The Premier Cross-Industry Gathering of Business Transformation, Operational Excellence & AI Industry Leaders & Senior-Executives.
The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards were established to globally showcase the most outstanding achievements in Business Transformation, AI, Agentic AI, and Operational Excellence.
The focus of this elite awards program is to demonstrate to the global business community the real, measurable results that organizations achieve through the successful implementation of AI-driven innovation, transformation, and operational excellence initiatives.
The Awards will be held in conjunction with the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit (BTOES).
The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards are open to all organizations — both private and public sector — across the globe that have implemented AI, Agentic AI, or Operational Excellence programs to deliver exceptional business results.
Access 2019 Award Winning Entries
Access the award-winning entries from the 2019 awards program. These are the actual winning entries and will give you a good feel for what constitutes a winning entry.
BTOES AWARDS 2026
The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards 2026 will be held in conjunction with the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit.
The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit proudly hosts the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate and showcase the world’s most outstanding achievements in Business Transformation, AI, Agentic AI, and Operational Excellence.
Our focus is on recognizing organizations that demonstrate tangible, measurable results through successful implementation in these key areas. We welcome entries from all organizations, both private and public sector, worldwide, that have undertaken impactful programs in Business Transformation, AI, Agentic AI, and Operational Excellence.
Eligibility for the awards is broad, with no restrictions based on project size or scope. Each submission will be evaluated based on the effectiveness of the implementation and its alignment with the organization’s strategic goals.
Participants are encouraged to submit entries across multiple categories if relevant, and there is no limit to the number of submissions per category.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to gain global recognition for the exceptional work you and your team are doing to drive transformation, innovation, and operational excellence.
Please take the time to review the entry guidelines for this elite awards program and discover how you can showcase your projects on this global stage.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER & THEN APPLY ONLINE NOW
Registration involves a fee for each category you plan to enter. After registering, you can submit your Main Entry Document for each entry. You have the flexibility to edit and refine your submissions until the final deadline of 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on July 10, 2026.
Participants can submit entries across multiple categories if relevant, and there is no limit to the number of submissions per category.
July 10, 2026 – Awards Entries Close
August 7, 2026 – Awards Shortlist Announced
October 7, 2026 – Awards Ceremony & Winners Announced
Early Bird Price: $295 for award registration before February 28, 2026. Registration represents payment for the categories you intend to enter.
However, you can submit, edit, adjust, and refine your submissions right up to the deadline of July 10, 2026.
Please note, the full price will show on the registration site, when you select the category by clicking on the orange + button, the early bird discount will appear after the Subtotal.
Standard Price: $395 for registrations submitted after February 28, 2025.
You can submit, edit, adjust, and refine your submissions right up to the deadline of July 10, 2026.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER & THEN APPLY ONLINE NOW
We eagerly anticipate your participation in the BTOES Awards 2026.
For any additional support or inquiries, please contact us at awards@proqis.com.
Best Achievement in Business Transformation
Recognizing enterprise-wide transformation programs that deliver measurable strategic, cultural, and financial impact.
Best Achievement in Operational Excellence to Deliver Value Creation & Innovation
Celebrating organizations that have achieved breakthrough innovation or significant new value through world-class operational excellence.
Best Achievement in Enterprise AI Deployment
Honoring organizations that have successfully integrated AI to enhance performance, decision-making, and overall business outcomes.
Best Achievement in Customer Experience Transformation
Recognizing excellence in designing and executing transformation programs that significantly elevate customer experience and loyalty.
Best Operational Excellence Program
Awarded to organizations demonstrating sustained operational excellence driving agility, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Best Achievement in Cultural Transformation & Sustainability
Showcasing organizations that have built high-performing, purpose-driven cultures aligned with sustainability and long-term success.
Best Achievement in Intelligent Automation (AI, RPA, Low-Code, Hyperautomation, ML, Cognitive)
Celebrating the intelligent use of automation and AI to transform operations, improve productivity, and deliver measurable results.
Best Achievement in Workforce & Talent Transformation
Recognizing organizations that have redefined leadership, culture, and capability-building to future-proof their workforce.
Best Achievement in Supply Chain Excellence (Sustainability, Resilience & Risk Management)
Honoring organizations that have achieved outstanding results in building agile, sustainable, and risk-resilient supply chains.
