Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Entries, Deadlines, and Fees
Judging and Winners
Benefits of Participating
Q: The Excellence in Technology Awards seem to concentrate on vendor organizations. Are you also interested in how enterprises use technology?
A: Yes, we encourage applications from vendor and enterprise organizations.
Q: Can our entry feature technology purchased by an enterprise organization or must it be owned or developed by the enterprise? And if it is purchased technology, must the enterprise enter jointly with the vendor?
A: It need not be owned or developed by the enterprise. Joint applications with vendors are optional.
Q: Do you seek technologies specifically developed for the current situation (COVID-19 pandemic) or only examples of existing technologies to enable the workforce during this uncertain time?
A: Both.
Q: As we remain in the midst of the pandemic and the situation is still developing, what kind of results are you looking for?
A: For the new categories related to the crisis, we will be more open when evaluating the results. We are most interested in how technologies and tools enable organizations to successfully navigate the crisis and how the organization was impacted by their use. Mentioning goals and strategies are also appropriate.
Q: Some of the Future of Work categories seem unrelated to HCM. Is that accurate?
A: Yes. While the categories within the Future of Work program area can include innovations in Learning, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Sales Enablement, etc., many of the categories also provide an opportunity for initiatives involving all aspects of the business. We seek innovation and new ways of approaching the Future of Work, which may go beyond typical HCM functions.
Q: Regarding new categories specific to crisis management, should applicants consider learning technologies for managing a crisis or learning technology that can be deployed for learners during a crisis?
A: Both.
Q: There are some new categories that don’t specifically mention technology in their name. For these categories, what kind of advance are you looking for?
A: While the category names may not specifically include “technology,” submissions within each category may include examples of technologies, programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems and tools used. Examples could include tools to continue programs or training remotely, converting onsite events to virtual events, etc.
Q: How should enterprises address the “Criteria 3: Unique Differentiators” question, which typically provides vendors an opportunity to differentiate their product from competitors?
A: Enterprises should emphasize the uniqueness of their initiative(s).
Q: Are enterprises required to provide a Technology Demo (Criteria 4)?
A: Yes. Enterprises must provide links to supporting documentation such as videos, presentations and/or trial access credentials.
When is the deadline and what is the fee?
The Excellence in HCM Spring Program (Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, HR/Workforce Management, Sales Performance, and Corporate Initiatives) re-opens for submissions on January 6, 2020. The deadline has been extended to May 8, 2020. (The 2019 winners were announced via a live webinar on August 20, 2020. Click here to register. A complete list of winners is available here.)
Fee: This program's fee is 575 USD per entry.
The Excellence in Technology Fall Program re-opens for submissions on April 27, 2020. The deadline is September 10, 2020. (The 2019 winners were announced via a live webinar. A complete list of winners is available here.)
Fee: This program's fee is 795 USD per entry.
What are my payment options?
- Through the online application portal (in the last step).
- Send a check to (please notify us):
Brandon Hall Group, Inc.
455 NE 5th Avenue
Suite D292
Delray Beach, FL 33483
If you are paying by check please include a note with your company name, entry category, title, number of entries. If needed, you may request an invoice from Brandon Hall Group.
Are our entries kept confidential?
In the online entry form you are given the opportunity to decide whether or not you would like Brandon Hall Group to publish your entry. If you decide not to give permission for your entry to be published please click “No” when asked if you are giving permission to publish when submitting your entry form. If you select “No” - the information you submit will be kept confidential and will not be published in our member center.
Can I submit multiple entries?
Your organization can enter multiple times, even within the same category, but the entry fee must be paid for each separate entry. If your organization would like to submit the same entry in multiple categories, the entry fee must be paid for each category entered.
Can I request an extension?
Please contact the program director Rachel Cooke at: awards@brandonhall.com to discuss an extension.
What language must the entry be written in?
All entries must be written in English.
What are the descriptions and judging criteria for each category?
Please download our brochure for the full list of descriptions and judging criteria for each category.
