Chapter 8: Collecting Credible Supporting Evidence
A business achievement nomination becomes more credible when its important claims are supported by relevant, accessible, and trustworthy evidence. A well-written narrative explains what happened, while supporting materials help judges evaluate whether the stated actions and results are substantiated.
Evidence should not be collected merely to create a large submission. A few strong materials directly connected to the nominated achievement may be more useful than many unrelated links or attachments. Every item should help answer a specific question: What was accomplished, who contributed, when did it occur, what changed, and what supports the claimed result?
Public Webpages
An organization’s website can provide useful evidence about a product launch, business initiative, leadership appointment, community program, customer service improvement, or other workplace achievement.
A strong webpage should clearly identify the organization, subject, date, and relevant information. A general homepage usually provides little evidence unless it contains the claim being cited. Link to the most specific page available.
Before submitting a webpage:
- Confirm that the link works without requiring a login
- Check that the relevant information is easy to locate
- Record the publication or update date
- Preserve an approved copy or screenshot for internal records
- Avoid links that are temporary, incomplete, or likely to be removed
A company webpage is self-published evidence. It can still be useful, but independent sources may provide additional support when available.
Press Releases and News Coverage
Press releases can document announcements, launches, partnerships, milestones, expansions, appointments, and reported business results. They are most helpful when they contain specific facts rather than promotional statements.
Independent news coverage may add context or third-party confirmation. However, publication does not automatically prove every claim in an article. Entrants should distinguish among independently reported journalism, contributed articles, sponsored content, and press-release republication.
Do not describe paid placement or syndicated press-release content as independent editorial coverage. Provide accurate dates and direct links to the relevant material.
Reports and Published Documents
Annual reports, impact reports, sustainability reports, public filings, research reports, audited statements, case studies, and government publications may support measurable results.
Use the most relevant section rather than expecting judges to search through a lengthy document. Identify the page, table, or passage that supports the claim. When citing a statistic, confirm that the document defines the measurement period, population, methodology, and geographic scope.
Internal reports should be submitted only if the applicable program permits them and the organization has authorized their use. Remove confidential, personal, proprietary, or legally restricted information where appropriate. Never submit documents protected by a nondisclosure agreement.
Testimonials and References
Testimonials from customers, employees, partners, beneficiaries, or other stakeholders can help explain the practical effect of an achievement. A useful testimonial identifies the person or organization, relationship to the achievement, and specific result observed.
General praise such as “They did an excellent job” provides limited evidence. A more credible testimonial explains what changed, how the nominee contributed, and why the result mattered.
Obtain permission before submitting a person’s name, quotation, image, contact details, or private communication. Do not write a testimonial for someone else and present it as their independent statement. Where anonymity is necessary, explain the reason and follow applicable program requirements.
Presentations and Slides
Presentations can summarize a project’s objectives, timeline, implementation, challenges, and results. They are particularly useful when an achievement involves several stages or measurable outcomes.
Keep slides readable and focused. Charts should include titles, units, time periods, sources, and baselines. Images should have captions, and any confidential information should be removed with organizational approval. Avoid submitting an entire corporate sales presentation when only a few slides relate to the nominated achievement.
Videos
Videos may demonstrate a product, explain an initiative, show implementation, or present testimony from relevant participants. A concise video can make a complex achievement easier to understand.
The video should identify the nominated achievement, explain the nominee’s role, and present relevant results. It should be accessible without a password or account when required by the applicable program. Check audio quality, captions, permissions, music rights, image rights, and link availability before submission.
A highly polished promotional video is not necessarily stronger evidence than a clear, fact-based explanation.
Published Statistics and Data
Statistics can support claims involving revenue, cost savings, productivity, adoption, customer outcomes, quality, safety, employee results, environmental improvements, or community benefits.
Every statistic should have a source and appropriate context. Explain:
- What was measured
- Who or what was included
- The baseline and comparison period
- The geographic scope
- Whether the figure is actual, estimated, projected, or independently verified
Avoid selectively presenting only favorable data while omitting material limitations. Correlation should not be described as causation unless the evidence supports that conclusion.
Obtain Appropriate Organizational Approvals
Before collecting or submitting evidence, identify who must approve its use. Depending on the material, approval may be needed from management, communications, legal, human resources, finance, information security, privacy, customers, partners, or intellectual-property owners.
Approval is especially important when evidence contains financial results, employee information, customer data, security details, unpublished product information, photographs, testimonials, or partner names. Submission to an awards program does not make unauthorized disclosure acceptable.
Create an evidence file throughout the year that records the source, date, owner, approval status, and claim supported by each item. This makes future business award nominations easier to prepare and verify.
Organizations and professionals worldwide may document meaningful local, regional, or global achievements. Organization size and geographic reach do not automatically determine merit. Eligibility and supporting-material requirements depend on the applicable Globee Awards program and category.
Supporting evidence can strengthen a nomination, but it does not guarantee recognition. Independent recognition cannot guarantee publicity, customers, employment, promotions, investment, revenue, partnerships, career advancement, or future success.
Review current Globee Awards programs, categories, nomination rules, and supporting-material requirements at GlobeeAwards.com