Best Achievement in Process Intelligence (BPM, Process Mining & Continuous Improvement)
Celebrating organizations using process intelligence and continuous improvement to drive data-driven operational excellence.
Best Achievement in IT & Cloud Modernization for Operational Excellence
Recognizing transformational programs leveraging IT modernization and cloud innovation to enable speed, scalability, and performance.
Best Achievement in Agentic AI Innovation
Honoring pioneering use of Agentic AI systems to enhance decision-making, creativity, and enterprise transformation.
11 Project Awards:
The Platinum Award
The Platinum Award cannot be entered for. The winner will be selected by the judges from best entry across the project categories.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The following Award cannot be entered for. The winner will be selected by our panel of judges.
Guidelines for the Main Entry Document
Your submission should start with a 250-word synopsis and be confined to four pages of A4. This document is your central pitch, encapsulating all key aspects of your project.
250-Word Synopsis: This is an overview for the judges, providing a snapshot of your entry and guiding them through the significant outcomes.
Document Length and Focus: Limit your document to four pages to maintain relevance and clarity. Judges prefer concise, fact-based entries over lengthy narratives.
Attention to Detail: Adhere closely to the guidelines relevant to your category to avoid missing crucial points. Even small details can impact your entry's scoring.
Effective Writing: Seek assistance from skilled writers, such as your Communications Department, for a polished and engaging entry. Well-written submissions often make a stronger impact.
Consider Your Audience: Treat your document like a 10-minute pitch. Captivate the judges initially, and they will be more inclined to consider your entry favorably.
Conciseness is Key: Avoid filling space with irrelevant content. An entry that is direct and to the point is often more successful.
Results-Focused: Highlight key results such as cost reductions, sales growth, or productivity improvements. Use clear charts and factual data for a compelling presentation.
External Review: Have your entry reviewed by someone outside your team to ensure clarity and objectivity. This helps in making your document accessible to external judges.
Clear Structure: Organize your document logically with clear and informative visuals. A well-structured, easy-to-read entry will stand out in a field of numerous applications.
Remember, your entry is not just a formality; it's an opportunity to showcase your project's impact and innovation. Make every word count!
While some of these suggestions may seem straightforward, their importance cannot be overstated:
Thoroughly Review Guidelines: Ensure your entry adheres closely to the guidelines, covering all necessary information to avoid losing points.
Understand Category Requirements: Each category has specific requirements. Familiarize yourself with them to ensure your entry aligns perfectly.
Choose Your Best Work: Select achievements that best represent your strengths and success.
Adhere to Material Limits: Do not exceed the set page limits (e.g., 4 pages for the Main Entry Document) to avoid disqualification.
Conciseness and Relevance: Keep your entry focused and pertinent. Resist the urge to fill space with unnecessary content. Remember, brevity can be more impactful.
Professional Writing Assistance: Engage with your Communications Department for a well-crafted entry. Judges appreciate entries that are clear, engaging, and professionally written.
Objective Feedback: Get an unbiased review of your entry from colleagues outside your team to ensure it resonates with an external audience.
Treat It as a Pitch: Consider your entry as a 10-minute pitch to the judges. Captivating them quickly can lead to more thorough consideration and higher scores.
Highlight Results: Emphasize key achievements and outcomes such as cost reductions, sales growth, or productivity improvements. Facts and data speak louder than descriptions.
Proofreading: Have someone outside your immediate team review your entry for clarity and objectivity.
Correct Category Selection: Make sure your entry is submitted in the most appropriate category for a better chance of success.
Cross-Reference Supporting Materials: Link any charts, graphs, or reports from your supporting materials directly to your main entry.
Avoid Basic Errors: Pay attention to spelling and grammar to maintain professionalism.
Follow the Rules: Adhering to the rules is crucial. Attempts to circumvent them can lead to disqualification and diminish your credibility.
By incorporating these tips, your entry can stand out for its clarity, coherence, and focus on key achievements.
The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards reserve the right to publish details from award winners and shortlisted entries. Supporting materials may be supplied in confidence and the responsibility for advising The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards of any confidentiality restraints imposed shall lie with the company making an entry. The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards shall not be held liable for any failure by the company submitting an entry to supply such confidentiality details.
