India's Best Managed Companies programme aims to inspire, celebrate and build a community of private businesses that are creating a better future. A leading business awards program, recognising excellence in private Indian-owned companies, it celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, determination and innovation of the private business community.

The following four commitments illustrate the programme’s core expectations of winning companies:

Integrity

1. As a Best Managed company, we will act lawfully, honestly, ethically and with integrity towards our customers, employees, vendors and stakeholders. Best Managed companies are truthful and honest about the business information provided to the Best Managed program:
2. Best Managed companies must abide by Indian law
3. Best Managed candidates will not exert undue influence upon programme coaches, sponsors, or judges
4. Best Managed companies must update any change in business affecting their designation (ownership, financial, legal) when re-qualifying year over year
5. Treat interactions with programme sponsors, partners and their staff with the same honesty and integrity that you would apply within your own organisation.
   

Foster diversity, equity and inclusion

1. All Best Managed companies have a role to play in helping India on the path to a more inclusive environment. As a member of this community, we foster a culture and working environment where people treat each other with respect, courtesy and fairness, promoting equal opportunity for all.
2. Actively build an anti-racist capability to start making intentional changes within your organisation
3. Embed gender and diversity-smart approaches into recruitment & development, including performance management, promotion, succession and pay processes
4. Create and support cultural awareness programs and learnings for all employees
5. Implement employee assistance programs related to diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility so employees can feel comfortable and bring their whole selves to work
6. Provide DE&I training for all members of the organisation
7. Provide flexible and accessible work arrangements and remote work opportunities where applicable

Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars
As a Best Managed company, we commit to upholding quality among the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities and Innovation, Culture and Commitment, Governance and Financials), and the programme brand standards and identity.

1. Upholding brand standards
   The Best Managed designation represents 29 years of strong global best managed companies that are the economic engines of their countries. The brand is a result of the outstanding companies in the programme and is recognised all around the world. As a Best Managed company, we agree to uphold this brand legacy and follow brand and logo guidelines, for the Indian community of Best Managed companies.
2. Uphold programme brand standards consistent with the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities & Innovation, Culture & Commitment, Governance & Financials).
3. Proper use of current logo by awarded entity (see ‘Logo use with affiliated companies’).
4. Proper use of designation naming convention – “India’s Best Managed Companies”.
5. Logo use permitted for duration of programme year. Must be removed immediately should the company chose not to re-apply or become ineligible.

Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed programme designation through the four pillars

1. Continuously evolve and improve upon your strategy

• Drive a culture of innovation and productivity
• Foster a purpose-led culture

          2. Put your customers and employees first

• Drive year over year revenue growth through strong strategy, governance and operational efficiency

Best Managed community role model

We commit to participate in the Best Managed community through programme activities & events, while treating all members with dignity and respect. We also commit to be a respectable citizen within society and doing our part to build a positive future for India’s economy.

1. Participate in Best Managed programming and events
   Act as a mentor to new members of the Best Managed community
   Engage in social media conversation with Best Managed community (#BestManaged)
2. Act as a Best Managed brand ambassador, abiding by the terms under ‘Upholding brand standards’
3. Contribute to Best Managed objective of ‘making all businesses better’ by participating in research (i.e., surveys, case studies), panels and speaking opportunities

These terms and conditions apply to the Best Managed Companies programme (“Programme”) provided and facilitated in India by Deloitte.

