B2SMB Institute Announces Winners of 2019 Best2SMB Awards; Inducts 3 Brands into B2SMB Hall of Fame

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B2SMB Institute

Oct 02, 2019, 14:00 ET


CHICAGO (PRWEB) October 02, 2019 -- The B2SMB Institute, the first professional organization focused on advancing excellence in the business-to-small-business (B2SMB) ecosystem, today announced the winners of the 2019 Best2SMB Awards. The awards, which showcase the best in B2SMB Products & Services, Innovation and Brands, were presented during a special awards luncheon today at the B2SMB Institute’s annual Global Conference in Chicago.

“The mission of the Best2SMB Awards is to identify and recognize companies that are solving genuine needs of small businesses, and doing it successfully, at scale,” said Dave Walker, CEO and Cofounder, B2SMB Institute. “We congratulate this inaugural class of Best2SMB awardees, who serve as instructive examples of what it means to be Best2SMB.”

A highly competitive field of nearly 30 submissions was narrowed to a dozen standout finalists, from which winners in each of three categories were determined. The B2SMB Institute is pleased to announce the following category winners of the 2019 Best2SMB Awards:

  • Zoho - Best2SMB Award for Product or Service Offering. Zoho is the operating system for business—a single online platform capable of running an entire business. With 45+ apps in nearly every major business category, including sales, marketing, customer support, accounting and back office operations, and an array of productivity and collaboration tools, Zoho is one of the world's most prolific software companies.
  • Alignable - Best2SMB Award for Innovation. With more than 4 million members, and millions of connections across more than 30,000 local communities, Alignable is the online network where small business owners across North America drive leads and prospects, generate referrals, land new business, build trusted relationships, and share great advice. Members use Alignable to get the industry answers they need, connect within their local business community or across the country, and increase buzz for their business.
  • Square - B2SMB Brand of the Year. Square, Inc. revolutionized payments in 2009 with Square Reader, making it possible for anyone to accept card payments using a smartphone or tablet. Today, the company builds tools to empower businesses and individuals to participate in the economy. Sellers use Square to reach buyers online and in-person, manage their business, and access financing. Restaurants use Caviar to offer diners delivery, group ordering, catering, and pickup. And individuals use Cash App to spend, send, and store money.

Three Brands Inducted into the B2SMB Hall of Fame

Also honored today, were three world-class B2SMB brands that were inducted into the B2SMB Hall of Fame. The B2SMB Institute is delighted to announce the following Hall of Fame inductees were selected for the long-term and significant impact each has made on the success of millions of small businesses around the world:

  • American Express, for its Small Business Saturday initiative, which has inspired us all to celebrate and discover small business
  • Dell, for empowering small businesses to use technology to grow their business
  • Intuit, for creating QuickBooks, its simple accounting software that enables SMBs to prosper

Independently Judged by B2SMB Institute’s SMB Influencers’ Circle

The 2019 Best2SMB Awards were judged by the B2SMB Institute’s SMB Influencers’ Circle, an independent council of journalists, bloggers, thought leaders and authors, who are recognized for their knowledge and understanding of SMB challenges and priorities:

  • Anita Campbell, CEO, Small Business Trends
  • Melinda Emerson, Consultant and Author, SmallBizLady
  • John Lawson, CEO, ColderICE Media
  • Rieva Lesonsky, CEO & President, GrowBiz Media and SmallBizDaily.com
  • Laurie McCabe, Consultant and Partner, SMB Group
  • Barry Moltz, Turnaround Consultant and Author, Getting Small Business Unstuck
  • Brian Moran, CEO, Small Business Edge
  • Ramon Ray, Founder and Publisher, Smart Hustle Magazine
  • Pamela Slim, Founder, K'É- Main Street Learning Lab
  • Steve Strauss, Senior Small Business Columnist, USA Today
  • Ivana Taylor, Publisher, DIY Marketers

For the full list of 2019 Best2SMB Awards finalists and winners, visit https://b2smbi.com/best2smb-awards/.

About the B2SMB Institute

The B2SMB Institute is the first professional organization focused on advancing excellence in the business-to-small-business ecosystem. B2SMB leaders, practitioners, brands and enterprises rely on the Institute for critical market intelligence resources, peer-to-peer networking, best-practice guidance and specialized skills development. The B2SMB Institute champions small-business-centric thinking and practice, with a focus on how to reach, engage, win, keep and grow SMB customers. The member-driven organization serves as a dynamic, daily destination to find, meet and network with B2SMB decision-makers who share common needs, challenges and goals. Visit https://b2smbi.com/ for details on resources, benefits and membership opportunities.

Eileen Pacheco, B2SMB Institute, https://b2smbi.com/, 508-254-1440, [email protected]