Special Section: Better Business Bureau

A Celebration of

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25th Anniversary of Torch Awards for Ethics PRESENTED BY BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU® SERVING CENTRAL OHIO

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The Power of Trust BBB’s TRUST! Framework is designed to help guide business leaders, nonprofit executives and community leaders to take an intentional, introspective look at how they operate their business relative to the six TRUST! principles.

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e at BBB believe in the power of trust, and our mission is to advance trust in business.

We believe that businesses who embrace trust as a core value in their organization will see that it leads to growth in employees, customers, community and their bottom line.

Through evaluation and Accreditation, education and training, and celebrating great role models, BBB builds a community of like-mind-

Profiles by Emma Frankart Henterly Design by Yogesh Chaudhary Torch photos by Tim Johnson, Rob Hardin Other photos courtesy BBB BBB Celebration of Trust is published by GateHouse Media, LLC. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2019, all rights reserved.

Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

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ColumbusCEO l 2019 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

ed businesses that then have the opportunity to impact people and communities positively. It’s a family relying on a contractor to repair the roof that will keep them dry, warm and safe. It’s the small family business depending on its employees to do what’s right for its customers as they have done for generations, and as consumers it’s why we return to and refer those businesses that uphold the trust we put in them.

To us, trust is the glue that holds communities together; it’s the principle BBB was founded on, and it’s what continues to motivate us today.

The basis for the Torch Awards entry process is BBB’s TRUST! Framework, which outlines six guiding principles and provides benchmarks on which organizations can reflect, evaluate and determine what core values drive their mission and goals. We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of the BBB Trust Score, which is built around this framework. This new tool will allow trust to be an internal performance metric within an organization and, based on the scores, will offer specific programs and resources customized to the needs of the organization. More details on the BBB Trust Score will be shared at the 2019 Torch Awards for Ethics luncheon.

We are excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary of the Torch Awards this year and, most importantly, to honor our three newest recipients of the Torch Awards for Ethics. These organizations have demonstrated that they are committed to advancing trust in our community.

Each of our 2019 Torch Awards for Ethics winners—which are profiled in the upcoming pages—have taken intentional steps to establish a culture based on trust, and we are delighted to share their best practices with you. At the luncheon, BBB will also award 10 future leaders, high school seniors who are the winners of our 2019 Students of Integrity award, with scholarships sponsored by Columbia Gas. And, BBB will recognize the three young organizations that were presented with BBB Spark Awards earlier this year. Ron Price, an internationally recognized business advisor, executive coach, speaker and author, will be our keynote speaker for the afternoon, and Laura Borchers from Consumer 10/WBNS 10TV will serve as our emcee.

We hope that you will join us in this Celebration of Trust. Because when trust rises, business soars; teams outperform in their industry; and in the end, businesses and communities grow.

Kip Morse

President & CEO Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ohio

Emphasis on Ethics Students and young business leaders receive recognition.

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ach year, Better Business Bureau’s Center for Character Ethics recognizes two additional cohorts of ethics leaders through its Spark Awards and Students of Integrity scholarship.

BBB Spark Awards are given to entrepreneurs age 35 and younger or businesses that are less than three years old and demonstrate an intentional focus on Character, Culture and Community.

The fourth cohort of Spark Awards winners was recognized earlier this year and includes Acceptd, which connects artists with recruiters and decision-makers; Agility Partners, an IT professional

resourcing and consulting firm; The Columbus Book Project, which creates coffee table books about the city; and Warrior Wear, a men’s yoga apparel company. All four were selected by an independent panel of judges for their intentional focus on the three Spark attributes of Character, Culture and Community. For more information on the awards, including how to apply in 2020, visit bbbSparkAward.com.

For more than 15 years, BBB’s Center for Character Ethics has bestowed Students of Integrity Scholarship Awards on area youth who show exemplary leadership, community service,

Proud to Support the BBB Torch Awards

The Spark Awards class of 2019 overall personal integrity and academic accomplishment.

An independent panel of judges selects 10 winners to each receive a $1,000 scholarship, generously provided by Columbus Gas, to the college or university of their choice.

