Frequently asked questions

Award levels

Q: What are the award levels?

• Best Managed new winner (new applicant; year one)
• Best Managed winner (years 2 & 3)
• Gold Standard winner (year 4, 5 & 6)
• Platinum Club member (years 7+)

The online application system will recognize your company profile and progress to the next level per the above.

Q: What is the difference between a Best Managed new winner, Best Managed winner, Gold Standard winner and a Platinum Club member?

A successful first-time applicant becomes one of the Best Managed new winners. First time applicants must complete a two-phased application form – The first part determining eligibility; the second part working with their coaches to answer specific questions regarding their management practices.

The following year, the winner has the opportunity to 'requalify' and retain their status as a Best Managed winner for two years, along with all benefits of the award. This is a simplified version of the original application form used to verify the candidates' Best Managed status.

Upon entering its fourth year of the program, a company must successfully complete the original application questions (Phase I and II) once again to be awarded the Gold Standard designation. Companies must demonstrate their commitment to the program throughout their responses.

Similar to the process in years 2 & 3, companies are invited to complete a simplified application to retain its Gold Standard status for an additional two years (5 & 6).

To achieve Platinum Club membership, companies must have successfully retained their Best Managed status for six years, continually representing the Best Managed standard of excellence. The application process is once again two-phased; successful completion grants winners the elite Platinum Club designation. Following admission to the Platinum Club, companies must reapply using the simplified application form year after year to retain its designation and all associated program benefits.

Q: Can a company win a Canada's Best Managed Companies award more than once?

Absolutely. Per the above, successful applicants progress through the various award levels of the program each year. Companies must apply annually to retain their status, subject to review of management practices.

Application

Q: How does a company apply to become one of Canada's Best Managed Companies?

Submit an online Phase I application to start the Canada's Best Managed Companies process during the call for application period.

Q: Is there a cost to apply to the Canada's Best Managed Companies program?

There is no fee to apply to the program.

Q: When is the deadline to apply?

View the Key dates here.

Q: Where can I find a sample of the application?

Please contact the national administrator at bestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.ca

Password

Q: How do I reset my password?

A: To reset or retrieve your password, please follow the steps below.

1. Visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca
2. Click “Apply now” or “Application site”
   
3. Click "Sign In"
   
4. Enter your email address, and click “Next” 

You will be redirected to the Deloitte multi-factor authentication (MFA) page. From here, select “Forgot password?” which will trigger an email to your inbox with instructions for resetting your password. Please follow the instructions provided to reset your password.

• Password history is enabled to prevent re-use of passwords (temporary passwords expire after 24 hours)
• Passwords reset every 84 days
  
• Account is locked after 5 failed attempts
  
• Password reset links expire after 2 hours
  

Q: What else do I need my username and password for?

A: Once the Phase I application has been submitted, you will need your username (email address) and password to see all Phase I information. If you are advanced to Phase II, you will be able to use your username and password to access your coach's contact information and the Phase II application. If you are a winner, you may use your username and password to retrieve information regarding exclusive events such as the gala and symposium, to download the Best Managed logos and logo usage guidelines and other promotional documents, etc.

Q: What does it mean when the system tells me my account has been locked out?

A: After five unsuccessful login attempts, the system will automatically lock you out for 30 minutes for security purposes. Once the 30 minutes has expired, close your browser, clear your browser cache, and try logging in again. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it by clicking on the "Forgot your password" link located after the “Sign In” page. An email with instructions to reset your password will be sent to your email address. Please follow these instructions to reset your password. Once your password has been reset, you will still be required to wait 30 minutes before attempting to log in again.

Q: How do I update my company's profile?

A: Please submit your application prior to updating any information on your company profile; the system will automatically transfer this information to the application form, and all individuals with access to the application will be able to update the  company profile at any time by signing in with the designated username and password. On the home page, select the "Company details" tab and click "edit." Be sure to save any changes you make using the “save” button at the bottom of each page.

Privacy

Q: What is the privacy policy regarding the handling of my information?

