Thought Leadership Categories

These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of organizations that have taken active measures to develop themselves and their executives as thought leaders and promote their thought leadership to audiences inside and outside the organization.

Nominations that won in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2027 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information required for entries in these categories include:

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization’s thought leadership achievements since July 1, 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:

a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 1,250 characters). Required
b. Outline the organization’s thought leadership achievements since the beginning of July 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 1,500 characters). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization’s past performance (up to 1,500 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination. (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, or images, for example.

255. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Digital Transformation. Recognizing individuals or organizations whose insights and content have influenced or guided strategic digital change in sales or customer service since July 1, 2024.
256. Thought Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sales or Service. Honoring thought leadership since July 1, 2024 that shaped discourse or best practices around DEI in customer engagement or workforce strategy.
257. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Multi-Channel Strategy. Recognizing the most effective multi-platform campaigns (blogs, webinars, social media, podcasts, etc.) since July 1, 2024 used to position an individual or organization as a trusted authority in sales, service, or business development.
258. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Sales
259. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Complex Sales
260. Best Integration of Thought Leadership into the Sales Process. Describe in this nomination how your organization is using thought leadership to accelerate sales.
261. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Business Development
262. Best Use of Thought Leadership in Customer Service