We are a practitioner organization (corporate, non-profit, government), which programs can we enter?
You can enter in both the HCM Spring Program and the Technology Fall Program - either independently or jointly with a solution (technology) provider.
We are a solution (HCM technology) provider organization, which program can we enter?
You may enter in the HCM Spring Program, however, you must enter jointly with your client organization. Solution providers cannot enter independently in this program.
The Technology Fall Program is for technology organizations and departments to enter alone or jointly with their client organizations.
How many winners are there?
Award winners are based on three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Approximately 20% of entries will be awarded.
How are winners selected?
Judges score each entry, and then the judging and scoring are reviewed by Brandon Hall Group’s executive leadership team, led by Rachel Cooke. The level of the award is determined by the number of points. There is a point range for Gold, Silver, and Bronze. We don’t grade on any kind of curve – the point total determines the award level. That is why in some categories, there may be several bronzes, and silvers, but fewer golds. Or if a category is particularly strong, maybe more golds than silver and bronze. And some categories may not have any winners.
Who are your judges?
The judging panel consists of independent senior industry subject matter experts and practitioners, and Brandon Hall Group research analysts and executive leadership.
Requirements to be a judge:
Minimum of eight to twelve years of experience in the subject area.
Not employed by a Solution Provider (Vendor) or helping organization.
Entries are judged by:
Panels of independent senior industry subject matter experts and practitioners.
Professions include:
VPs, Directors, Managers
Independent Instructional Designers and Program Developers
University Professors and PHDs
Types of organizations include: (US and Global based)
Corporations
Government Organizations
Military Groups
Associations and Nonprofits
All judges are required to sign confidentiality agreement.
What is the judging criterion?
Each category has its own judging criterion that is unique to the program area.
Each of the entries will need to show examples of the following:
Design of the programs or technologies
The use and objectives of the program
Overall benefits and measureable results
Supporting graphics, demos, links and videos where appropriate
Please download our brochure for the full list of descriptions and judging criteria for each category. If you have additional questions, please contact us at: awards@brandonhall.com.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners of the Spring HCM Program will be announced in a live webinar in Fall 2020.
Winners of the Fall Technology Program will be announced in a live webinar in Winter 2020.
Winners from both programs will also be honored at our annual HCM Excellence Conference.
WINNERS RECEIVE:
- Recognition at our Annual HCM Excellence Conference.
- Winners will be invited to speak in panel sessions.
- Discounted Excellence Conference pass rates.
- One (1) plaque per winning entry. You may order additional plaques if you desire for an additional fee.
- A digital logo that you may use in any way you wish.
- A Brandon Hall Group issued press release announcing the winners.
- Live online announcement event and inclusion in promotional mailings.
- Recognition on Brandon Hall Group’s web site.
- Recognition on Brandon Hall Group’s social communities - Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
- Entries may be included in Brandon Hall Group’s blogs.
- Feedback and scoring on your entry at the request of the organization.
- Entries may be included in Brandon Hall Group’s publications when appropriate and with approval.
- Opportunities to be highlighted in industry webinars.
- For solution providers that have submitted with client organizations – published case study entries with approval and opportunities for webinar sponsorship to share best practices.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE:
- A certificate of participation in PDF format that you may use in any way you wish.
- Feedback and scoring on your entry at the request of the organization.
- Annual networking virtual forums designed only for award participants.
- Discounted Excellence Conference pass rates.
Featured Award-Winning Case Studies
Click the logo to download. Click here for a complete list of past award winners.
To access our complete database of case studies, research, reports, tools and more, become a member. Request a free trial today!
Contact us at membersuccess@brandonhall.com.
About Brandon Hall Group
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Brandon Hall Group is a research and analyst firm, with more than 10,000 clients globally and 25 years of delivering research-based solutions that empower excellence in organizations around the world through our research and tools each and every day. Our vision is to inspire a better workplace experience. Our mission is to empower excellence in organizations around the world through our research and tools each and every day.