DSA Annual Awards Program




Achievement is a phenomenal word. It suggests conquering obstacles, reaching a new level, attaining a milestone or the realizing the ultimate goal. It is a word filled with emotion, passion, pride and courage. It is noble. It can be tangible or intangible. It can be yours.

As the Direct Selling Association approaches its 100th year, we focus on the phenomenal people and projects that have made direct selling what it is. Without the vision and courage of countless individuals and companies, millions of people around the world may not know the feeling of success.

In 2009, realize achievement by entering one or more programs in DSA’s annual awards program. We have a brand new slate of awards designed to capture the best of what direct selling companies have to offer. The awards and criteria are outlined below. Please review the information carefully as you decide which of your programs you will enter.

Put yourself in the shoes of one or your field sellers. She works all year to increase her sales and mentor those she has recruited. She has honed her speaking skills and organized her office to work efficiently and effectively. After each sale she imagines walking across the stage at the annual event to the applause of her colleagues.

This same atmosphere can become a reality for your company at this year’s Awards Gala. Elegance, style and sophistication will greet this year’s honorees as they are recognized for their Phenomenal Achievement. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening that promises to fill you with pride in our industry and energize you to achieve bigger and better things.

     
Technology is a key tool for direct selling companies. Whether technology runs back-end systems or helps consultants recruit new sellers, there is a constant demand for innovation in this area. However, success requires much more than investing in off-the-shelf systems. It means identifying a need, evaluating options, developing a plan, creating and implementing the necessary tools and evaluating whether the results effectively addressed the need. The Technology Innovation Award recognizes companies that have developed an innovative use of technology that has had a demonstrable impact on the business and/or the field sellers.

Who is eligible to enter:
Direct selling member companies. (Supplier companies may be recognized in conjunction with a direct selling company. Please see the criteria for details.)

Criteria:

  • The program must have been created primarily by the entering direct selling company. In cases where a supplier company is also recognized, the supplier may be the primary developer of the program, but the program must have been developed for the entering company.
  • Successful entries must describe the need, the process used for developing and implementing the tool and an evaluation of the results illustrating the outcome and criteria used to determine success.
  • The program or its concept must be replicable in whole or in part by other direct selling companies.
  • The program must have been implemented in the past three years.

 
The field salesforce forms the backbone of a direct selling company. Successful companies dedicate significant resources to developing the skills of field sellers. Whether through product training, sales training, business skills training or personal development, companies that stand above the rest develop the individual and the seller. The Excellence in Salesforce Development Award recognizes companies that have implemented an innovative salesforce development program with demonstrated results.

Who is eligible to enter:
Direct selling member companies. (Supplier companies may be recognized in conjunction with a direct selling company. Please see the criteria for details.)

Criteria:

  • The program must have been created primarily by the entering direct selling company. In cases where a supplier company is also recognized, the supplier may be the primary developer of the program, but the program must have been developed for the entering company.
  • Successful entries must describe the development and implementation of the program including objectives and mechanism for measuring success. Quantifiable outcomes must be described.
  • The program or its concept must be replicable in whole or in part by other direct selling companies.
  • The program must have begun in the last three years.

          
Similar to the path of a new recruit, young companies must be nurtured and mentored in order to be successful. It is important to begin the journey to greatness with a solid foundation and strong principles that will serve as the building blocks of success. While these young companies may not have unique programs in place that rise to the level of those recognized by other awards, many smaller companies have great stories to tell – and they should be told. With this in mind, the Rising Star Award is designed to recognize up-and-coming direct selling companies that have dedicated themselves to achieving a high standard of excellence in business operations.

Who is eligible to enter:
Direct selling member companies

Criteria:

  • Companies must have been an active DSA member for at least one year.
  • Companies must have begun direct selling operations less than five years ago.
  • Companies must illustrate a commitment to the tenets of the DSA Code of Ethics.
  • Companies must illustrate a consistent and continued pattern of growth.
  • Companies must demonstrate a well-rounded business strategy including projections for growth in sales, salesforce and tangential activities such as charitable giving.