Congratulations to this year’s winners: Emma Garee, Northridge High School; Cheyenne Gluckle, West Liberty-Salem High School; Madeline Huff, Adena High School; Eleanor

Jeffers, Columbus Academy; J.K. Kearns, Alexander High School; Madelyn Meiser, Coshocton High School; Adwoa Nkansah-Amankra, The Arts and College Preparatory Academy; Aaron Sharp, Amanda-Clearcreek High School; Abigail Tolliver, Sheridan High School; and Julia Wysocki, Newark High School. Learn more about the scholarship program at bbbStudentsofIntegrity.com.

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2019 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics l ColumbusCEO

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25 Years of Celebrating Trust in the Community The TRUST! Principles Transformation at the “Top”

Leaders are reflective and intentionally work to increase manifestations of their own high character in the culture.

Reinforce and Build

Leaders reinforce and build a culture of high character ethics.

Unite the Team

Leaders unify the organization around a clear purpose and compelling convictions.

Steer Performance

Leaders guide organizational performance by implementing high competency management practices.

Treasure People

Leaders prize the intrinsic value of people.

Enthusiastically Reinvest!

Leaders generously support the community that supports them.

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BBB honors three local organizations for their ethical best practices.

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or 25 years, the Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ohio’s Center for Character Ethics has recognized local businesses and nonprofits that go above and beyond when it comes to running their organizations with ethics and integrity. And, during the last 25 years, the Torch Awards for Ethics— BBB Serving Central Ohio’s highest honor—have been presented to more than 100 such organizations across Central Ohio, including this year’s three new honorees. Local winners go on to compete for the International Torch Awards through the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

Torch Award Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges for their intentional focus and best practices in upholding the BBB TRUST! Principles (see sidebar, left).

You can learn more about the Torch Awards, including how to nominate your organization or one you admire for the 2020 awards, by visiting bbbTorchAward.com.

ColumbusCEO l 2019 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

Ability Matters 425 Metro Place N Dublin, Ohio abilitymattersohio.com Owner/CEO: Dr. Kristyn Butler Employees: 244 Founded: 2008 About: Agency that emphasizes community inclusion for adults and youth ages 16 and up through programs that meet the varied social and behavioral needs of individuals.

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ll staff members, including myself as CEO, must demonstrate ethical character and behaviors in our care to our customers,” writes Dr. Kristyn Butler in a letter that was part of Ability Matters’ Torch Awards application.

“Our stated vision, to ‘shape the future by providing the highest quality of care for individuals with disabilities,’ reflects my lifelong career devotion to ensure

that persons with disabilities are treated with care and love.”

Torch Awards judges appreciated how the company has taken its vision and mission from idea, to workshops, to personal examples of how staff are “walking the walk,” so to speak.

Cathy Sankey, leadership consultant at Ability Matters, wrote in the company’s application that Butler “has worked extensively to create a culture and climate that fosters and develops a caring, accepting and inclusive environment for each of the consumers Ability Matters serves.” Sankey goes on to say that this mission can only be achieved in an ethical environment—and that communications from Butler and her team demonstrate their dedication to a high ethical culture.

“Our fervent hope at Ability Matters is that not only will our consumers’ and families’ lives change positively by our ethical practices, mission and vision, but that our society’s ethics toward the treatment of individuals with disabilities will improve, leading to a better world,” more information, visit ButlerFor writes.

Columbia Cares for Ohio Congratulations to the 2019 Student of Integrity Award Winners.

For more information, visit ColumbiaGasOhio.com

ColumbiaGasOhio.com

Dr. Kristyn Butler, CEO 2019 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics l ColumbusCEO

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Chad and Keri Hubbs, owners

Hubbs Heating & Air JUDGES FOR THE 2019 TORCH AWARDS Tim Burnham Salas O’Brien, managing principal Shannon Lee Relá, executive director Marchelle Moore Encova Insurance, SVP, chief legal officer & corporate secretary Parag Shah Nationwide, chief ethics officer Scott McComb Heartland Bank, chairman and CEO Cathy Blackford Columbus Builders Exchange, executive director (retired)

Tom Welch Grange, CEO (retired) Joe Cole TRC, global brand & marketing leader

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545 E. Main St., Lancaster, Ohio hubbsheating.com Owner/CEO: Keri Hubbs Employees: 17 Founded: 2009 About: Family-owned HVAC company providing residential and commercial services and installations.

