By Bruce Camber   (written in 2001 and revised from 2002 to 2003)

1. Make the selection uniquely your own.

The selection criteria that has been used since 1994 can actually be modified by an association in ways that meet your local requirements.  The selection criteria  should help to develop consensus among the leadership of the association to provide an outline of what a good business is and who should be listed.

2.  Background

Since 1994, we have turned to the national trade association of every small business that has been profiled to ask, "Is this a person who represents your industry well? Is he/she respected within the industry?"  The national trade associations have always had an important say in the final selection of a business to be profiled on the show.

If there is a question or doubt raised by the association, that business was passed over. Who better knows the heart and soul of these small businesses? Often businesses come up on our list because they have received national awards or have been recognized by a national publication.

3. Member Benefit:  Being on the list good small businesses

The general listing could be perceived as a member benefit whereby just by being listed (and linked to that business' homepage), the business is recast within a national-global ranking and is in the queue to be considered for an episode of the show.

4. Association Benefits

Selection.  In the local selection process, a business can self-nominate. They are asked to specify a trade association. Their trade association becomes another key factor in the weighting of their nomination and another reason their participation in their national trade association is important .  It can effect their local ranking to be the next business to be profiled and it provides another place to be ranked and considered.

Such a selection process rewards the good and ignores the bad, it reinforces the fabric of American idealism.

Continuing education.  These stories as case studies can be used by the Association. A online class could be created around ten such businesses.

As far as we know, this is an unprecedented proposal as a modus operandi for any selection process for a media production.

5.  Comments & Questions

You are invited to ask questions and receive direct answers.  Your feedback is very important. 

Over the years, the feedback of our viewers has been most encouraging.