Categories
In 2023, we honour outstanding excellence in the following eight categories: Excellence in Equity, Service Excellence (1-10 Employees), Service Excellence (11+ Employees), Environmental Initiative, Innovation, Best Employer, Young Entrepreneur and Business of the Year. Join us in showing our respect and appreciation for the local businesses that make North Vancouver an amazing place to live, work, and play.
Best Employer Award
Description
The Best Employer Award is presented to a North Vancouver business in recognition of their commitment to offering exceptional workplaces for their employees, demonstrated by: Proven track record of providing programs that support the well-being of their employees through health & wellness, safety, workplace diversity and community involvement initiatives; Established programs and/or services that support the challenges employees face working in North Vancouver (i.e.: transportation, housing, work/life balance, etc.); Innovation, growth, and development of new programs and services that meet the changing needs of all employees; Demonstrated leadership and commitment to employee training, development and retention strategies within the organization; Deep commitment to making the community of North Vancouver a better place for their employees to live and play. Leadership in creating and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Requirements
For you to be eligible for this award, you must:
- Have been operating in the City or District of North Vancouver for at least of 18 months.
- Hold a current business license in the City or District of North Vancouver. (If you do not have a business license, please apply for one (see links here) then re-submit with us when you have obtained a hard copy that you can send us.)
Apply for a CNV Business License Apply for a DNV Business License
Criteria
| Proven track record of providing programs that support the wellbeing of their employees through health & wellness, safety, workplace diversity, and community involvement initiatives |
| Established programs and/or services that support the challenges employees face working in North Vancouver |
| Innovation, growth, and development of new programs and services that meet the changing needs of all employees; |
| Demonstrated leadership and commitment to employee training, development and retention strategies within the organization |
| Deep commitment to making the community of North Vancouver a better place for their employees to live and play. |
Business of the Year Award
Description
The Business of the Year Award is presented to a North Vancouver business that exemplifies consistent and exceptional achievement from an overall operating perspective, demonstrated by: Proven track record of business sustainability, growth, and sound financial management; Differentiated customer service, product and value proposition; Established employment leadership standards for staff diversity, development and retention; Elevated level of business operations that encompass vision, integrity and civic responsibility; Proven milestones, achievements and/or notable recognition in their field of business; Leadership in creating and promoting diversity and inclusion; Recognized role as a strong business partner through active involvement in supporting the community, charitable and civic organizations.
Criteria
| Proven track record of business sustainability, growth, and sound financial management |
| Differentiated customer service, product and value proposition |
| Established employment leadership standards for staff diversity, development and retention |
| Elevated level of business operations that encompass vision, integrity and civic responsibility |
| Proven milestones, achievements and/or notable recognition in their field of business; |
| Leadership in creating and promoting diversity and inclusion |
| Recognized role as a strong business partner through active involvement in supporting community, charitable and civic organizations. |
Environmental Initiative Award
Description
The Environmental Initiative Award is presented to an exceptional North Vancouver business that exemplifies leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices and initiatives, demonstrated by: Sustained reduction or improved efficiency in waste outputs, energy usage or environmental impact of their operations; Projects, programs, processes, systems, technologies or employee engagement to reduce the environmental footprint of your business; Growth, development and leadership standards supporting sustainability which provide a role model for others to emulate; Demonstrated community leadership in establishing sustainability initiatives or standards that have become linked to the employer's public identity; Milestones and measurable accomplishments that demonstrate effective sustainable operations.
Criteria
| Sustained reduction or improved efficiency in waste outputs, energy usage or environmental impact of their operations |
| Projects, programs, processes, systems, technologies or employee engagement to reduce the environmental footprint of your business |
| Growth, development and leadership standards supporting sustainability which provide a role model for others to emulate |
| Demonstrated community leadership in establishing sustainability initiatives or standards that have become linked to the employer's public identity |
| Milestones and measurable accomplishments that demonstrate effective sustainable operations |
Excellence in Equity Award
Description
The Excellence in Equity Award is presented to a North Vancouver business that exemplifies leadership and commitment to equitable practices and initiatives that build an inclusive workplace and community, demonstrated by: Workplace policies and hiring practices that build an equitable, inclusive workplace culture and an environment free from bias and discrimination; Workplace practices and activities that support or are developed in consultation with equity-seeking staff, communities or groups* (see below for examples); A commitment to inclusion by providing equitable access to staff training and leadership development opportunities (i.e. advancement, leadership and professional development); Promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and/or broader community; A commitment to building diversity of talent*at all levels within your workforce; Evidence of year-over-year progression and achievements in moving your business towards being more diverse and inclusive; Evidence of how activities centered on equity and inclusion have contributed to improved business performance and growth; Recognized role as a strong business partner through active involvement in supporting community, charitable and civic organizations. *Equity-seeking communities, groups and individuals including, but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and all racialized people as well as people with lived experience of exclusion based on gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, and religion.