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n the evaluation process, the judges homed in on Hubbs Heating & Air’s best practice that centered around the second Torch Award criteria, Reinforce & Build.

In her application, owner and CEO Keri Hubbs writes about developing her company’s policy for maintaining its Code of Ethics while “providing the best quality of service that upholds our core values such as honesty, quality, and integrity” to both homeowners and home warranty companies. Ultimately, they developed a simple, transparent and honest solution.

“Our new policy required us to provide a copy of our findings and our recommended solution to both the homeowner and the payor source,” Hubbs writes. “All parties involved would see the same information, and the homeowner would be fully aware of what was approved and what was

ColumbusCEO l 2019 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

recommended by our professional technicians.” She adds that the homeowner also has the choice to decline or approve the repair that Hubbs recommends.

“Committing to treating two stakeholder groups ethically is not always an easy path—but it is possible,” wrote one judge.

The practice worked in the company’s favor. Despite initial concerns, Hubbs Heating & Air has found that both customers and the warranty company appreciate the change. “Being upfront and ethical works out best for all,” Hubbs notes.

Pickerington Pets and Supplies 1514 Stonecreek Drive S Pickerington, Ohio petlandpickerington.com Owner: Richard Curnutte Sr. Employees: 20 Founded: 2010 About: Locally owned retail pet store that sells pets and pet supplies.

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hen asked on the Torch application about her company’s ethical practices, general manager Christina Wood’s responses were “very thorough and

demonstrated growth in ethics and integrity, not only for [her]self but for the whole company,” wrote one judge.

Another added, “Strong efforts for such a small business!” The selection committee also took note about the intentionality of the company to avoid bad breeders and the policies they have in place to do so.

The company’s mission statement— Our Pet Counselors are dedicated to matching the right pet with the right person and meeting the needs of both.

To our customers who already own pets, we are dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and enjoyment of the human/ animal bond.—was a key point in much of Wood’s application. That statement is written on one full wall of the store, she notes, for all to see and be reminded of.

A rigorous, in-house, five-day training program for new hires ensures that all employees are prepared to fulfill this mission to its fullest, she writes, adding that employee recognition practices and ongoing training support continued staff success in this area.

“No matter what position an employee holds, there are many opportunities for training and development,” Wood writes.

“Our goal is to provide as much education as an employee is willing to do to become the best possible person in their position.”

Congratulations to the 2019 Torch Awards Recipients!

newlooksidings.com

Proud Sponsor of the 2019 Torch Awards for Ethics

Congratulations to the recipients of the

2019 Torch Awards for Ethics Your outstanding commitment to building honor and trust in the marketplace is truly appreciated.

www.sheakley.com

Congratulations!

USI & My Benefit Advisor sends our congratulations to the recipients of the 2019 Torch Awards for Ethics

2019 TORCH AWARDS FOR ETHICS Encova Insurance, formerly Motorists Insurance Group, is proud to support an organization that promotes trust in the marketplace. Congratulations to all 2019 Torch Awards for Ethics recipients.

Christina Wood, general manager

encova.com

2019 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics l ColumbusCEO

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Thank you to our 2019 Torch Awards for Ethics Sponsors

Artina Promotional Products, CPMedia & Marketing, Custom Air Conditioning and Heating Co., Grange Insurance, Storyforge, ScottsMiracle-Gro, The Waterworks

START WITH TRUST

®

Better Business Bureau is a community based resource, a trusted advisor, and a partner in business. At the core of a better business is trust - and soon BBB will launch the Trust Score, a program that presents trust as a performance metric.

“We were an early adopter of the Trust Score, and it has become embedded into our business...it’s now a competitive strength and it’s part of our culture.”

Scott McComb, Chairman/CEO, Heartland Bank

When trust rises, business soars.

To find out more about the Trust Score program, or to schedule the Trust Score for your organization, visit bbb.org/centralohio/bbbtrustscore