Attend NFIB's Small Business Summit, June 8-11, 2008 in Washington D.C.
www.nfib.com/summit
Get your small business insurance needs met. Get a quote now & save!
www.AAA.com
Search 1000s of LA Office Rentals. Free Advice - Call Toll Free Now.
OfficeBroker.com/LosAngeles
Drive Your Business with Experience from Our Members. Join a TAB Board
www.TABBOARDS.com
Who's Who directory for business executives and professionals.
www.biltmorewhoswho.com
Solutions For Small Business Free MP3 Player Offer – Learn more.
www.Cisco.com
Get Small Business startup tips that will save you time and money!
www.ZeroToSuccess.com
Professional group dedicated to uniting emerging growth businesses across industry lines to promote government action that benefits the investment and entrepreneurial communities and stimulates economic growth.
www.aeeg.com
Body in the UK responsible for developing and promoting fair and ethical franchising through its member companies.
www.british-franchise.org.uk
Information, advice and small-business general assistance provided by the Small Business Service.
www.businessadviceonline.org
Group provides small businesses with a meaningful voice in state and federal government.
www.csba.com
Professional group of entrepreneurs that provides a forum to network with individuals to learn how to initiate, organize and manage new business ventures.
www.aea.ab.ca
A non-profit organization dedicated to assisting young entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground.
www.cybf.ca
UK business organization that ensures government, the European Commission and the wider community understand the needs of British business and the contribution it makes to society.
www.cbi.org.uk
Interactive, community-based organization developed by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Program in Technology and Entrepreneurship to help high-tech and life sciences companies grow, improve the knowledge of the local infrastructu...
www.connect.org
Organization which strives to identify unfulfilled societal needs and to develop, implement and/or fund breakthrough solutions for community building, entrepreneurship, professional development, family support and volunteerism.
www.kauffman.org
Non-profit Silicon Valley trade association fostering, supporting and promoting entrepreneurship among women in the technology and life science businesses.
www.fwe.org
Association working to influence laws and policies that affect private businesses in the UK.
www.fpb.co.uk
Non-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and executives use employee ownership and equity compensation as a fair and effective means of motivating the workforce and improving corporate performance.
www.fed.org
Network for those involved in the formulating, evaluating and delivering of policy toward small businesses in government, business links, higher and further education and business advice services.
www.isbauk.org
Nonprofit professional institute of individual business advisers, counselors, mentors and trainers who specialize in helping small firms.
www.iba.org.uk
Agency for local economic development in Northern Ireland assisting businesses that normally employ fewer than 50 people in the manufacturing and tradeable services sectors.
www.investni.com
Located within the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University, this center provides a combination of education and outreach programs.
hsb.baylor.edu
Center that promotes the growth of entrepreneurship in America. The Entrepreneur Training Institute sponsors education, training and research initiatives targeted to the needs of adult entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship support systems.
www.emkf.org
Madison who's Who specialize in providing members with current biographical information of Executives and Professionals in virtually every industry.
madisonwhoswho.net(Paid)
Provides professionals with the information, education, advocacy and networking resources they need to grow their start-up and small businesses.
www.nbia.org
International nonprofit organization that introduces low-income and at-risk young people to the world of business and entrepreneurship by teaching them how to develop and operate their own legitimate small businesses. Based in New York City.
www.nfte.com
A non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting technology and small business interests to the federal government.
www.nsbc.org
Fosters the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina with education, capital formation, mentoring, and communications programs.
www.cednc.org
Professional group dedicated to helping entrepreneurs get their businesses started.
www.nwvg.org
Fosters healthy family business by preparing clients to balance the well-being of the business with the family and individuals as they address the challenges and opportunities which inevitably arise, day to day and during succession.
www.familybusinessonline.org
Association dedicated to the spirit of entrepreneurship by providing a networking organization that connects entrepreneurs, service professionals, investors, venture capitalists and other funding sources.
www.rockiesventureclub.org
A not-for-profit association that supports and encourages the growth of small business throughout the world.
www.sb2000.com
Provider of news and information and offers a voice for small businesses in the UK.
www.smallbusinessbureau.org.uk
Attend NFIB's Small Business Summit, June 8-11, 2008 in Washington D.C.
www.nfib.com/summit (Paid)
Provider of group health insurance, discounted benefits, products and services, as well as, political action lobbying for businesses, professionals and self-employed individuals nationwide.
contact usfsb | member benefits | health insurance | about usfsb
www.usfsb.com(Paid)
Industry group of Internet and digital media entrepreneurs which provides a networking forum to share resources and experiences in starting a business.
www.startingdigital.com
Networking group organized and run by its members.
www.businessconnection.org.uk
Industry group promoting the success of entrepreneurial ventures, emerging businesses and the growth of entrepreneurship.
www.ventureclub.com
Get your small business insurance needs met. Get a quote now & save!
www.AAA.com
Guide to Small Business Award Programs and Contests
Earning recognition from reputable organizations can boost your corporate image- Provide recognition for outstanding service, innovative product development or community contributions
- Strengthen your business' credibility
- Create an opportunity to put out a press release to local newspapers
- Build name recognition among potential new customers.
There are plenty of awards that may be worth applying for, but here are ones geared to small businesses:
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Apply for corporate awards
Many corporations or institutions have established awards, contests or innovation-recognition programs to acknowledge small business initiatives.
I recommend:
Dell and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), for example, offer the Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award program, which honors small businesses that use information technology in their business practices to improve customer experiences. Additionally, the International Academy of the Visual Arts sponsors the International Davey Awards to distinguish creative excellence among smaller media, advertising and marketing firms.
Apply for professional association awards
Many professional organizations have an annual award that recognizes the leadership, entrepreneurship or commitment of one of its members.
I recommend:
The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both offer such programs.
Apply for government awards
Given the importance small businesses play in the U.S. economy, it's no surprise that that federal and state organizations would want to recognize the movers and shakers in this segment.
I recommend:
The Small Business Association offers a variety of awards and helps coordinate one of the more lucrative research and development grant programs — the Small Business Innovation Research program. In conjunction with the National Compliance Advisory Panel, the National Steering Committee, which represents the nationwide Small Business Ombudsman/Small Business Assistance Programs, has established the Small Business Recognition Awards to mark environmental achievements, stewardship and leadership.
Get recognized by the media
Magazines and newspapers also have some sort of annual 'top companies' list. Although it's tough to get on these lists because of strict editorial criteria, if you do earn a spot, they come with automatic publicity.
I recommend:
Inc. Magazine puts out a top 500 list yearly. Read about the application and selection process. Forbes also has a Top 200 small business list that runs annually but the editors make the picks.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide- Local civic organizations, professional associations or city and state agencies may also have awards that honor businesses for their 'corporate citizenship.'
