We interrupt this recession to bring the business world some good news – America’s entrepreneurial problem-solving ingenuity is alive and well. And to prove it, Business.com has launched the
offering nearly $30,000 in cash prizes to businesses that submit the most innovative solutions they’ve used to confront their biggest business challenges. A challenging economy calls for innovative problem-solving and resourcefulness. And nobody's better at delivering just that than America's small business owners and entrepreneurial thinkers.
Open to all North American businesses both small and large, the contest aims to shift focus from what's wrong with the economy, to what small owners are actually doing -- and
do -- to not only survive, but thrive in the year ahead. The idea is simple:
the best, most innovative solutions they've used to confront their biggest business challenges. A panel of expert
will select finalists, and visitors to the Business.com site will vote for the winners.
With today's economic tumult, business owners, managers and startups are relying even more heavily on the Web to uncover solutions to a growing list of problems. With over seven million unique monthly users, Business.com is already a place they come to for answers. The
contest will showcase the best business problem-solving ingenuity, while creating a new resource for businesses seeking real-life answers. Here's how the contest works:
See What Works for Business Contest details and get started
In short, describe how you solved a difficult business challenge in 350 words or less. That's about it! Deadline is Dec. 3, 2008.
I recommend: Enter the contest! Eligible participants should visit
http://whatworks.business.com and submit a brief description of a business challenge they have faced and how they solved it. Deadline is Dec. 3. A panel of expert judges will narrow the field to 50 finalists. Winners will then be determined by popular vote online from Dec. 10-19.
Check out the juicy cash prizes being offered
Business.com will be doling out nearly $30,000 in cold, hard cash to contest winners.
I recommend: You can't win if you don't enter. Ten businesses will collect nearly
$30,000 in cash and prizes. One grand prize winner will receive
$10,000, and the other nine category winners will receive $2,000 each. All winning businesses will be featured in a national, year-long publicity campaign related to the contest on Business.com and partner sites.
For winners, the exposure generated by the contest publicity could be worth far more than the cash!
Pick the category you want to enter
The contest offers 10 different topic categories for you to choose from. Enter as many times as you like. See the categories list below:
I recommend: Pick the
category that best fits your situation:
1) Business Location – finding office space, relocation, construction, property management...
2) Management – leadership and team building, strategic planning, international challenges...
3) Money – getting business funding, securing credit, refinancing debt, accounting, payroll...
4) Office Management – office furniture and supplies, printing, forms, mailing...
5) Operations – inventory management, payment solutions, shipping, distribution...
6) People – recruiting, compensation, evaluation, labor law, training...
7) Sales, Marketing & Customer Service – advertising, identity/branding, events, direct marketing, sales strategies...
8) Startup – incorporation, legal services, recruiting, startup financing, business opportunities...
9) Technology – computers, networking, phone systems and other IT issues...
10) Web Presence – internet solutions, web hosting, web site development, ecommerce...
Review the submission examples we've provided
Not sure how to describe your solution? Need a nudge getting started with your contest entry?
I recommend: No problem! Take a look at the
example contest submissions that we've provided as models. Keep in mind that these are just format examples, however. You'll want to focus on what's unique or innovative about what you've done specifically at YOUR business.
See the judges who'll be selecting contest finalists
The business leaders serving as judges for Business.com's What Works for Business Contest embody business ingenuity, resourcefulness and can-do attitude.
I recommend: Submit your entry...and relax! After the submission phase closes, the judges will evaluate submissions based on
(1) degree of business challenge, (2) creativity of the solution, and 3) practicality/broad applicability of solution to pick the top five finalists in each contest category. See judge bios on the "
Judges" page of the contest website.
Vote for your favorites!
Winners will be selected by popular vote -- conducted online -- by users of Business.com.
I recommend: Vote. Public voting will take place Wednesday, December 10th through Friday, December 19th. 2008. Winners will be announced Monday, January 12th 2009. Visit the
What Works for Business contest website for details on voting.
Enjoy the fruits of our lawyers' labor
Yes, like most contests, this one has a lengthy list of official rules and other legalities that our company lawyers have told us we have to include. That is, after all, what they do.
I recommend: They might feel bad if you don't read this stuff, so we've put it all on the
Official Rules page of the What Works for Business Contest website. Enjoy!
Related Resources from Business.com
Comments
Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please 
