Winning Tips: A guide to submitting the best entry

1. Understand the organization. JCI (Junior Chamber International) is the world's largest network of young leaders and entrepreneurs. JCI seeks to find ways to recognize and support outstanding examples in leadership and entrepreneurship.
2. Understand the objectives of the program. CYEA is designed specifically to recognize, honor and celebrate exceptional young entrepreneurs and the role of creativity in the success of their endeavor.
3. Creativity is the key. CYEA looks for creative young entrepreneurs that have started a new business using creativity in product development, service development, and in their approach to the market. Or, they have taken an existing business and incorporated creativity to solve a problem, or change a process, to create positive change in their business operations.
4. Study the online form. CYEA nominations are submitted using the online nomination form located on the JCI CYEA website at www.jci.cc/cyea. What is peculiar about this is that once an entry has been submitted, there is no way of correcting it. Participants are therefore encouraged to print the form and study it carefully prior to filling it up and pressing the "SAVE" button.
5. Tailor fit your entry with the judging criteria. Program judges are briefed and given guidelines prior to choosing the finalists. Before submitting an entry, participants are advised to read and understand the judges' guide found on the JCI CYEA website. While filling up the form, make sure that the qualities the judges are looking for are highlighted and emphasized.

   Judges will be asked to assess the nominations according to the following criteria:

   • Using imagination and creativity in production, processes and marketing
   • Impact in the market
   • Leadership (exemplifying the "Hand of the Leader")
   • Degree of innovation within business and marketing processes
   • Development of products or services ahead of the market
   • Imaginative changes and problem solving to create substantive positive change to an existing business or process
   • Expansion in local, national and international markets
   • New approaches, new technologies and/or investment in research and development
   • Risk-taking and responsibility for new directions
6. Points breakdown. For easy reference, go over a summary of the CYEA criteria and corresponding score reprinted below:
   1. The Creative Entrepreneur (maximum of 75 points) -The questions in this section are designed to allow a judge to assess the entrepreneurial spirit of the nominee - the use of ingenuity, creativity and innovation in that spirit, and the success of the entrepreneur's creative approach.
      1. Company Profile (10 points) - Current stage of development, core activities, size, position in the market, and what sets it apart from its competitors.
      2. Entrepreneurial Achievement (25 points) - Details about the use of creativity, ingenuity and innovation in management approach, market strategy, customer service, use of technology, or any other aspect of the company.
      3. Challenges (14 points) - Degree of difficulty in launching and building the company, or in implementing the changes of the established company - the risks involved, obstacles to overcome, and how they were overcome, how it was financed, staffed, and operated, etc.
      4. Company success (14 points) - Success of the company with specific attention to indicators of success such as financial growth, market size, growth of company, job creation, positive impact on the market, reduced costs, etc.
      5. Vision (12 points) - Outline of the plans and prospects of the nominee for the company's future and how they demonstrate creative planning skills.
   2. The Guiding Principles (maximum of 25 points) - The questions in this section are designed to allow the judge to assess the overall personal integrity and guiding principles of the nominee - how they fit the social responsibilities of good leadership into their business life and their role as an entrepreneur.
      1. Leadership qualities (15 points) - Leadership qualities of the nominee, in their professional business and personal life, in different specific areas.
      2. Employee relations (5 points) - Work environment and culture established by the nominee(s) that respects, recognizes and rewards employees. Include a description of the overall corporate structure.
      3. Community involvement (5 points) - Business, charitable and community organizations to which the nominee belongs and the extent of their involvement. Include specific examples of community involvement that illustrate how the nominee demonstrated vision and creativity in a socially beneficial way.
7. Read, review, and consult. Finally, before pressing the "SAVE" button and submitting the entry, read and review the answers and ensure that they are responsive to the questions and they highlight the creativity of the participant.

   Consult a JCI local partner or the CYEA Team (Jef - (0918) 911-2727 / Ana - (0927) 650-6797) who will be happy to assist you and give additional tips.