NorthCoast 99 - How to Apply

Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Award. The deadline for this year's application is May 2, 2008. If you think you have what it takes, and are a part of your organization's Leadership, HR, or Marketing team, please click here to apply.

If you aren't a member of those teams, but you still think you work for a great organization, please email NC99@ercnet.org to nominate your organization, or forward this link to the right people and encourage them to apply: www.northcoast99.org/application

Good luck!

How Does the Application Work?

The NorthCoast 99 Application has two main components:

Organizational Assessment: A comprehensive online questionnaire that asks for detailed information about your organization's policies and practices in the areas of benefits; communication; compensation; recruitment, selection, and retention; service & social responsibility; training and development; workforce planning; and workplace health and safety.

Top Performer Survey: An online survey that is distributed to a select group of employees within your organization that asks what they look for most in a job and with what job attributes they are most satisfied.

Organizations interested in applying must first register through the NorthCoast 99 website to begin completing the application. The registration and application forms will be available online in February.

Because of the level of detail required to complete the application, we highly encourage members of your organization's Leadership, HR, or Marketing teams participate in the process. If you beleive your organization should apply but are not a part of those teams, please click here for information on how to nominate your employer for the 2008 award.

Applicants may also apply for two sets of special awards given to a select group of the ninety-nine winners each year:

Special Category Awards: These seven (7) awards highlight innovative and unique practices in the areas of Compensation & Benefits, Communication, Service & Social Responsibility, Recruitment & Selection, Training & Development, Workplace Health & Safety, and Workforce Planning [NEW FOR 2008]. Three finalists and one winner are selected for each category and are chosen based on their application and separate essays submitted for each individual award.
Diamond Awards: These three (3) awards highlight three organizations that demonstrate the greatest commitment to attracting and retaining top performers and are selected based on their application and separate essays submitted for the award.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the award, your organization must have been in existence for a minimum of three (3) years and have at least 15 full-time equivalent employees in Northeast Ohio. Only employers located in Northeast Ohio are eligible for the award. For the purpose of this award, Northeast Ohio is defined as the 22-county region including the following: Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Harrison, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties.

What Does it Cost to Apply?

ERC is extremely passionate about helping organizations in Northeast Ohio build better workplaces. As an extention of that passion, we charge no fees to nominate your organization or apply for the award. Plus, all applicants will receive a free detailed report comparing their responses to those of the NorthCoast 99 winners!

What is the Application Timeline?

Applications for the 2008 NorthCoast 99 Award will be accepted beginning in February 2008 until May 2, 2008.
Winners will be selected and notified in July.
Winners will be announced to the public in September at www.northcoast99.org and in Inside Business Magazine.
Winners will also be recognized at the annual NorthCoast 99 Awards Dinner which will be held on September 17, 2008.

We encourage you to direct any questions about the application process to nc99@ercnet.org or 440/684-9700.