Achievement Categories
Recognizing singular achievements of various types of entire organizations (for-profit or nonprofit, large, medium, or small, public or private).
Nominations that won in the 2026 ABAs may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2027 ABAs. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.
Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2027 competition include
1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization’s achievements since January 1, 2025, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 1,300 characters). Required
b. Outline the achievements since the beginning of 2025 that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 1,900 characters). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization’s past performance (up to 1,900 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional
2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, or images, for example.
M55. Achievement in Business Transformation (New for 2027)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that significantly transformed its strategy, business model, organizational structure, operations, or capabilities. Applicable achievements may include enterprise-wide transformation, restructuring, modernization, new ways of working, or other major changes that produced measurable improvements in organizational performance.
M56. Achievement in Collaboration and Partnership
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s collaborative initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that involved cross-sector, cross-functional, or external partnerships and delivered significant business, social, or operational value. Applicable achievements may include public-private partnerships, industry-academia collaboration, or strategic alliances that enhanced innovation, impact, or growth.
M57. Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s CSR initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that demonstrate your commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives and wellbeing of the communities you serve and in which you operate.
M58. Achievement in Customer Experience (New for 2027)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that significantly improved the experience of its customers. Applicable achievements may include customer journey transformation, personalization, omnichannel experiences, accessibility, customer engagement, service improvements, or other initiatives that produced measurable improvements in the overall customer experience.
M59. Achievement in Customer Satisfaction
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that have demonstrably increased customer satisfaction over a prior period.
M60. Achievement in Data & Analytics (New for 2027)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that used data and analytics to improve decision-making, operations, customer experiences, or organizational performance. Applicable achievements may include business intelligence, predictive analytics, data strategy and governance, advanced reporting and visualization, or other data-driven initiatives that produced significant and measurable results.
M61. Achievement in Digital Transformation (New for 2027)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that used digital technologies to significantly transform its operations, processes, products, services, customer experiences, or business model. Applicable achievements may include modernization of legacy systems, process digitization, cloud transformation, automation, or the implementation of new digital platforms and capabilities.
M62. Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 to make your organization more diverse and inclusive for customers, employees, partners, suppliers, and/or other stakeholders.
M63. Achievement in Finance
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s finance-related achievements since the beginning of 2025. Applicable achievement(s) may relate to start-up funding, investor relations, refinancing, financial management, budgeting, etc.
M64. Achievement in Global Collaboration
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that demonstrated outstanding success in cross-border or international collaboration. Applicable achievements may include multinational joint ventures, global research partnerships, or international projects that drove innovation, market access, or cultural exchange.
M65. Achievement in Growth
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s growth-related achievements since the beginning of 2025. Applicable achievement(s) may relate to corporate expansion, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, etc.
M66. Achievement in Health and Safety Excellence
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that enhanced health, safety, or well-being in the workplace or community. Applicable achievements may include improvements in safety protocols, employee wellness programs, mental health initiatives, or public health campaigns.
M67. Achievement in Human Resources
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that have demonstrably improved the organization’s relationship with its employees, over a prior period.
M68. Achievement in International Expansion
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 to grow its business or operations in nations other than the USA.
M69. Achievement in Operational Excellence (New for 2027)
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that significantly improved operational performance. Applicable achievements may include process improvement, productivity gains, cost reduction, quality improvement, workflow optimization, increased efficiency, or other initiatives that produced measurable improvements in organizational performance.
M70. Achievement in Organization Recovery
This is the “business turnaround” category. Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that have demonstrably improved the organization’s financial or operational performance, over a prior period.
M71. Achievement in Product Innovation
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more product-related achievements since the beginning of 2025. Applicable achievement(s) may relate to innovation in product design or redesign, manufacturing processes or operations, branding, etc.
M72. Achievement in Sales or Revenue Generation
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that have demonstrably increased sales or other revenue, over a prior period.
M73. Achievement in Science or Technology
Successful nominations in this category will describe one or more of your organization’s initiatives since the beginning of 2025 that have advanced scientific knowledge, research, engineering, applied science, or technological practice.
M74. Achievement in Sustainability and Environmental Impact (New for 2027)
Recognizing measurable achievements in areas such as emissions reduction, energy efficiency, waste reduction, circularity, sustainable operations, conservation, climate initiatives, or other environmental improvements since the beginning of 2025.
M75. Achievement in Technology Innovation
Successful nominations in this category will describe the development and successful implementation of a breakthrough technology, platform, system, or technical capability.