Criteria
| Workplace policies and hiring practices that build an equitable, inclusive workplace culture and an environment free from bias and discrimination |
| Workplace practices and activities that support or are developed in consultation with equity-seeking staff, communities or groups |
| A commitment to inclusion by providing equitable access to staff training and leadership development opportunities |
| Promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and/or broader community |
| A commitment to building diversity of talent at all levels within your workforce |
| Evidence of year-over-year progression and achievements in moving your business towards being more diverse and inclusive |
| Evidence of how activities centered on equity and inclusion have contributed to improved business performance and growth |
| Recognized role as a strong business partner through active involvement in supporting community, charitable and civic organizations. |
Innovation Award
Description
The Innovation Award is presented to a North Vancouver business to recognize development and growth through the creation or use of unique technology, products, methods or service, demonstrated by: Use of science and/or technology to create a business that is original or unique; Creation of new or existing processes, products or services that enhance their business and/or customer experience; High degree of originality, creativity and/or experimentation to design and realize the innovation; Commercialization or quantifiable growth within new and/or prevailing markets; Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities.
Criteria
| Use of science and/or technology to create a business that is original or unique |
| Creation of new or existing processes, products or services that enhance their business and/or customer experience |
| High degree of originality, creativity and/or experimentation to design and realize the innovation |
| Commercialization or quantifiable growth within new and/or prevailing markets |
| Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities |
Service Excellence Award (1-10 Employees)
Description
The Service Excellence Award is presented to a North Vancouver business to recognize their outstanding dedication and achievement to service excellence and customer/guest satisfaction, demonstrated by: Commitment to exceptional service standards that consistently exceed customer/guest expectations; Proficiency in meeting or exceeding the changing needs of customers/guests; Preservation of high service standards through effective staff/team training and development; An exceptional “wow factor” when dealing with customers/guests, partners and stakeholders; Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities; A commitment to diversity and inclusion in their service practices.
Criteria
| Commitment to exceptional service standards that consistently exceed customer/guest expectations |
| Proficiency in meeting or exceeding the changing needs of customers/guests |
| Preservation of high service standards through effective staff/team training and development |
| An exceptional “wow factor” when dealing with customers/guests, partners and stakeholders |
| Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities |
| A commitment to diversity and inclusion in their service practices |
Service Excellence Award (11+ Employees)
Description
The Service Excellence Award is presented to a North Vancouver business to recognize their outstanding dedication and achievement to service excellence and customer/guest satisfaction, demonstrated by: Commitment to exceptional service standards that consistently exceed customer/guest expectations; Proficiency in meeting or exceeding the changing needs of customers/guests; Preservation of high service standards through effective staff/team training and development; An exceptional “wow factor” when dealing with customers/guests, partners and stakeholders; Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities; A commitment to diversity and inclusion in their service practices.
Criteria
| Commitment to exceptional service standards that consistently exceed customer/guest expectations |
| Proficiency in meeting or exceeding the changing needs of customers/guests |
| Preservation of high service standards through effective staff/team training and development |
| An exceptional “wow factor” when dealing with customers/guests, partners and stakeholders |
| Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities |
| A commitment to diversity and inclusion in their service practices |
Young Entrepreneur Award
Description
The Young Entrepreneur Award is presented to a North Vancouver business person, under 40 years of age *, who excels in business, exemplifies leadership and exhibits strong entrepreneurial skills, demonstrated by: Exceptional initiative to assume the risk of establishing a new business; Utilization of business skills necessary for long-term success; Progressive growth within new and/or prevailing markets; Dedication and commitment to our community through their interest in leadership, peer mentoring, inclusion and personal achievement; Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities. * Before December 31st
Criteria
| Exceptional initiative to assume the risk of establishing a new business |
| Utilization of business skills necessary for long-term success |
| Progressive growth within new and/or prevailing markets |
| Dedication and commitment to our community through their interest in leadership, peer mentoring, inclusion and personal achievement |
| Extends community support above and beyond their business or professional responsibilities |
