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COMPANY PROGRAM AWARDS
COMPANY OF THE YEAR - APPLICATION DETAILS
Purpose
To recognize the company that achieves the best overall performance in all areas of operations. There will be a winner recognized in each of the following Company of the Year categories: Retail/Manufacturing, Technology and Social Enterprise.
Minimum Criteria to Apply
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The company's business plan must have been previously submitted
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The company's final shareholders' report must be submitted by the deadline (April 8, 2022)
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Fixed Costs ($150) and JA Taxes (if applicable) must be paid
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Minimum 80% average attendance rate for the team
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Minimum 220 team challenge points
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Companies short-listed as finalists will have their financials audited and any discrepancies may affect team standings
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Teams do not require a nomination from an advisor to apply but the application will require an advisor to endorse the submission for accuracy
How to Apply
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You will be asked to create an account and will be able to save your application as you go.
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You will be asked to select which category (Retail/Manufacturing, Technology, Social Enterprise) your team would like to be considered for. You can only self-select one category based on the criteria below.
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Retail/Manufacturing
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The primary product of the company is made, sourced or designed by a group of students and was sold using drop-shipping or delivery method.
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Product sales is the primary source of revenue.
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Technology
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The primary product of the company is technology-based, like an app, educational or interactive website or a game.
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Technology development and use is foundational in the business case.
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Online services, event tickets, ads/sponsorship or digital sales are the primary sources of revenue.
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Social Enterprise
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The primary purpose of the company is focused on developing a solution to a social challenge, such as greenhouse gas emissions, mental wellness or homelessness. It is a for profit business focused on social purpose.
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Although we understand many companies will support charities through product sales, that in and of itself doesn’t mean the company is a social enterprise.
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Sponsorship or product sales are the primary sources of revenue and a % of revenue is re-invested into social purpose.
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You will be asked to include the name and email of an advisor to endorse your application. They will be sent a copy of your submission automatically by email and a request for endorsement.
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Advisors are not required to provide any additional references beyond the endorsement.
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Applications must be submitted through the link above. No email applications will be accepted.
Application Tip
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Make sure you start writing your application in advance of the deadline to account for editing, reviewing, and any unforeseen circumstances. Try not to submit your answers last minute!
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You can save your application online and return to it. It does not have to be completed all at once.
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If you plan on working offline, take note of the word limits to ensure that you don't run into any issues when copy and pasting your answers.
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Check in with your advisors to determine who you should include in your application for the endorsement.
Application Deadline
Friday, April 1st, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
Complete the application form online here: https://www.judgify.me/companyprogramawards2022
What happens after you have submitted your application?
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Applications will be reviewed by external preliminary judges.
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Short-listed candidates will be determined to move on to Student Interview Night.
Student Interview Night
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Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a panel of judges selected by JA Central Ontario.
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Interviews will be held virtually on Tuesday, April 26th between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
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Specific instructions will be sent to all finalists.
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To be eligible for an award, students MUST attend Interview Night.
Selection Process
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The award winner will be selected on the basis of their combined written responses and interview
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The award winner will be announced at our virtual ventureON celebration on Wednesday, May 11th, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Preliminary Judging Rubric
Your written application will be reviewed based on the following:
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Company Overview
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Product/Service fills a need (10 pts)
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Vision/Mission plays a role in the operation of the business (10 pts)
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Company is a viable business that could be sustained in the real world (10 pts)
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Skills Development
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Strong teamwork skills - have teams worked collaboratively and cooperatively within their departments and as a whole? (10 pts)
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Strong leadership skills – have teams demonstrated leadership by taking initiative and ownership through their business operations and development? (10 pts)
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Strong communication skills – have teams developed methods of communication to run the business smoothly and effectively with all departments (10 pts)
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Learnings
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Team overcame challenges and reflected on their learning (10 pts)
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Departmental Overview
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President – solved problems creatively, led the team effectively, communicated with all departments (10 pts)
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Finance – demonstrated collaboration and team work in managing the budget effectively and being profitable (10 pts)
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HR – demonstrated creative initiatives to maintain team engagement and morale; demonstrated ability to take feedback from advisors and in managing difficult HR challenges (10 pts)
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Marketing – demonstrated creativity and innovation in their brand and marketing strategy. Strongly defined their competitive analysis (10 pts)
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Production– demonstrated creativity and innovation in the design and production of product/service
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Technology - used technology to benefit the team and/or product/service (can be related to production, sales or company functions) (10 pts)
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Sales – strong and diverse sales strategy based on target market, achieved sales goals (10 pts
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