Shortlisted organizations are required to attend the Awards Ceremony. Attendance is compulsory, so please only submit your application if you are able to attend the awards.
All Project category winners are required to participate in the Award Winners Panels with Q&A that will take place on the morning after the awards ceremony. You will not be expected to divulge any confidential data, facts or figures.
In the event your organization becomes a finalist or a winner of a Digital Transformation & Operational Excellence Award, you consent to your organization's name being used in marketing for the awards program, either by BTOES directly, or by a third party member of the media covering the awards program and/or awards ceremony.
All finalists are required to produce a Poster Board presentation in an infographic format, 40" * 40" telling the story of their project/program. These will be displayed to all attendees at BTOES.
By submitting and paying for your application you confirm you have reviewed the Terms & Conditions for entries, and agree to be bound by them. Furthermore, you confirm that all information contained within each entry is 100% accurate.
The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards are judged by an independent panel of esteemed experts representing the highest standards of excellence in business transformation, AI, and operational performance.
The panel is led by a Chairman of the Judges, a highly respected authority in Operational Excellence, ensuring the integrity, impartiality, and rigor of the judging process.
To serve as a member of the judging panel, individuals must meet the following criteria:
Hold a leadership-level position or equivalent within their organization.
Represent an organization recognized as a leader in Operational Excellence or Business Transformation within its sector, as assessed by our Advisory Board and supported by research findings.
Agree to and comply with a strict code of confidentiality, maintaining the integrity and discretion of all judging proceedings.
If you are interested in being considered for the judging panel, please click here to apply.
Judging is conducted by an independent panel of appointed judges, each of whom is bound by a confidentiality agreement prohibiting them from discussing or disclosing any information from entries outside the judging process.
We operate under a strict non-conflict judging policy to ensure impartiality and fairness:
A judge will not evaluate entries from any organization operating within their own industry sector, avoiding any potential bias.
Any judge who may have a conflict of interest with a specific entry will be recused from evaluating that submission.
Sponsoring organizations have no involvement in, or access to, the judging process during shortlisting or winner selection and will only be aware of information in the public domain.
This transparent, ethical framework guarantees that all awards are determined solely on the merit, innovation, and measurable impact of each submission.
Judging will be undertaken by an independent panel of judges appointed by The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards who will be bound by a confidentiality agreement that bans them from externally discussing information from entries.
We operate a strict non-conflict judging code to avoid industry sector conflict. A judge working in the financial services sector may not judge categories, which have entries from organizations in the financial services sector.
Hence, any judge who has a potential conflict of interest with an entry will not be allowed to judge that entry.
Sponsoring organizations will not be allowed to get involved with or have access to the judging process at shortlisting or in winner’s selections. They will only be aware of information in the public domain.
8-10 judges will score in the shortlisting stage in order to identify which entries are going to the final stage.
Judges may move entries between categories if deemed to be unsuitable for the category entered, but appropriate for another. Awards will be made solely at the discretion of the judges, and their decision is final.
Once we have shortlisted then another 8-10 judges will score those finalists so we are gathering the views of 16-20 judges to get the scores for the finalists and identify the winners.
Previous winner of the prestigious CEO of the Year Award, Mark Pigott (CEO, PACCAR, 1997-2013) has been highlighted as one of the nation's leading CEOs by Forbes magazine, in their annual listing of the top ten CEOs in the country.
Under Mark Pigott's leadership as Chairman and CEO, Paccar delivered a 1,700 percent total return to shareholders. Pigott's focus on quality and innovation resulted in Paccar receiving many J.D. Power and Associates Awards for highest customer satisfaction as well as International Truck of the Year Awards.
PACCAR has earned the distinction of being one of the nation's leading companies by Forbes, Barron's, BusinessWeek, Industryweek, and InformationWeek magazine.
The Platinum Award is the most prestigious distinction presented at the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards. It is not open for direct entry; rather, it is reserved for the single most exceptional project among all category winners, as determined by our panel of judges.
Judges’ Choice:
The Platinum Award is selected exclusively by the judges from among the most outstanding entries across all categories.
