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Making the Decision: Entrepreneur of the Year 2009

Anyone can nominate a person for Entrepreneur of the Year, as long as the candidate is primarily responsible for the performance of a company that is at least two years old. A brochure describing the criteria and a nomination package are available at eoy.ca.

By BCBusiness /

Anyone can nominate a person for Entrepreneur of the Year, as long as the candidate is primarily responsible for the performance of a company that is at least two years old. A brochure describing the criteria and a nomination package are available at eoy.ca.

Nomination forms are initially vetted by staff at the Ernst & Young LLP Pacific Region office to ensure paperwork is complete. Then Ernst & Young conducts on-site interviews with all eligible nominees to gather information beyond the numbers. In three-hour interviews, candidates are grilled about everything from personal philosophy to their company’s financial performance.

The interview results are boiled down in summaries forwarded, along with the nomination forms, to the judges who review the applications privately before meeting as a team to compare notes. Finally, the judges reduce the file to three finalists in each category before deciding on a single winner.

What Do the Judges Look For?

Entrepreneurial spirit and corporate culture

The nominee demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity and overcoming obstacles, learns from experience, fosters teamwork and builds loyalty.

Innovation

What new approaches of technologies have been implemented? What investment has been made in R&D? How well does the nominee adapt to change and develop products and services ahead of the market?

Personal integrity and influence

The nominee has earned respect from staff, competitors and advisers; is a strong communicator; influ­ences others; and demonstrates involvement in the wider community.

Strategic direction, market position and industry impact

The nominee has made a noticeable impact in terms of job creation and leadership in the marketplace and is a regional, national or global player.

Financial performance

How strong is the organization’s financial performance today? What is the nominee’s track record in raising financing?


2008 EOY Pacific Region Judges


Bev Briscoe, president, Briscoe Management Ltd.

Bob Gayton, director, Western Copper Corp.

Tracey McVicar, managing partner, CAI Capital Management Co.

Jim Moore, president and CEO, Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc.

Grant Weaver, partner, Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP

Art Aylesworth, president, Osprey Management Ltd.

Jim Case, president and CEO, ScotiaDealer Advantage Inc.