What's the Application Process Like?

Help Us Collect the Right Data.

The NorthCoast 99 program is designed to collect valuable data from organizations that, in turn, allows us to create valuable benchmarking reports and content for applicants.

Tell Us About Your Workplace.

The application includes questions about your workplace practices and policies, compensation, work-life balance, benefits, professional development initiatives, culture, diversity and inclusion, and talent acquisition and attraction practices.

Get Other Employees Involved.

The application also requires organizations to survey a portion of their top performers and new hires. We provide you guidance and resources to easily organize and communicate with your employees.

Begin the Application Process Early.

The application process is comprehensive, so we recommend starting early and working with a team of individuals knowledgeable about your workplace policies and practices.

Who judges the application?

Winners are not selected based solely on employee feedback and surveys, or elected by a panel of judges.

Instead, the names of applicant organizations are removed from the submissions, and each application is scored through a combination of objectively weighted points based on top-performer preferences and points assigned by internal reviewers for responses to open- and closed-ended questions.

Tips for applying for NorthCoast 99:

1

Make It a Team Effort.

Split up the application into sections, and have individuals who specialize in those topics complete those sections.

2

Track Programs & Initiatives.

Throughout the year, document your workplace programs and initiatives in one place, making it easier to reference when completing the application.

3

Share Workplace Details.

Providing the details of your workplace practices allows us to better judge the quality of your organizational programs and policies.

The Value of Applying

What are the benefits?

Completing the NorthCoast 99 application costs a one-time fee of $225 and comes with highly valuable benefits, including access to:

Employee Engagement Report

This valuable publication provides insight into the opinions and level of engagement of your top employees, each of whom participated in a 67-question survey.  More >>

Company Results Report

This complimentary, customized benchmark report is prepared for your organization, allowing you to compare your results with those of the other applicants and 99 winners. 

Company Results Consultation

Applicants can also receive an in-depth consultation with the NorthCoast 99 Research Team to discuss in further detail their Company Results Report findings.  More >>

Winner Practices Report

This report is a comprehensive summary of best practices, benchmark data, stories, examples, and case studies based on data provided by the NC99 Winners.  More >>

And if your organization is named a NorthCoast 99 winner, we provide even more benefits to leverage and brand your award!

Access NC99 Reports

NC99 Repeated Covers - 3000x2250

who is eligible?

To be eligible for the award, your organization must have been in existence for a minimum of three 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:

  • Ashland
  • Ashtabula
  • Carroll
  • Columbiana
  • Crawford
  • Cuyahoga
  • Erie
  • Geauga
  • Harrison
  • Holmes
  • Huron
  • Lake
  • Lorain
  • Mahoning
  • Medina
  • Portage
  • Richland
  • Stark
  • Summit
  • Trumbull
  • Tuscarawas
  • Wayne

Organizations found not to meet the eligibility criteria cannot be included in the data analysis and therefore, are not eligible to receive or purchase any additional reports. Due to the proprietary nature of the content found in the application, no refunds will be granted to organizations found to be ineligible.