Participating in the Best and Brightest Programs

  • Nomination

    By you, a team member, a peer, or even a customer, nominations are the doorway to participation in the programs.

  • Complete the Company Survey

    To be completed by the main point person in Operations or Human Resources, this survey provides an initial self-assessment and profile and contributes to the overall organization package.

  • Employee Surveys

    Executed anonymously through a third-party research firm, these surveys provide opportunity for anonymous internal review.

  • Winners Announced and Recognized

    Participants in the program are invited to join in celebration as winners are recognized for their esteemed accomplishments.

  • Ongoing Education and Consulting Services

    As your company and organization continually grows, our educational team continues Best and Brightest year round initiatives.

  • Media and Public Recognition

    Our team works with partners and outlets across the country and regionally to recognize and embrace the Best and Brightest.

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Eligibility and Requirement for Participation

To be eligible for consideration, companies must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a minimum of 20 employees
  • Must be in business a minimum of 1 year
  • Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity
  • Be a publicly or privately held business
  • Temporary, seasonal, 1099 employees, independent contractors, consultants, interns, and volunteers are not counted in the number of employees or included in the survey process
  • Submit a Scoring and Analysis Fee

The Best and Brightest honor is a key component of how Axxess attracts new team members. Sharing the Best and Brightest award with candidates adds another layer of credibility to our award-winning culture.

Laura Barnett, AxxessDirector of Communications, Axxess

We use being one of the Best & Brightest from the minute people enter our offices. It sets the expectation that we want world-class employees to be a part of our organization.

Andy GutmanCFO, The Farbman Group

Sony Electronics strives to create an environment that promotes trust, recognizes and rewards efforts, and ensures meaningful work. The Best and Brightest designation validates our efforts to be a best place to work where all employees are valued for their contributions. Sony Electronics knows and exhibits the value of diversity. The varying characteristics, talents and backgrounds of our workforce is the fuel that fathoms the future and the engine that drives tomorrow’s consumer experience.

Carla Crossan, SonyCorporate Communications Manager, Sony

Scoring and Analysis Fees

Why is there a Scoring and Analysis Fee to participate?

Each application is scrutinized, scored and feedback is shared with both winning companies and those that did not make the winners list. Company data is analyzed as well as each employee survey by participating companies. To keep the integrity of the program, a third party partner is used to score each application. As a service organization, it is expensive to process hundreds of companies’ data and their respective employee surveys without a fee applied. All nominated companies that pay this fee receive a complimentary overall assessment report that contains feedback and benchmark scoring data. There are also options to purchase in-depth comprehensive reports with detailed data to help participants and their executives improve their overall operations. As a service organization, these comprehensive reports are significantly less expensive than private firms that offer survey services.

Crystal Fees

What are they?

Crystal fees only apply to winners that do not participate in the awards gala and educational symposium. Once you agree to participate in the Best and Brightest Program, it is expected that all winners participate in the education and awards gala. Better Business, Richer Lives and Stronger Communities is more than a tagline. We do this through education and winning companies sharing their best practices and engaging with other winners to make the local community stronger. As a result, we require winners to attend local awards galas that include educational opportunities to raise the bar of excellence, hence Better Business. We strongly encourage event day participation. For those companies that do not participate in the awards gala, we charge a fee of $195 to ship their award crystals to them. Companies that decline to participate in the educational awards gala forgo their opportunity to be an Elite Winner as they are refusing to share their success with the business community which is part of the programs key mission. We encourage nominated companies that were not selected to attend to learn more about the practices of winning firms. Educational sessions will be provided along with opportunities to understand your scores and how to improve them.

Ethical Conduct on Logo Usage

  • Only the Best and Brightest approved winners and their marketing and advertising representatives may use the winner logo. Winning companies are eligible to use the logo for up to one year from the date of winner acknowledgement.
  • The logo is not to be altered in any way and must include the winning year.
  • The logo must appear in original colors, Pantone (PMS 2597 purple) and Pantone (PMS 130 gold), CMYK, RGB, black or white only.
  • When presenting your company as a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner, the Best and Brightest team must be notified of publications or articles the information in which it will appear.
  • Logo use on marketing pieces must be tasteful and non-demeaning.
  • When addressing or referring to the event, award or program for media relations or marketing purposes, use consistent language related to the program. The title of the program must be used as seen here: “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®.” Truncated versions are not acceptable.
  • Violation of this policy may mean disqualification as a Best and Brightest Company and could lead to litigation.
Best and Brightest Logo

Better Business. Richer Lives. Stronger Communities.

Best and Brightest strives to recognize the most influential, trend-setting companies across the country and regionally in focused programs.

WBENC - Women’s Business Enterprise National Council logo
NABR - National Association for Business Resources logo

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The National Association for Business Resources does not in any way endorse winning companies businesses, brands, products or services, and has the right to prohibit companies from participating in the selection process of a Best and Brightest program based on specific industries, as well as any ethical concerns that may arise.