The Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards are hosted by the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs in association with The Center of Entrepreneurship, Centennial College , Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ming Pao Daily News.

The purposes of the Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Award are...

• To promote entrepreneurship in the Chinese Canadian Community.
• To recognize the contribution of Chinese Canadian entrepreneurs.
• To encourage new business start-up.
• To promote social responsibilities in entrepreneurs.

Awards include...

• Entrepreneur of the Year
• Best Start-up
• Most Innovative
• Most Progressive
• Best Community Service
• Award of Merit
• Best International Business
• Best Asia Pacific Business
  

All nominees' business must be...

• Registered in Ontario and has an operating office in the Province of Ontario. (Except the Best International Business Award and Best Asia Pacific Business Award that registered in any province of Canada)
• A nominee must be of Chinese origin and play a major role in the management of the business operation.
• A nominee or his/her business, must not be the subject of any legal investigation.

This is an annual event. The nomination is usually start from October to December and the Awards ceremony is usually hosted in late March or early April.

 

Nomination Guideline

Nomination must be made by a third party using the judging guidelines listed below. Where appropriate, the submission may be supplemented by company literature, media coverage and other pertinent data

Nomination Procedure

• A Candidate must be nominated by a third party, must complete a nomination Form and return it to the Judging Panel before the nomination deadline.

• Nomination can be made in either English or Chinese.

• Documents including financial statements submitted to the Judging Panel will not be returned.

• Any proprietary information received during the nomination process will be kept in strict confidence.

• Nominees will receive a certificate for display at their site of business.

• Finalists will be notified in advance and may be required to submit additional information and/or participate in a due diligence process.

• Winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation Night.

• The decisions of the Judging Panel are final.

Submissions containing false information will automatically disqualify the entry.

Note: In all categories, the Judging Panel may consider other factors as appropriate, such as industry reputation, environmental concerns, safety record, employee dedication, corporate stability, etc.

 

Qualification for Award Winner

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Innovation:
  Is there an innovative aspect to this business such as the production process, marketing strategies, service approach, methods of distribution or export concepts?
• Operating Success:
  Does the company enjoy profitability and financial health? Is there potential and/or planning for growth? Is the company exporting?
• Quality of Product or Service:
  Is the company recognized for its product or service quality? Is the company an industry leader? Does it engage in continued product or service development through research or market studies?
• Corporate Citizenship:
  Does the company participate in community activities (eg. cultural, social, educational and sporting initiatives)? Does the company engage in social marketing? Has the company received community recognition?
• Management Capabilities:
  Is there evidence of appropriate business planning? Are there immediate and long term training initiatives for management and/or employee?

Best Start-up

• Innovation:
  Is there an innovative aspect to the business, such as product or service, production process, marketing strategy, service approach, methods of distribution, advertising techniques or export concepts?
• Operating Success:
  To what extent has the product or service been accepted in the marketplace? Are the products or services sold beyond the Chinese community?
• Growth Prospects:
  Is there an opportunity for continued growth in the industry sector? Is there export potential? Is there an opportunity for product or service diversification? Is financing adequate?
• Management Capabilities:
  Is there evidence of appropriate business planning? Are technological improvements part of the plan? Are there immediate and long term training initiatives for management and/or employees?

Most Innovative

• Innovation:
  Did the company create, improve or promote an outstanding concept, procedure, technology, design and process in marketing, customer service, product or human resources development which enhanced productivity and gave it a competitive advantage in the marketplace?
• Operating Success:
  To what extent has the innovative product or service been accepted in the marketplace? Has the business strengthened its position in the marketplace? Are the products or services offered beyond the Chinese community?
• Growth Prospects:
  What is the growth potential of the company with the application of the innovation on its product or service? Is this a best practice which may be beneficial to the business community?
• Management Capabilities:
  Is there evident of appropriate business planning? Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged?

Most Progressive

(Business must be in operation for at least five years)

• Responsiveness to Change:
  Did the company demonstrate a responsiveness to change in the improvement process: financing (eg.employee purchase), corporate restructuring, product redesign, marketing strategy, approach to service, etc.?
• Operating Success:
  Over the last five years, has the company increased its sales? Has the business strengthened its position in the marketplace? Is it currently financially stable? Do employees have job security? Are there other measurable variables to show the significance of the improvement?
• Growth Prospects:
  What is the company's growth potential? Will market conditions allow its progress to continue?
• Management Capabilities:
  Is there any training programs for staff development and is this encouraged? Did management make personal sacrifices to effect the improvement?
  

Best Community Service

• Community Participation:
  Has the company assisted local charities, educational, cultural, or sporting activities? Has the company contributed to community development through social marketing? Is the company a member of any business associations?
• Community Recognition:
  Has the company received industry or community awards? Is the company viewed favorably by its peers or industry competitors? Does the company enjoy media recognition?
• Employee Relations:
  Does the company have a satisfactory working relationship with its employees? Do the employees earn a living wage and participate in benefit programs? Does the company have an employment equity plan in place? Does the company encourage employee training?

Best International Business

• International Business:
  What is the percentage of the company's export sales/foreign business investment as compared to the company's total sales/foreign investment (with geographic break down)?
• Operating Success:
  To what extent has the international business been accepted in the market place? Has the business strengthened its position in the market place? Are the products and/or services offered beyond the Chinese community? What are the financial performance results for past 3 years.
• Growth Prospects:
  What is the growth potential of the company with the expansion of the international business, qualitative and quantitative?
• Management Capabilities:Is there evidence of appropriate business planning, Business Operations control? Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged? Is there involvement in related community activities that encourage other business to engage in international business?
  

Award of Merit

(To recognize an outstanding young or emerging leader or leadership team owning or managing a successful growing business.)

• Innovation:
  Is there an innovative aspect to this business such as the production process, marketing strategies, service approach, methods of distribution or export concepts?
• Operating Success:
  Does the company enjoy profitability and financial health? Is there potential and/or planning for growth? Is the company exporting?
• Quality of Product or Service:
  Is the company recognized for its product or service quality? Is the company an industry leader? Does it engage in continued product or service development through research or market studies?
• Corporate Citizenship:
  Does the company participate in community activities (e.g. cultural, social, educational and sporting initiatives)? Does the company engage in social marketing? Has the company received community recognition?
• Management Capabilities:
  Is there evidence of a young or emerging leader or leadership team that has driven the development and growth of a successful business? Is there evidence of appropriate business planning and management practices?

Best Asia Pacific Business

• Asia Pacific Business:
  Entrants will need to demonstrate that they have successfully used Hong Kong as the gateway for their Asia Pacific business, and consequently their business performance has significantly improved. The company, which has been operating for a minimum of two years, has to demonstrate that it has successfully introduced its service/product to the new market, showing notable growth in overall business.
• Operating Success:
  Has the business demonstrated ability to create competitive advantages and overcome challenges in entering the new market? Does the company have a business plan through use of good research data, innovation and strategies to promote awareness in their new market?
• Gowth Prospects
  What is the growth potential of the company with the use of Hong Kong qualitative and quantitative? Will market conditions allow its progress to continue?
• Management Capabilities
  Is there evidence of appropriate business planning, business operations control? Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged?