Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss Awards open for entries

1 Sep 2017

For the third year, Veuve Clicquot, Elle magazine and Old Mutual are celebrating successful women in the 2017 Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss Awards. They are seeking an entrepreneur and corporate winner who demonstrates the clear signs of success and/or exceptional corporate managerial skills and a social conscience. Entrants should have been in business/managerial positions for three years and be between the age of 25-45. Entries close on 29 September 2017.

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Partnership with Veuve Clicquot’s Business Woman Award

"Veuve Clicquot is a proud supporter of women in business internationally, honouring our founder Madame Clicquot, who established herself as one of the first leading female figures in the world of business. Our prestigious Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award seeks to identify and celebrate outstanding women and honour their entrepreneurial spirit. We are therefore extremely proud to partner with Elle magazine in South Africa to present the Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss Award. This award champions the success of South African business women who share the same inspirational qualities as Madame Clicquot: an enterprising spirit, creativity, courage, determination and, of course, success," says Patrick Madendjian, Moët Hennessy Market Manager for South Africa.

Application criteria

Women matching the criteria in the ‘Entrepreneur or Corporate’ category could self-nominate, with either a mentor or manager, seconding their application or they could be nominated, however they will need to consent to the nomination.

Judges will be selected from a wide range of women in leadership from various industries.

Entrepreneur category:

Age: Not younger than 25 and not older than 45 years of age.
Entrepreneurship: Founder/leader of a local business, driving force behind the success of the business. Displays a pioneering approach, business acumen, dynamism, innovation, audacity and tenacity.
Financial Success: Sustained profitable growth and a healthy balance sheet with a minimum turnover of R1m. The applicant must have been in business for a minimum of three years. She is the main shareholder of this business. Not for Profit organisations will be considered, however their justification on financial performance and development will be required. Fundamental measures of success are financial viability and year-on-year growth.
Social Investment: The candidate must have a genuine commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices, such as environmental policies, employee benefits, workforce diversity and community schemes/relationships.
Role Model: Mentoring, succession planning, pushing boundaries, ability to motivate others, relationship building with colleagues/employees, especially for other women.
Involvement in business and industry: Profile and participation in the business sector they operate in and public profile.
Awards or recognition as a significant achiever: The candidate must show that she has personal brand strength.

Corporate category:

Age: Not younger than 25 and not older than 45 years of age.
The candidate must work for a company with a minimum turnover of R15m per annum.
Management experience: The candidate should have no less than three years in a senior position and the entry must confirm the candidate’s advancement in business to date and chronicle success as a manager to date. The candidate should display a pioneering approach, business acumen, dynamism, innovation, audacity and tenacity. She should also demonstrate leadership and team building skills.
Role Model: The candidate will be assessed with regards to her contribution to mentoring, succession planning, pushing boundaries, and her ability to motivate others, relationship building with colleagues/employees and especially for other women.
Social Leadership: Displays qualities of leading by example in any corporate CSI initiatives, public service.
Involvement in business and industry: Profile and participation in the business sector they operate in and public profile.
Will need to demonstrate the success of their brand business personality through awards or recognition as a significant achiever.

Note: Importantly, the candidate is not an employer, major shareholder or owner of a business.

What does the winning 2017 Elle Boss receive?

An 2017 winner will be selected from all finalists from both the corporate and entrepreneurial categories. She will be recognised at a bespoke event hosted by Elle South Africa and Veuve Clicquot in Johannesburg on 9 November 2017.

In addition to the public recognition on the evening of the awards, the general press coverage, a lunch with Khanyi Dhlomo to ask personal, career and development questions as well as features in Elle South Africa (magazine and online /digital platforms), the winner will be flown to visit the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Maison and hosted by Veuve Clicquot in Reims, France, the home of Champagne. The trip will take place in 2018 and will include all flights, accommodation and a daily allowance.

The runner-up will receive a special Veuve Clicquot Experience, including a private dinner for her and five guests, to relax and unwind, to savour the recognition of her meaningful achievement to date as a Woman in Business (Terms & Conditions apply).

Four further Elle Boss runners-up will receive a Magnum of Veuve Clicquot.

All finalists will be invited to attend the Elle Boss Awards event on 9 November in Johannesburg. Finalists must fly themselves if they do not live in Johannesburg and be responsible for their own accommodation.

For more information, click here.

Please note that this article has been updated.