• Depth and breadth of community contributions
• Direct support to Knox organizations, schools, sports clubs, charities
• Local employment and economic contribution
• Volunteer programs or community initiatives
• Consistency and sustainability of community involvement

35-40 points: Exceptional, sustained community contribution
with multiple initiatives. Clear evidence of significant positive impact. Goes well beyond business as usual.

25-34 points: Strong community involvement with clear examples. Regular support to local organizations. Demonstrates genuine commitment.

15-24 points: Moderate community involvement. Some examples provided but limited scope or depth.

5-14 points: Minimal community contribution. Vague claims with little evidence.

0-4 points: No meaningful community contribution demonstrated.

• Employee wellbeing and workplace culture
• Ethical business practices
• Customer care and feedback systems
• How challenges are handled with integrity
• Evidence of treating people fairly and building goodwill

25-30 points: Exemplary demonstration of integrity and values. Clear commitment to employee wellbeing. Strong customer feedback systems. Thoughtful handling of challenges.

18-24 points: Good evidence of integrity and values in practice. Positive workplace culture. Reasonable customer care approach.

10-17 points: Basic demonstration of business ethics. Some evidence of values but lacking depth.

4-9 points: Minimal evidence of integrity focus. Vague claims without supporting examples.

0-3 points: No meaningful demonstration of values or integrity.

• Clarity and specificity of responses
• Quality of examples and evidence provided
• Supporting materials strengthen the application
• Professional presentation
• Demonstrates genuine effort and thoughtfulness

17-20 points: Exceptional application. Compelling examples with specific details. Excellent supporting materials. Professional and engaging.

12-16 points: Strong application. Good examples and reasonable supporting evidence. Clear and well-written.

7-11 points: Adequate application. Some good points but lacking detail or evidence in places.

3-6 points: Weak application. Vague responses with minimal supporting evidence.

0-2 points: Very poor application. Insufficient information to assess merit.

• Business is established and sustainable in Knox
• Long-term commitment to the Knox community
• Demonstrates ongoing contribution potential
• Business reputation and standing

8-10 points: Well-established business with strong Knox presence. Clear long-term commitment. Excellent reputation.

5-7 points: Solid business with good Knox presence. Evidence of commitment to staying and growing locally.

3-4 points: Business is present but limited evidence of long-term commitment or sustainability.

0-2 points: Questionable viability or very new with no track record.

• Exceptional service delivery beyond industry standards
• Systems and processes ensuring consistent quality
• Team training and empowerment
• Clear differentiation from competitors
• Specific initiatives to enhance customer experience

35-40 points: Truly exceptional customer service. Multiple strong examples. Clear systems and culture of excellence. Obviously goes above and beyond.

25-34 points: Very good customer service with solid examples. Consistent approach. Staff clearly trained and empowered.

15-24 points: Good customer service. Some examples but not exceptional. Standard approach to service.

5-14 points: Basic customer service. Limited evidence of excellence or differentiation.

0-4 points: No meaningful demonstration of customer service excellence.

• Effective systems for gathering customer feedback
• Responsive to both positive and negative feedback
• Demonstrated improvements based on customer input
• Customer satisfaction measurement
• Examples of acting on feedback

25-30 points: Excellent feedback systems with clear evidence of acting on input. Strong examples of improvements made. Proactive approach.

18-24 points: Good feedback mechanisms. Evidence of responding to customers. Some improvements demonstrated.

10-17 points: Basic feedback approach. Some responsiveness but limited evidence of systematic improvement.

4-9 points: Minimal feedback systems. Little evidence of acting on customer input.

0-3 points: No meaningful customer feedback process.

• Compelling, specific example of exceptional service
• Clear demonstration of going beyond expectations
• Positive outcome for customer
• Illustrates company values and culture
• Authenticity and impact of the story

17-20 points: Outstanding story that clearly demonstrates exceptional service. Specific, compelling, and memorable. Shows genuine care.

12-16 points: Good story with clear example of above-and-beyond service. Demonstrates positive values.

7-11 points: Adequate story but somewhat generic or lacking impact.

3-6 points: Weak story. Vague or doesn't truly demonstrate exceptional service.

0-2 points: No meaningful story provided.

• Customer testimonials or reviews provided
• Quality and relevance of supporting materials
• Professional presentation
•Demonstrates genuine customer appreciation

8-10 points: Excellent supporting evidence. Strong testimonials/reviews. Professional and compelling.

5-7 points: Good supporting materials. Reasonable evidence of customer satisfaction.

