The following best practices were followed by past winners:
- Submit your application before the deadline. Applications may be updated up until the deadline. Take this time to proofread for typos, spot errors, and edit for conciseness.
- Past winners recommend printing out the example application as soon as possible. This allowed them to collect various data and compose their “Company Strengths” statement before submitting the online form.
- Provide specific examples in the essay sections to support your statements of what was accomplished.
- Using lay terms for technical processes is helpful, and avoiding jargon and buzzwords is advisable.
- It helps to hear how your company compares to others in your field (e.g., if your practices are unique and, if so, how).
- Use exact amounts for employee counts and revenue figures (judges tend to trust exact figures more).