Best-In-Class Awards

What is the eCompliments Best-In-Class Awards or BICA?
BICA will be the first national awards program consistent throughout the nation, that encompasses the breadth of the EC Best-In-Class Awards (anything, anywhere, anyone, any business, product, etc).  BICA is offered in every city and town (over 100,000 pop.) in America. The beauty of the BICA is that it considers every category in every town in America. So you have a BICA for best dentist, realtor, insurance agent, plumber, car lot, restaurant, etc., multiplied by every major town and every single city.

How does a profile qualify & apply for the BICA?
Any profile (whether free or ePro) with an eComplimeter ranking that meets the minimum required number of compliments will automatically qualify to submit an application to be considered for the BICAs.

How many BICA’s will be given?
BICA categories are determined by two factors:  (1) geographical area – every Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) with a population over 100,000 will have its own set of BICAs; and (2) taxonomical categories within the eCompliments system – when you create your profile you are able to be listed in a number of categories within our system.  Each MSA, depending on its size, will have a certain number of BICA categories.  Currently, we estimate that in January 2010, we will award over 100,000 BICAs for the 2009 year.  Each subsequent year, we will increase the available categories as needed.

What’s the benefit of being a BICA?
Being recognized as the most complimented business in a category or area has endless marketing benefits. As a business, you will be able to utilize your recognition to strengthen customer loyalty, employee pride, spread word of mouth, and earn new business. The Best-In-Class Award symbol will convey immeasurable positive thoughts and credibility about a business to all that see it.

What do you get for being a BICA?
We will provide award recipients the following for free:

• A listing on the “Award Winner” list posted on our website.
• A Best-In-Class Award seal that will be prominently posted on your eCompliments profile and search results bar for the year following the award date.
• One year complimentary eCompliments annual pro membership.

We will provide award recipients the following package for $100:

• One year license option to promote your Best-In-Class Award through print and electronic marketing and advertising.
• Press release by eCompliments announcing your Best-In-Class Award that we submit to local news publications and media outlets.
• One year digital license option for Best-In-Class Award seal that you can place on your website and electronic communications.

Other packages are being developed to include:

• Best-In-Class Award seal stickers that can be placed on office, store or vehicle windows, or cash wraps counters.
• Best-In-Class Award plaque
• Best-In-Class Award digital reprints
• Best-In-Class Award custom note cards
• Best-In-Class Award promotional postcards
• Best-In-Class executive framed award
• Best-In-Class Award tower
• Employee appreciation coffee thermos
• Employee appreciation framed award
• Employee appreciation medallion

Can’t a profile just pay to be a BICA?
No.  In order to be considered for a BICA, a profile must meet certain minimum qualifying requirements, which include review of the positive comments the profile receives and the eComplimeter score.  Any profile, free or ePro, which meets the minimum qualifying requirements can be considered for the BICA.  Purchasing an ePro membership or advertising on the site DOES NOT qualify a profile for a BICA.