BBB Serving Western Ontario Spark Awards
The Spark Awards, a Business Integrity Award for Entrepreneurship, recognizes business owners 35 and under or business owners of any age operating for less than three years who demonstrate a higher level of character, generating an authentic culture about its mission, and connecting with its community. The BBB Western Ontario operates in London-Middlesex, Chatham-Kent, Elgin, Huron, Norfolk, Oxford, Sarnia-Lambton and Windsor-Essex Counties.
The Spark Award recipients are chosen from an arena of entries and nominations, showing there’s no lack of trusted business representatives in Western Ontario. Organizations are then selected to represent the class in the areas of character, culture and community as that year’s recipients.
Spark Award Categories:
Character
Leaders must be teachable and open to growing with ideas. Leaders habitually seek the truth, are open to criticism, and know that their own personal development is ongoing. Ethical leaders also empower their employees to be intentional in their personal and professional development.
Culture
Constructive workplace cultures help teams work toward their goals, and establish guidelines that hold each member, including leadership, accountable while praising valuable team players. As a result, successful teams can create structures, adapt to change, and continually encourage opportunities for all staff members. Progressive cultures set ethical ways for a business to problem-solve, resolve conflict, and inspire evolution.
Community
Notable businesses show appreciation for their communities by enthusiastically giving back. Businesses should make efforts to eagerly support their communities by contributing to and encouraging an ethical marketplace. Community-inspired businesses help their environment, stakeholders, and community membership by reinvesting and volunteering.