All your questions answered

What is Crain's Cleveland Business' Excellence in HR Awards?
Crain’s Cleveland Business' Excellence in HR program recognizes top human resources professionals who are building companies with the best people, talent, development and culture. Different categories will highlight those who have gone above and beyond and are making lasting impressions in their field.

What are 2024 recognition & nomination categories?

• Overall Excellence / HR Team of the Year: This nominee drove significant business results in 2023. 
• HR Technology: This nominee developed or implemented advancements in technology to improve employees’ lives. 
• Employee Experience & Retention: This nominee used design thinking to improve the employee experience, improve retention and increase productivity, performance and staff engagement for the company or industry. 
• Recruitment: This nominee developed innovative and effective solutions that bolster the company's employment needs.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: This nominee successfully made the business case for investing in DE&I to the company's top executives and effectively conceived of and implemented successful DE&I-related initiatives.

When is the deadline for nominations? When is it published?
The deadline for nominations is May 17. Any nominations received after the designated date will not be considered. The section is printed in the July 29 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business and online at CrainsCleveland.com.

Who decides who will be a finalist and winner?
An independent panel of HR professionals.

How does the process work?
Nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of human resources experts. Consideration is given, but not limited to: leadership, best practices, innovation, challenges met and strategies implemented.

Nominees selected as award finalists will be contacted approximately 5 weeks before publication. They will be recognized in a special feature publishing July 29 in print and on CrainsCleveland.com. 

How can I nominate someone for Excellence in HR?
Click here to submit a nomination. To get started, click the application link and sign into your account. If you do not have an account, you will be asked to create one before you can proceed with the nomination form. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox web browsers to complete your application.

Can I just call you or send you an email with the name of the person I'd like to nominate?
No phone calls or emails, please. We need the detailed information called for in the online nomination form.

I want to nominate someone, but would it be better if someone higher up nominated her/him? Can I nominate a family member?
You can nominate yourself, a client, a family member, your boss, an employee or an acquaintance. Previous year re-submissions are also welcome. The most important thing is that you state a clear, business-oriented reason for the nomination. However, please note a quote / testimonial of support for the candidate from a superior is required.

Should I send you a nomination form using the online form and then fax you a copy of it and then send you a hard copy, too?
No. We only need it once, and we do not accept faxes.

I want to be picked for Excellence in HR. Will it help to hire a public relations firm?
It doesn't influence the judging. Some candidates use PR firms or internal corporate communications departments for help with the forms.

Can I contact you to see how my nominee is doing in the judging process?
No. We don't give status reports. If you were nominated by a public relations firm, please do not ask them to call us to check on the nomination. 

I have submitted my candidate form. Since then I have won an award. Can I add that to my form? If I have had a change in job or employment, can I update my form?
Awards don't figure heavily in the judging, but feel free to let us know about it. On the other hand, it's very important we know about a change in employer or title.

How will I know if I have been chosen for Excellence in HR? What can I expect if I am chosen?
When we have finalized our list, all honorees will be contacted and will receive additional information regarding next steps for the awards ceremony.

I was not picked for Excellence in HR. Can you tell me why?
We will not be able to tell you why you weren't picked mainly because it won't be for any one reason, but for reasons that have to do with presenting a diverse range of experience, accomplishments and organizations.

For customer service questions and concerns regarding your account, please email customerservice@crainscleveland.com.

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