          
The DSA Partnership Award recognizes Supplier Member companies that provide a product or service that has/had a measurable impact on the growth or development of an Active Member company or increases the profitability of a member. The judges are looking for a sustained relationship between the supplier and active members. Crisis support, where a supplier is an integral part of the solution to a problem, may also be deemed worthy of an award. The recipient can display the award trophy in its exhibit booth and may use the DSA Partnership Award emblem on its company letterhead.

Who is eligible to enter:
Supplier member companies

Criteria:

  • Entrants must be a current Supplier Member of DSA and have at least five (5) years of tenure.
  • How has your company established an ongoing relationship with one or more direct selling companies? Describe the partnership in detail. How has this partnership contributed to the company’s growth and/or success?
  • If the project or program represents a short-term project or crisis support, describe the planning and execution of the project. How were the goals of the project defined and achieved? What short- and long-term benefit did the company realize? Has the relationship continued beyond the specific project?
  • Entrants must submit letters of endorsement from no more than three DSA member companies. The letters should describe the nature of the partnership and provide specific examples of the unique contributions and results provided by the supplier member company.

          
The Success Award may be presented to one or more direct selling companies at the discretion of the judging panel. The award will honor direct selling member companies for excellence in areas not recognized by any other DSA award.

Who is eligible to enter:
Direct selling member companies

Criteria:
The judges will consider programs for this award that serve as models of a high standard of excellence in an area not recognized by any other award. Programs or projects considered for this award should demonstrate a clear objective and proven success. Programs considered for this award will:

  • Serve as models that set a high standard of excellence in a given interest area.
  • Provide a clear goal statement with specific objectives, describe the strategies and tactics used to achieve success and have data to validate results.
  • Have the potential to be adapted, in whole or in part, for use by other companies.
Please note that entries submitted for this award that are determined by the judging panel to fit the criteria for one of the other industry awards will be considered in that category.

          
Direct selling companies help millions of people every year through their earning opportunities – but for many companies, charitable giving also makes up an important part of their corporate structure. Whether through a monetary gift or the dedication of human resources, each company has a unique way to give back to their community – whether local or global. Programs are rarely comparable, but each is significant in its own way.

The incidence of success in charitable among direct selling companies is so great and so diverse it has become nearly impossible to recognize just one or even a handful of direct selling companies. In recognition of the hundreds of direct selling companies that have worked either publicly or silently to improve the lives of others, DSA will recognize the charitable giving efforts of member companies in several ways:

  • An annual calculation of the total amount of charitable giving by USDSA member companies.
  • An annual industry charitable giving report with special features on select charitable giving programs.
  • A certificate of participation for all companies submitting the details of their charitable giving programs along with recognition at the Annual Meeting.
  • A program logo for use by participating companies.
  • Several companies will be featured in video vignettes or displays during DSA Annual Meeting and on DSA’s Web site.

Who is eligible to enter:
Direct selling member companies

Criteria:
Each participating company must submit a completed program application that describes the company’s charitable giving activities including the company’s charitable giving philosophy, total amount donated (in the case of human resources, include a description of these resources and dollar equivalent), organizations benefitting from the company’s activities and decision-making process for charitable giving activities. All companies submitting complete information will be recognized.

  • Please consult the individual criteria for each award. Be sure your entry materials address all elements of the criteria. You may view a PDF of the entry form on the "Enter Now" page (note: this is for informational purposes only - all entries must be submitted online.).
  • The main portion of your entry should be a single PDF document. Feel free to include links to Web pages within the document.
  • Some award categories allow the submission of supplemental materials via mail. These materials should be used sparingly and should add a clear enhancement to the written word. DO NOT submit supplemental materials that merely repackage the information submitted online. Consult the individual award entry form for information on submitting supplemental materials.
  • All entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on Monday, March 16, 2009. No extensions will be granted.
  • Award entries will be acknowledged by March 30, 2009. No phone inquiries please.
  • Award finalists will be notified on or about May 1, 2009. Entrants not chosen as a finalist will be notified by mail.