May 1, 2014 – Telus and The Globe and Mail announced the fourth annual installment of “The Challenge,” an annual contest that helps small business owners overcome their biggest business challenge with a $100,000 award from Telus and other support for the four finalists and 10 regional winners. Two years ago, Glassopolis, a specialty glass supplier in Toronto, won this award.
May 1, 2014 – Telus and The Globe and Mail announced the fourth annual installment of “The Challenge,” an annual contest that helps small business owners overcome their biggest business challenge with a $100,000 award from Telus and other support for the four finalists and 10 regional winners. Canadian small business owners are invited to submit their business challenge online at Globeandmail.com/thechallenge. All winners will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of inspiring Canadian business owners and business experts.
“At TELUS, we’re passionate about supporting small business owners with innovative solutions that help their business thrive. Through “The Challenge,” we’re able to extend this passion further and support owners that are jumping significant hurdles to achieve their business goals,” said Jim Senko, vice-president, Small Business Solutions, TELUS. “Due to the incredible submissions we reviewed in 2013, we are expanding this year’s competition to recognize not only the top four finalists, but also 10 regional companies that are facing unique challenges. We’re excited to partner with The Globe and Mail to once again champion the growth of the small business community in Canada.”
“Whether it’s hiring sales staff, finding new markets or raising their marketing games, small businesses across the country are doing their best to get to that next level. But with limited time and money, growth isn’t always easy, which is why we partnered with TELUS to host the $100,000 contest,” said Katherine Scarrow, editor, Small Business, The Globe and Mail. “We’re searching for motivated small businesses on the verge of greatness – all they need is that extra push.”
Four finalists will present their business challenges to a judging panel at TELUS House in downtown Toronto on June 19, and explain how they would use the $100,000 to overcome their key obstacle. Finalists will be profiled in The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business and at theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business. The final winner will be announced on September 18, 2014. In addition, 10 regional awards will be given out during Small Business Week in October.
Contest Rules
To enter the contest, business owners with fewer than 100 employees are asked to describe the following in an 830-word submission:
· Their business (30 words);
· A challenge their business is currently experiencing (200 words);
· A proposed solution to this challenge and how the $100,000 prize will help overcome the challenge (200 words);
· The results they expect to achieve (200 words);
· How their business incorporates the following values into their business: 1) community investment/commitment to charities, 2) customer service and 3) innovation (200 words).
Judges
Chris Griffiths – Director, Fine Tune Consulting, a boutique business consulting practice, and long-time entrepreneur
Carolyn Lawerence – President and CEO, Women of Influence
Jim Senko – Vice-President, Small Business Solutions, TELUS
Suzanne Trusdale – Director of Sales, Small Business Solutions, TELUS
Katherine Scarrow – Editor, Small Business, The Globe and Mail
Steve Tustin – Editor, Custom Content Group, The Globe and Mail
Sean Stanleigh – Editor, Report on Small Business, The Globe and Mail
Awards
Winner will receive $100,000 grant from TELUS
Four finalists will each receive business prize packs consisting of:
· Three Samsung smartphones from TELUS’ product lineup
· A TELUS business specialist to help set up the devices for business purposes
· A one year subscription to The Globe and Mail Unlimited
· A one hour mentoring session with one of the judges
10 regional winners will each receive business prize packs consisting of
· Three Samsung smartphones from TELUS’ product lineup
· A TELUS business specialist to help set up the devices for business purposes
For full details about how to enter and to read the contest rules and regulations, please visit Globeandmail.com/thechallenge.
Print this page
Leave a Reply