Northeast Ohio has long been home to innovation.
With this in mind, Innovation in Business® was developed by Smart Business to recognize Northeast Ohio’s innovative organizations and leaders.
The program includes an awards ceremony on Sept. 16, 2010, at LaCentre Conference & Banquet Facility to honor business leaders in two categories: Rising Stars — This award is given to business leaders from younger or start-up organizations with innovative approaches to a business process, idea or product. (Five years in existence or fewer.) Visionaries — This award is given to business leaders who have demonstrated a history of innovative ideas throughout their careers or have developed cutting-edge processes or products.
It’s time to help companies get the recognition they deserve for changing the tone of their business landscape. Nominations for Rising Stars and Visionaries will be accepted through June 30, 2010. Use this form (PDF) to nominate a company or contact Caroline Calfee Zerbey for more information. The judges are local business experts, including previous honorees. Honorees will be notified by July 16, 2010.
Nominees will receive editorial coverage in the September 2010 edition of Smart Business Cleveland and Akron/Canton and be featured on SBN Online. All honorees will be invited to attend the 2010 Innovation in Business® conference, where they will be presented with the awards. The conference will also feature a one-on-one interview with 1-800-FLOWERS.com founder and CEO Jim McCann to discuss the roots of innovation and how his idea blossomed into the world’s leading florist and gift company.
Read about the 2009 honorees:
The AAA approach: How Monte Ahuja hires the right people and then encourages them at Transtar Industries
Looking at the obvious: How Michael Feuer goes for the low-hanging fruit at Max-Wellness and OfficeMax
Power of people: How Ray Dalton empowers his people at PartsSource LLC
The right environment: How Fred M. DeGrandis creates a supportive workplace at the Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals
More to do: How Dan T. Moore III keeps busy at Dan T. Moore Co. Inc.
Making adjustments: How Thomas W. Swidarski drove change at Diebold Inc.
Working together: How AdvoCare Group is embracing innovation
From head to toe: How Carl Albright is developing well-rounded employees at InfoCision Management Corp.
Lessons learned: How the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage teaches the community
Well-oiled machine: How The Lube Stop Inc. improved its customer experience
Food for thought: How Ganeden Biotech Inc. and Ganeden Labs are advancing science
Catching fire: How Aaron LeMieux used observation to form Tremont Electric LLC
Sweet sounds: How Findaway World LLC has everyone’s ears
Using your resources: How rexorce Thermionics Inc. is looking to make a positive impact
