7 Tips to Preparing a Winning Small Business Week Nomination Package

Every year since 1963, SBA has hosted the National Small Business Week Conference to recognize the special impact made by outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. We are now seeking nominations from the public for the 2012 National Small Business Week awards.  Once you are nominated for an award, the next step is to put together a nomination package. 

Here are 7 tips to preparing a winning Small Business Week nomination package:

1.      Read and Follow Nomination Guidelines Carefully– The guidelines are not difficult, but they are specific and precise. Make sure you follow the Nomination Guidelines carefully.

2.      Use the Evaluation/Selection Criteria as an Outline –Each award has a different set of criteria used to rate the nomination. Make sure to explain how the nominee meets each of the criteria under the heading of “concise statement of the qualities and performance that merit the award.”

3.      Put Together a Strong Financial Package – Not all nominations will need financial information. However, if financial statements are required for your nomination category, make sure that you submit three years of financial information. Since statements alone don’t always represent the complete financial picture of the business, briefly explain what the data means.

4.      Always Include Supporting Documentation – The support section is limited to 10 pages, so you’ll want to include the most persuasive information possible. Make sure all photocopies are easy to read. If you submit letters of support, seek them from individuals with first-hand knowledge of your accomplishments, and give specific examples.

5.      Include a Photo - Photos are a required item in the package.  Provide either an 8”x10”or 5”x7” (full color or black and white) photo of the nominee.  Photos may also be submitted on a CD which must be high resolutions pictures (at 300 dpi).

6.      SBA Assistance - Although SBA assistance is not required, if a business has received SBA assistance, explain it in the nomination package. SBA assistance includes things like receiving an SBA loan, participating in a procurement program or obtaining counseling or training from a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Women's Business Center (WBC), SBA District Office or  SCORE.

7.      Make the Package Look Good– Just as you learned in school, neatness counts! Grammatical errors and typos distract from the quality of the nomination.

Nomination packages will be accepted until Nov. 10, 2011, by your local SBA District Office.   If you have questions about the nomination package, contact your local SBA District Office.

And don’t forget to save the date for National Small Business Week 2012 – May 20-26 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC!