I joined the Better Business Bureau last year because using its logo on my homepage really adds to my website’s credibility.
So I was stunned to learn recently that the Wisconsin BBB has to practically beg people to apply for its annual Torch Awards for business ethics and integrity.
I’m applying for the award this year, so I attended a workshop at the Milwaukee office of the BBB recently to learn about the judging criteria and to pick up pointers on how to create a great application package. Even though I’m my own employee, I can enter in the category for companies with 1 to 10 employees.
You can apply, too, even if you’re a nonprofit and even if you don’t belong to the BBB.
In Wisconsin, only about 100 companies applied for the award last year. I was also surprised to learn that some years, the BBB doesn’t get enough good entries in a particular category to even choose a winner.
Are you proud of your ethical business practices? Do you give fabulous customer service? When something goes wrong, do you make it right? Do you subscribe to truth in advertising? Do you foster ethics and integrity within your industry and community? If so, you’re a perfect candidate for this award.
What a great way to generate fabulous publicity in business journals and trade magazines and separate yourself from the Enrons of the world.
The BBB will host workshops during the next few months in communities all over the U.S. and Canada. If you’re thinking of applying for the award, you’d be smart to attend. In Wisconsin, the deadline for applications is Friday, August 17. Winners will be announced at a huge awards banquet in November.
The application process can be tedious and time-consuming. But based on what past winners have said, it’s worth it. Check out the 3-minute clip of past winners talking about what’s happend to them as a result of winning. It can be viewed by those of you who have broadband or dial-up connections.
As I mentioned in my ebook “How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound,” awards are one of the best ways to generate publicity. I’d love to be able to brag about winning this one. Call your local BBB office for details.