GEO Award Information - Rules & Eligibility
Leadership teams from customer companies of any size are eligible for recognition. Companies do not have to be IAOP members. Further, winners must agree to present a session at OWS21 and to have a case study written about their submission, which will be published to the IAOP community. Teams self-nominate through an online application (see below). Nominations open in September and close in November. Submissions are then reviewed by a panel of judges. Winners are advised by year-end and recognized at the subsequent OWS conference in February.
RULES & ELIGIBILITY
Please read the following rules carefully:
- Only team members from customer companies may be nominated and this nomination form must be completed by the applying team.
- Only outsourcing leadership team members from the customer company may be recognized. Individuals from provider companies, third-party partners, advisor organizations, etc. are not eligible and will disqualify a nomination.
- IAOP Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) members are not eligible for this award nor may they sit as judges while serving in this capacity with the association. This does not exclude their organization from applying, provided SAB member is not involved in the project or part of the applicant team.
- Teams who won in either category last year are not eligible to nominate themselves again this year.
- Comp passes will be awarded to up to three winning team members who agree: to personally represent the winning company at the awards ceremony at OWS21 (virtually); to present a Summit session, and to be featured in the publicity for the award.
- Winning teams must agree to collaborate on the writing of a case study about their project which will be made publicly available through the IAOP website and other sources. All nomination information is confidential. Winning team members will have the approval of all information contained in the case study.
- Applications must be received by November 1, 2020.
IMPORTANT JUDGING INFORMATION
The GEO Award for Innovative Practices in Creating Value from Collaborative Relationships recognizes a customer company’s team for using innovation to create value for the business through the design and implementation of a collaborative relationship that (1) is responsible for measurable, strategic business outcomes such as growth, sustainability, competitive advantage, market insights, addressing new or unfulfilled needs; (2) represents true innovation, originality or creativity; and (3) is worthy of special attention from the industry due to the ability for others to learn from it, or for its repeatability. Applicants will be asked to clearly explain value created, the innovation, and how the collaboration enabled the value creation.
Please ensure that the information you provide describes your team’s efforts clearly and succinctly. Make it easy for the judges to identify your most valuable information.
All nominations will go through a screening evaluation before being entered into the judging process. The following screening criteria are designed to help you create a higher quality submission.
- There is a word count restriction for each question on the nomination form. Submissions will be judged by the content included in the nomination form only - please refrain from sending any additional documents.
- Is the submission complete and provide clear metrics, financial value, and easily recognizable specifics?
- Are the outcomes clear and easily understood?
- Eligibility according to the rules above.
FAQs
Why would I want to participate in the GEO Award program?
Documenting your team’s efforts and accomplishments enhances awareness — both inside and outside of your company. Recognition of this type builds morale, helps attract and retain the best talent, and establishes greater credibility and influence with other organizations, including current and potential providers.
Is there a fee for applying?
No.
Is my submission confidential?
Yes. All submissions are kept confidential and only viewed by the judging panel, who sign nondisclosure agreements. However, each winner will have a case study written about their team and its accomplishments which will be published. Winners have the opportunity to review this case study to ensure that no confidential or company sensitive information is shared.
Can providers nominate their customers?
No. Customer teams can only nominate themselves. However, provider organizations are encouraged to make their customers aware of the award and to support their effort as appropriate. Regardless, all recognitions are for the customer team only.
Can my team be recognized without identifying the company we work for?
No. Although it is the team of individuals being recognized — not the company overall — the team members and their company need to be identified.
How long is the application?
The application requests basic background information about the team, the company, and the work. The remainder of the application is made up of seven questions centered on the key elements important to long-term outsourcing success — financials, capabilities, quality, risk & compliance, and governance.
When is the deadline to apply?
Applications must be received via the online submission process by November 1, 2020.
Can we be recognized more than once?
Yes, however, a company’s team is not eligible to win in two consecutive years, regardless of the category (innovation or best practice) of their nomination. Therefore, a winner is not eligible to submit a nomination the year after they win.
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