Criteria for Selection:
The award is presented to the project that, in the judges’ opinion, represents the pinnacle of business transformation, innovation, and operational excellence.
Nomination Process:
After individual category winners are chosen, the judges each nominate one or two projects they believe exemplify the highest overall achievement.
Final Decision:
These top nominations are reviewed and debated in detail. The judging panel then votes to determine the ultimate recipient of the Platinum Award.
The Platinum Award is the grand finale of the ceremony — the most anticipated moment of the evening. As every category winner remains in contention until the final announcement, the excitement builds to a crescendo before the ultimate accolade is revealed and celebrated.
After the judges have completed the second stage of judging (the selection of winners for each category) they are asked to nominate one or two entries that are, in their opinion, the best in the program.
If the nominated entries have won their category, then they are included in the debate to consider which organization should win the Platinum Award.
The judges then discuss the merits of each of the nominated entries. At the close of the discuss, each judge nominates their choice for the Platinum Award and the votes are counted to select the winner.
The Platinum Award is the last award to be given out at the ceremony. All the category winners realize that they have a chance to get it and there is a hush of silence as all wait to hear which organization is going to collect the ultimate award of the whole program.
The previous winner was New York Presbyterian Hospital and the case study for this is available on request.
Has your organization delivered exceptional results through Operational Excellence, AI Transformation, or Business Transformation?
Have your teams executed breakthrough initiatives that created measurable, lasting business impact?
Do you want your success to be recognized globally among the most progressive organizations in the world?
If you and your team have achieved something extraordinary, now is the time to share it with the world. Apply today and gain the recognition you truly deserve.
CLICK HERE – HOW TO ENTER THE AWARDS
Winning or even being shortlisted for a Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Award provides powerful recognition and long-term advantages for both your organization and your career.
Showcase your success to the international business community and your executive leadership. Demonstrate the tangible results achieved through the effective deployment of Operational Excellence and AI-driven transformation.
Winning positions your company as a leader in innovation, performance, and culture—an organization that sets the benchmark for excellence in execution.
Award winners and finalists receive global exposure throughout the year via BTOES Insights, reaching an audience of over 350,000 senior executives and 1.8 million subscribers worldwide.
Top talent gravitates toward the most admired and forward-thinking organizations. Being recognized as an award-winning company significantly enhances your appeal to high-performing professionals.
Being a finalist or winner showcases your leadership, innovation, and results-driven mindset—helping you gain visibility and recognition from your organization’s senior leadership and positioning you for future promotions.
Award recognition provides proof of success that resonates with executives, shareholders, and boards. Winning entries often see greater internal investment and support for scaling their initiatives.
Demonstrating excellence in transformation, efficiency, and innovation sends a strong signal to potential partners and clients. Recognition as a category winner enhances your credibility and opens doors to new partnerships and contracts.
Take this opportunity to share your organization’s success story on a global stage and join the ranks of world-class leaders shaping the future of business transformation.
Industry Recognition
Demonstrate to the global business community - and your CEOs - the real results you and your team achieved through the successful implementation of Operational Excellence projects & programs.
Positioning your organization as best in class AND committed to outstanding Operational Excellence achievement.
Being shortlisted or an award winner will gain your global recognition with extended exposure thought out the entire year.
Our special award winners logo can be placed on your website and marketing materials to inform your stakeholders of your commitment to Operational Excellence.
Attract the best industry talent.
The best industry talent is attracted to the best-in-class organizations. Award winners experience an influx of applications from other progressive executives.
Being in line for that coveted promotion you were seeking
Being shortlisted or an award winner will help you gain that extra recognition and visibility with your leadership team.
Funding
By demonstrating the outstanding business results achieved through your deployment of Operational Excellence, you can expect to achieve greater funding from your leaders, shareholders and board.
New Business
Proof of outstanding business processes and driving continuous improvement to every corner of your business, and achieving Operational Excellence, will open doors to new business and new contracts.
Our 350,000 global subscriber base of executives around the world will hear about your achievements.
"It was an honor for Avis Budget Group to win Best Organizational Achievement in Lean Enterprise Improvement in the first year of our Lean Six Sigma deployment. The award process was thorough and it gave Avis Budget Group a tremendous platform to demonstrate the success our young Performance Excellence deployment has achieved. The $40 million of verifiable hard-dollar savings ABG’s Performance Excellence team was able to achieve in its first year was a key deliverable of the company’s annual strategic plan."
