Final Update – CLOSED
Elev8 GovCOn Awards Nominations – Extended until September 29
Yes, we heard you. Again. This past month has been chaotic for many reasons. We are giving you one more chance to nominate for this award that will actively foster, support, and highlight the top companies and brands that not only drive innovative and effective solutions, but that also demonstrate their own excellence in measurable and defined ways, making them a beacon for talent, for partners, and for clients.
Meet the current list of 2024 Elev8 GovCon Honorees here.
July 15, 2023 Update: Between proposals and much-needed time away with family, we have heard from many teams that they, and their partners, needed time. We got you. Nominations for this award which works to actively foster, support, and highlight the top companies and brands that not only drive innovative and effective solutions but also demonstrate their own excellence in measurable and defined ways, have been extended. Take a breath. Regroup. You now have until September 1 … BUT that will be it. Details are included below about Elev8 and the nomination process.
The Federal GovCon sector is one of the most complex and competitive marketplaces in the world. The consistent and long-term winners are those who not only drive innovative and effective solutions, but also demonstrate their own excellence in measurable and defined ways, making them a beacon for talent, for partners, and for clients.
The inaugural Elev8 GovCon awards nudged opened the door and shed a light on what these companies are doing, and on what government clients and top talent have identified as important. As with anything, however, maintaining the status quo is not enough and the next iteration of Elev8 GovCon will take it up a level by identifying, recognizing, and fostering a growing community of companies that are exceptional and that share common values and goals.
NOTE: Companies that made the initial list of Elev8 Honorees will not automatically be added for 2024. With new criteria and higher expectations, anyone interested will need to reapply.
Details related to the nomination form, the timeline, and the commitment that will be required to be considered an Elev8 GovCon honoree are provided below.
The defined characteristics of a 2024 Elev8 GovCon recognized company serves as a key competitive edge, to include in higher levels of employee and customer engagement and loyalty which translate into higher growth and profits. The companies that will be recognized, and the leaders guiding these teams forward, understand what it takes and are models of continuous improvement and #doingittherightway. #Elev8GovCon
Elev8 GovCon companies are evaluated and stand out from the competition based on their outstanding characteristics in two or more of the following 8 key areas:
Good Partner
Partners come in many shapes, sizes and with different purposes but those who do it the right way are sought after and are partners anyone would happily engage again. Other words that may define this category include ethical, reputable, moral, upright, and exemplary. Partners that are exceptional not only uphold the ‘letter of the law’ when it comes to teaming agreements, but they also find ways to go above and beyond to provide support, mentorship, engagement, to collaborate, and to bridge the divide, building one successful team to deliver for their client.
Growing Your Talent
Taking care of people means helping them be and do better than they did before. Whether that is through internal or external training, certifications, mentorship programs, or opportunities to take on leadership roles, companies that take care of their teams find ways for them to excel, and they support and encourage those efforts. Growing talent may mean helping people evolve and grow into opportunities outside of the company as they seek fulfillment, or may help develop the next level of leadership within the company. Either way, the focus is on what is best for the individual.
Philanthropy
Narrowly defined as the donation of money, philanthropy implies a generosity that can also translate to money, pro-bono work or in-kind donations that underlies it is not all about the bottom dollar but about the bigger picture. True philanthropy is not a checkbox or cheque that is signed based on company profits, but rather is driven by its team, by its focus, and by what is happening the world and communities it works in.
Exemplify Innovation
Whether it is through technology, culture, mission or approach, companies that succeed do not stand still. Innovation signifies life, implies thought and forward movement, and is critical as the world becomes increasingly complex and challenging. Innovation must exist in how teams come together, in benefits and compensation offered, in ways business engages with partners and clients in order to drive true forward motion. Companies must be guided by principles that understand the status quo is not enough and they must demonstrate they are doing more and doing better.
Industry Engagement
Whether it is hosting or driving the development of events and activities intended to support the industry as a whole, companies that ‘do it right’ all seem to have some component of giving back to the industry that sustains them that is authentic and appreciated. True engagement is not a one-day-a-year activity, and is not focused on a single act or single organization. Industry engagement looks at the whole of the community and will include multiple aspects including mentorship, giving of time or services, sharing of intel, will involve people from across the company and will be driven by a desire to give back.
Inclusive and Diverse
Better for the diversity we bring, unique for the ideas of the individual, variety is the spice of life, are terms that all drive home the value of inclusivity, of hiring people who are different. More than that, inclusive and diverse teams find ways to have those voices heard, for combining those personalities on shared efforts for the betterment of all involved.
Sustainability Practices
Not just a recent buzzword, sustainability is important for industry and is becoming increasingly important for government. We know sustainability may be harder to define for smaller businesses but those that are #doingitright understand that everyone must do their part and they have identified and defined ways they can #dobetter for themselves and their government clients.
Investment for the Sake of Betterment
Investing to grow is natural. Investing to do better is exceptional. Whether it is investment in internal systems and processes, adding to the team to lighten workloads, adding SME support focused on the softer side of business, seeking external counsel aimed at improving the company, maturing processes and customer delivery through certifications or process standards companies that #doitright are willing to put money behind their commitment to improving the work environment and experience for both internal teams and as it relates to customer delivery.
The Elev8 GovCon Nomination and Selection Process and Timeline – Updated July 14, 2023
Step 1 – Click here to review and complete the Nomination Form. Updated: Due on or before September 1, 2023
Step 2 – Share this link to the Partner and Employee simple submission references, required on or before September 1, 2023 (Updated) To complete this submission, we require that a total of three references MUST be submitted, with at least one from each of the following – Category one: a current or prior business partner or current or prior Federal client; Category two: a current or prior employee. In order to evaluate both culture and partnership options, we require 3 supporting submissions from at least one nomination from each of the two categories. This could be two employees and one partner; two partners and one employee; one partner, one employee and one client.
Step 3 – The 2024 Elev8 GovCon submission will require an additional Commitment. Elev8 GovCon Honorees understand that doing it the right way is not a one-and-done series of actions. A focus in 2024 will center around not only identifying and honoring these exceptional companies and leaders, but also on providing exclusive opportunities for this community of leading companies that share a common value set to come together, connect with, learn from, mentor, and partner as we strive to support and drive the increasingly important and varied set of missions that this government contracting community serves every day. The Commitment is included as part of the Nomination Form. Please check all fields.
The FY 2024 list of Elev8 GovCon Honorees will be announced in late September/early October of 2023. (Updated)
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