A: Privacy & Confidentiality Notice

Your information
Information collected by Deloitte LLP and the other Program sponsors (collectively, "Canada's Best Managed Companies" and also referred to below as "we", "us", or "our") is used to evaluate eligibility and candidacy for, and to support the activities, administration, and analysis of the Canada's Best Managed Companies Program (the "Program"). Information collected as part of the Program, including but not limited to contact information of participants, information supporting an organization’s candidacy and evaluation, and information collected through Program events (“Participant Information”) may be retained and used by Canada's Best Managed Companies, its sponsors, or other service providers in order to support the activities, administration and analysis of the Program. Participant Information may also be used to identify and inform you by using electronic messaging and other forms of communications, about services, information, and events when Canada's Best Managed Companies believe these communications and opportunities will interest you, and for research and development purposes. Participant Information may be aggregated and Deloitte LLP may use, disclose, or make public that information as part of research and advice, including benchmarking, provided that such Participant Information will be de-identified and not subject to association with the participant. Participant Information collected by or provided to Canada’s Best Managed Companies may be used, processed, disclosed and stored outside of Canada. Participant Information may also be shared with third parties that provide administrative, technical, or support services to Canada's Best Managed Companies. Participant Information may also be shared with other Deloitte entities, including but not limited to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its member firms and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (including Deloitte LLP). Participants agree that Canada's Best Managed Companies may incorporate a link to their corporate website into www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca if they are successful. By submitting an application, documents, or information to Canada's Best Managed Companies, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of such information in accordance with this notice, including sharing of your information with Program sponsors.

Information security
Steps to safeguard information provided to Canada’s Best Managed Companies including, but not limited to participant information include password-protecting access to participant profiles on our website, as well as technological and organizational measures to protect information against loss of and unauthorized access to your information. Where Canada’s Best Managed Companies works with third parties, we take measures to ensure your information receives an appropriate level of protection, including contractual safeguards in agreements with Program sponsors and members of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Selection Board. Information may be disclosed to law enforcement, regulatory or other government agencies or third parties, where necessary or desirable to comply with legal or regulatory obligations or requests or in support of the administration of the Program or to otherwise provide infrastructure support to Deloitte.

Your choices
Canada's Best Managed Companies respects the choices of participants and their identified contacts. Individuals may review, update and correct their personal information, and request removal from our mailing list or sponsor mailing lists at any time. However, certain elements of the Program regarding application status and Program updates will require system-generated messages to be sent. Program participants cannot opt out from receiving these messages without withdrawing from the Program.

Updates to the Privacy and Confidentiality Notice
Canada’s Best Managed Companies may update this Privacy & Confidentiality Notice from time to time, in our sole discretion, by placement of an updated Privacy & Confidentiality Notice on this website, with the date of the most recent update at the bottom of this page. Participants are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy & Confidentiality Notice from time to time, so as to be aware of any changes.

Contact us
Contact Canada's Best Managed Companies Program if you have questions or concerns about our handling of your information by email at bestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.ca.
Last updated August 2021

Q: Who will have access to my financial information?

A: Deloitte, CIBC and the judging panel, comprised of program sponsors, will review the financial information put forward. The judging panel is required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.

Q: How do I update my company's profile?

A: You will be able to update your contact information and your company's profile at any time by signing in with your username and password and accessing the "My profile" and "My company's profile" sections.

Q: One of our Canada's Best Managed Companies contacts has left our company, how do I remove them from our application?

A: Please contact the national administrator at bestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.ca.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Q: How do companies qualify and what is the eligibility criteria?

A: View the eligibility criteria.

Q: Can I nominate another company besides my own?

A: Absolutely. Email us at bestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.ca.

Q: What decision criteria do you use to determine Canada's Best Managed Companies?

A: We examine four categories of a company's structure: strategy, capabilities and innovation, culture and commitment and governance and financials. See evaluation framework for more information.

Q: How much does my revenue and revenue growth factor into the judges' decision?

A: Financial strength is certainly important when determining a company's stability however, Best Managed is an all-encompassing program which focuses on a number of areas to measure management strength. Regional economic conditions and industry trends are considered while evaluating the financial component of your application.

Q: How do you decide which companies move to Phase II of the application process?

A: Deloitte and CIBC leaders review the Phase I applications for eligibility and determine those that move forward.

Benefits

Q: What are the benefits of applying to this program?

A: The benefit of applying. That’s right, you benefit even if you don’t win!

• Coaching from Deloitte and CIBC professionals
• Detailed self-analysis of your business focused on strategic and operational issues
• Shine a light on current best practices and areas for improvement

The benefit of winning. All the benefits of applying, plus more in store for winners!

• Exclusive use of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation
• Extensive national, regional and local media exposure
• Access to year-round networking opportunities with other exceptional business leaders
• Strengthened ability to attract and retain talent
• Recognition by over 2,000 business influencers at an exclusive gala celebration
• Celebrate the efforts and commitment of your entire company
• Professional development at the Canada’s Best Managed Companies symposium featuring the latest in business leadership and cutting-edge thinking

Q: How much media coverage can I expect to receive?

A: All Best Managed companies are included in national media coverage announcing the winners annually. Many of our winners are approached for additional media opportunities specific to their industry and/or region. Best Managed companies may also be featured in editorial coverage by our media sponsor throughout the year.

Q: What makes this awards program different than the others out there?

A: The Canada's Best Managed Companies award recognizes your entire company. It's uniquely Canadian, and it measures more than strong financial performance. The Best Managed program continues to grow internationally with presence in 37 countries and continued global expansion.