Are you the next Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss?

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Veuve Clicquot and Elle magazine set out to celebrate women who have been in business for at least three years – women already demonstrating clear signs of success, and/or, exceptional corporate managerial skills and a social conscience.

“The current Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss, Amanda Dambuza, is a woman who embodies what it means to be a leader. Running a project management services company, Uyandiswa, which has scores of employees and makes a staggering annual turnover, and also mentoring girls through her social enterprise network, Dambuza demonstrates the qualities we’re looking for in the next Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss,” said Khanyi Dhlomo, founder and CEO of Ndalo Media and Elle publisher.

Nomination criteria

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

Entrepreneur Category:

1. Age: Not younger than 25 and not older than 45 years of age.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Financial Success: Sustained profitable growth and a healthy balance sheet with a minimum turnover of R1 million. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Role Model: Mentoring, succession planning, pushing boundaries, ability to motivate others, relationship building with colleagues/employees, especially for other women.
   
6. Involvement in business and industry: Profile and participation in the business sector they operate in and public profile.
   
7. Awards or recognition as a significant achiever: The candidate must show that she has personal brand strength.
   

Corporate Category:

1. Age: Not younger than 25 and not older than 45 years of age.
   
2. The candidate must work for a company with a minimum turnover of R15 million per annum.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Social Leadership: Displays qualities of leading by example in any corporate CSI initiatives, public service.
   
6. Involvement in business and industry: Profile and participation in the business sector they operate in and public profile.
   
7. 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.

Deadline for entries is 14 September 2018.

Judging

Judges will include Khanyi Dhlomo, Founder and CEO of Ndalo Media and Elle publisher and Aimee Kellen, Regional Marketing Manager Moët Hennessy, with further judges selected from a wide range of women in leadership from various industries.

A Veuve Clicquot Elle Boss 2018 winner will be selected from all finalists from both the corporate and entrepreneurial categories. There will be one overall winner from either the corporate or entrepreneurial category.

They will be recognised at a bespoke event hosted by Elle South Africa and Veuve Clicquot in Johannesburg on 18 October 2018.

Prizes

In addition to the public recognition on the evening of the awards, the general press coverage, the winner will also receive one-on-one mentoring during a two-hour session with powerhouse business moghul 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 2019 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 (T&Cs apply).

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

For more information, see the website: www.elle.co.za/could-you-be-the-2018-veuve-clicquot-elle-boss