Vice President Performance Excellence Deployment Leader, Avis Budget Group
"It has been an honor to accept the award for Best Achievement of Organizational Business Improvement in Healthcare this year. The award has allowed SSFHS to increase the credibility of its Lean Six Sigma Program within its own system and in the communities it serves. The award shows our customers and competitors that we are committed to excel and progressing steadily as we improve the quality of care for our patients."
Regional CEO, Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc. – Northern Indiana Region
"We are extremely excited to have received this recognition for Best Emerging Business Improvement. I believe this terrific award recognizes that customers can depend on our ability to live our mission statement every day with on time delivery, lowest industry turn times, customer service of exceptional value, service and products of the highest quality. Also, I'd like to compliment the organizers for their excellent recognition program."
President and Chief Executive Officer of PAS Technologies
"I was very pleased to accept the award of Best Project Achievement in Business Enabling Processes on Delphi's behalf. It was especially gratifying to receive external validation from a diverse and global audience that included contingents from some of our key customers and competitors."
Global Director of Customer Satisfaction, Delphi Gas Engine Management Systems
"It was an exceptional moment when we first learned BMO Financial Group was the recipient of three Global Six Sigma and Business Improvement Awards. Theses awards are truly attributable to all the hard work and dedication of our employees across North America. Lean Six Sigma has enabled BMO Product Operations to significantly improve our customer service and organizational cost management in today's challenging economic environment. We are determined to intensify our commitment to Lean Six Sigma business improvements as we continue to deliver great customer experiences."
P. Eng, MBA, Deployment Leader and Master Black Belt, BMO Financial Group
"Capital One has received multiple awards through our participation in the Global Six Sigma Award Program, including most recently the 2008 Platinum Award for Process Excellence Project and the Best Project Achievement in Innovation or Product Development. This prestigious external recognition is a great confirmation of the exceptional business results delivered by our associates."
Sr. Vice President, Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Capital One Bank
PACCAR, BMO, Sonoco, AVIS, Providence Health and Services, Miami Children’s Hospital, Distributed Learning Directorate, US Army, PHH Arval, Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, Providence Health and Services, Volt Workforce Solutions, Temple-Inland, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, WNS Global Services, Wipro, ADC Telecommunications, Capital One Bank, Deutsche Bank, Fairfield Medical Center, Firstsource Solutions, Humana, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, IBM Corporation, Los Angeles County & USC Medical Center, Medco Health Solutions, Merck & Co, Monsanto Company, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Pershing, PHH Arval, Raytheon, Scottish Power Energy Retail, Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services, TD Bank Financial Group, United Airlines, Vanguard, Wyndham Consumer Finance. BMO Financial Group, Capital One Bank, Avis Budget Group, PAS Technologies Tocquigny, Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services, Infosys BPO, Delphi Powertrain Systems, Capital One Bank, United Airlines, Sonoco, myGolfDNA, ALSAC /St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Imperial Bank of Commerce, Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Firstsource Solutions, Lonmin, OCBC Bank, Prestolite Electric, Satyam BPO, Teradyne, Toyota Financial Services, TRW Automotive, United Services Automobile Association . University Health Network, US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, ANZ, Borusan Power Systems, British American Tobacco, Group Service Delivery Canadian.
The winning Awards will be presented at The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards Gala Event will take place in the beautiful Tuscan Ballroom on March 20, 2019 at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando™
Launched in 2006 as The Global Six Sigma Awards, this program quickly rose to prominence in the industry. Initially part of the Global Lean Six Sigma and Business Improvement Summit, its prestige stems not only from its scale but also its rigorous two-step scoring and judging process, commitment to avoiding conflicts of interest, and stringent confidentiality agreements for judges, elements that continue to define the awards today.
Under BTOES's stewardship, the awards have evolved to embrace the broader realms of Business Transformation, Digital Transformation, AI, and Operational Excellence. Moving beyond the focus on Lean Six Sigma and incremental operational improvements, the program now encompasses strategy execution, value creation, enhancing customer experiences, and pioneering business transformation for the future.
