International Business Awards. Email us at help@stevieawards.com or call us at + 1 703-547-8389.

As the final entry deadline for The 2012 International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition, approaches on 27 June, we wanted to highlight five additional ways you can win awards in the 2012 IBAs.

A new addition to the' repertory of awards in 2012 are five best-of-competition prizes that will awarded to the organizations that submit the best body of work to the competition, in their own name or in the names of one or more clients. New business award recognitions include:

1. Organization of the Year:   Will be awarded to the organization with the highest overall point total in the IBAs.  The organization may be large or small, public or private, for profit or non-profit.
2. Public Relations Agency of the Year:  Will be awarded to the PR agency network or shop with the highest overall point total, earned in its own name or in the name of one or more clients.
3. Marketing Agency of the Year:  Will be awarded to the marketing services agency network or shop with the highest overall point total, earned in its own name or in the name of one or more of its clients.
4. Interactive Services Agency of the Year:  Will be awarded to the web, interactive, app development, etc. services firm with the highest overall point total, earned in its own name or in the name of one or more clients.
5. Top 10: Will be awarded to the 10 organizations with the most award points in the 2012 IBAs.

These awards cannot be applied for directly. Winners will be determined by a points system based on the total number of awards won in the IBAs, with a  Gold Stevie win counting for 3 points, a Silver Stevie for 2 points, and a Bronze Stevie counting for 1.5. 

Overall point winners in the five categories will be awarded the exclusive right to use a unique Best of the 2012 IBAs logo.

Have questions about the best-of-competition prizes? Email us at help@stevieawards.com or call us at + 1 703-547-8389.

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.