3-4 points: Some supporting evidence but limited or weak.

0-2 points: Little or no supporting evidence provided.

• Significance and originality of the innovation
• Creativity in solving problems or meeting needs
• Measurable impact and outcomes
- Differentiation from standard industry practice
• Sustainability or environmental benefits (if applicable)

35-40 points: Truly innovative approach with significant impact. Clear differentiation. Strong measurable outcomes. Creative and well-executed.

25-34 points: Solid innovation with good impact. Clear improvement over previous approach. Reasonable outcomes demonstrated.

15-24 points: Moderate innovation. Some improvement but not particularly unique or impactful.

5-14 points: Minimal innovation. Incremental changes only or poorly explained.

0-4 points: No meaningful innovation demonstrated.

• Evidence of business growth (revenue, customers, market share, etc.)
• Ability to adapt to challenges and changing conditions
• Resilience and problem-solving
• Achievement of milestones
• Strategic approach to growth

25-30 points: Excellent growth with strong measurable outcomes. Demonstrated resilience and smart adaptation. Clear strategic approach.

18-24 points: Good growth and adaptation. Solid response to challenges. Reasonable milestones achieved.

10-17 points: Moderate growth. Some adaptation demonstrated but limited evidence or impact.

4-9 points: Minimal growth or poor response to challenges. Vague claims.

0-3 points: No meaningful growth or adaptation demonstrated.

• Clear, realistic growth plans for Knox
• Commitment to investing in the local area
• Strategic thinking about the future
• Contribution to Knox's economic development
• Sustainability of growth plans

17-20 points: Compelling vision with clear Knox commitment. Realistic and strategic plans. Strong economic contribution potential.

12-16 points: Good future plans with Knox focus. Reasonable growth strategy.

7-11 points Basic future plans. Some Knox commitment but limited detail.

3-6 points: Vague plans or minimal Knox focus.

0-2 points:** No meaningful future vision.

• Clarity and specificity of responses
• Supporting materials demonstrate claims
• Professional presentation
• Measurable data/outcomes provided

8-10 points: Excellent application with strong supporting evidence. Clear metrics and outcomes. Professional.

5-7 points: Good application with reasonable supporting materials.

3-4 points: Adequate application but lacking detail or evidence.

0-2 points: Poor application with minimal supporting information.

• Exceptional service delivery beyond industry standards
• Systems and processes ensuring consistent quality
• Team training and empowerment
• Clear differentiation from competitors
• Specific initiatives to enhance customer experience

30-35 points: Exceptional leadership with outstanding achievements. Clear evidence of significant positive impact. Impressive scope of responsibility.

22-29 points: Strong leadership with solid achievements. Good evidence of impact and results.

13-21 points: Competent leadership. Some achievements but limited scope or impact.

5-12 points: Basic leadership role. Minimal evidence of significant achievements.

0-4 points: Insufficient evidence of meaningful leadership impact.

• Specific initiatives led or championed
• Innovation in approach or thinking
• Community or industry contributions
• Willingness to take calculated risks
• Creativity in problem-solving

21-25 points: Outstanding innovation and initiative. Multiple compelling examples. Clear evidence of driving change.

15-20 points: Strong initiatives with good outcomes. Evidence of innovative thinking.

9-14 points: Some initiatives demonstrated. Moderate innovation.

3-8 points: Limited initiatives or innovation. Mostly reactive rather than proactive.

0-2 points: No meaningful innovation or initiative demonstrated.

• How challenges were identified and overcome
• Learning and development from experiences
• Adaptability and resilience
• Self-awareness and reflection
•Growth trajectory

17-20 points: Excellent demonstration of resilience. Thoughtful reflection on challenges. Clear growth and learning.

12-16 points: Good handling of challenges. Evidence of learning and adaptation.

7-11 points: Some challenges addressed. Basic demonstration of resilience.

3-6 points: Limited evidence of overcoming challenges or minimal reflection.

0-2 points: No meaningful demonstration of resilience or growth.

• Clarity and ambition of future goals
• Commitment to Knox community
• Strategic thinking about the future
• Potential for continued leadership impact
• Plans for community contribution

17-20 points: Compelling vision with strong Knox commitment. Ambitious yet realistic goals. Clear potential for ongoing impact.

12-16 points: Good future plans with Knox focus. Reasonable goals and strategy.

7-11 points: Basic future vision. Some Knox commitment.

3-6 points: Vague plans or limited Knox focus.

0-2 points: No meaningful future vision or Knox commitment.