1. Your Information

• You acknowledge and agree that all information provided in the Programme Entry Form, or given subsequently as part of the due diligence, Applicant Lab and judging process (collectively ‘Entry Information’) is correct and up to date.
• By submitting the Entry Information, you confirm that you have the authority and appropriate permission and consent from your Company and those individuals referred to in the Entry Information to provide this information to Deloitte.
• Deloitte acknowledges that all Entry Information is provided for the purposes of determining your eligibility for receiving the Best Managed Companies certification. The Entry Information will not be disclosed by Deloitte except on a confidential basis to the Programme judging panel. Your information may also be shared with third parties that provide administrative, technical or support services to Deloitte for the purposes of the Program. We will ensure that your information is protected by those third parties to the same standards that we use to protect our own information here at Deloitte.
• You agree that Entry Information gathered during the entry process can be retained and used for benchmarking and to develop insights and trends into what makes a business a Best Managed company in the country of application.
• As part of entering the Programme, you give us permission to contact you regarding the Programme and its associated activities. This may occur through electronic messaging or other forms of communication. We may, on occasion, update you with news, information and other relevant initiatives that Deloitte believes will interest you. You may unsubscribe from these communications by selecting the unsubscribe link contained within the communications or by contacting the Programme team.
• If any Personal Information is contained within the Programme Entry Form, you confirm that you have collected that Personal Information in accordance with the data protection or privacy laws applicable in the country where the individual concerned is located and such individual has authorised the disclosure to and use of their Personal Information by and they have been informed of their right to access and request correction of their Personal Information. Our Privacy Policy will apply to any Personal Information provided to us which can be accessed here.

 2. Best Managed Lab

• By submitting the Entry Information, you confirm that members of your leadership team will be available to attend the Applicant Lab on a mutually agreeable date and location.
• You acknowledge that the Applicant Lab is designed to facilitate the Programme certification process and should not in any way be considered Deloitte advice or recommendation or otherwise.
• You acknowledge that Deloitte, its member firms, related entities, partners, employees or agents shall not be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly in connection with you relying on insights, discussions or communications or otherwise, shared during and in connection to the Applicant Lab, or through the judging and award of the Programme Certification.
  
  

3. Judging and post-application period

Deloitte reserves the right to:

• conduct due diligence in relation to your Entry Information at any time. In our sole discretion, we reserve the right to disqualify you from entry or receiving or continuing to hold the Programme Certification based on the results of any due diligence conducted.
• amend, vary, extend or discontinue the Program, including how your participation in the Programme is publicised, at any time and for any reason.
• withdraw your Programme Certification both before or after the bestowing of the award if you no longer meet the Programme criteria; have not in our view provided truthful or complete answers to any of the application or requalification documents; your continuing participation in the Programme presents
• perceived or actual conflict of interest; or you otherwise act in a manner that could bring Deloitte and/or the Programme into disrepute.
• The decision of the external Programme Judging Panel will be final and no further correspondence will be entered into.
• You acknowledge that neither the external Programme Judging Panel or Deloitte shall be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from its decisions in relation to your participation in the program.
• Branding and Logo
• Once awarded, you may use the Best Managed Companies logo and associated branding on any promotional materials (including relevant websites) in alignment with the Deloitte brand guidelines. Deloitte reserves the right to request alteration or removal of the logo or other Programme material at any point in time. Use of the Best Managed Companies logo excludes any right to reference or use the Deloitte name, logo or marks on any promotional material.

Acknowledgements

By entering the Program, you acknowledge and agree that you

• accept these terms and conditions; andb. provide Deloitte with a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty free and transferable licence to use and reproduce the name of the entrant (including any associated trademark or business name) and any non-financial information, photographs, videos, voice recordings, media coverage or other promotional material relating to the entrant and its directors, shareholders, employees, contractors or consultants participation in the Programme for marketing purposes. You waive any claims to royalty, right or remuneration for such use and acknowledge you have the consent of any director, employee, contractor or consultant for this waiver.

How does the programme benefit the applicants and winners?

How can my company apply for the programme?

Applications are currently by invite only.

How much does it cost to apply to the Best Managed Companies program?
Nothing – your entry is completely free of cost.

How does the coaching process work?
The coaching is part of the Phase II application process. Our coaches will work with programme entrants through a Best Managed Lab, working carefully to fully understand your business and provide you with useful insight.

How much time will be required from my company’s leadership team?
The Best Managed Lab will run for up to three hours – the lab works best when the entire leadership team is there or at least a cross section who can speak to the different business functions. A representative from the company will also need to spend 1.5 – 2 hours completing the required application.