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ROI Institute Awards presented at 2008 Global ROI Conference in Dublin, Ireland

(Birmingham, AL)-During this year’s Global ROI Conference in Dublin, Ireland, the ROI Institute honored several individuals for their outstanding work in measurement and evaluation. Through its awards program, the ROI Institute, Inc. recognizes exemplary practices in application of the ROI Methodology^™. This year’s award winners were:

Best Article— Anat Gazit (Consultant, O.D. Consulting) and Andy Friedman (Partner, O.D. Consulting, Israel); This award recognizes the article that best informs others about the use of the ROI process. One of the most effective ways of educating others and supporting the ROI Methodology is to write an article for publication. “Anat and Andy exemplify the standards one would expect when investing in a consulting practice such as theirs,” said Patti Phillips. “Not only have they mastered the ROI Methodology, but they have positioned themselves as the ultimate authorities on ROI throughout Israel.”
ROI Practitioner of the Year— Gerry Doyle, Impact Measurement Centre; This award recognizes the individual whose advocacy of the ROI Methodology has broadly influenced audiences and organizations, on both an internal and external level. This individual is one who has demonstrated, through professional practice, sustained integrity to the process (often in the face of organizational barriers), and the leadership ability to create, support, and champion opportunities for creating a results-based culture. In giving the award, Patti Phillips said, “Gerry Doyle exemplifies the true professionalism and champion for ROI. He’s responsible for implementing the ROI Methodology in Ireland in a partnership with Skillnets.” Jack Phillips added, “Gerry has conducted impact studies, edited a book of cases studies in Ireland, provided consulting services and facilitated dozens of workshops.”
Most Innovative Approach— Jane Massey (CEO, ABDI, England) and John Dick (CEO, UK Award, Scotland); This award is given to the individual or organization that shows the most creativity in the implementation of ROI Methodology. Innovative activity could occur in data collection, analysis, or reporting or could involved creativity in getting others involved, using the data and building capability.“Jane and Dick represent a tireless effort to make the ROI process a part of the UK Awards system,” said Patti Phillips. “This positions ROI training and ultimately ROI certification as an important part of the skills needed for a training manager in the UK. This will be supported, encouraged and even required in some areas throughout the UK.”
Best Practice Implementation – Skillnets Ltd and the Impact Measurement Skillnet, Ireland; This award recognizes organizations or individuals for quantifiable results achieved through successful, enterprise-wide implementation of the ROI Methodology. Implementation strategies must describe successful practices used across all phases of implementation, including evaluation planning, data collection, data analysis, and communication results. “This ROI Implementation is the best that we’ve seen, and it’s primarily because of support from the Irish government through Skillnets, a very outstanding partner in Gerry Doyle and a combination of support from government, business and academics,” said Jack Phillips.
Best Published Case Study— Holly Burkett, Evaluation Works, California, USA; This award recognizes the case study that best educates and supports professionals who are implementing the ROI Methodology. Case studies are important for teaching lessons learned and best practices around the success (or lack thereof) with a particular project. “Holly continues to add to the knowledge base by publishing articles and case studies. Her case study, “Evaluating a Career Development Initiative” (published in the ROI in Action Casebook, Pfeiffer 2008) describes the ROI of a career development program at a computer company,” said Patti Phillips.
Best ROI Impact Study— Cristián Irarrázaval Jory and Tómas Vergara Sandoval, Instituto ROI, Chile; Thousands of studies are conducted each year. This award recognizes the one that best describes current use and application of the ROI Methodology. “Cristian and the team at Masconsultores continue to expand and perfect the use of the ROI Methodology throughout Chile and South America,” said Patti Phillips.
Best International ROI Implementation— Elling Hamso (President of the European Events ROI Institute, Norway);This new award is designed to recognize those individuals who are crossing borders to help promote the use and implementation of ROI. “Giving this award to Elling Hamson, we have recognized his great work to spread the use of ROI in the meeting and events industry through Europe,” said Jack Phillips. “In Elling’s tireless efforts, he has conducted over 80 workshops in most of the euro zone. He has become a champion through articles, columns, newsletters and all types of public speaking and appearances.”
ROI Research Award— Jennifer Janecek Hartman, Ph.D., USA; According to Patti Phillips, “The ROI Research Award is one of our most prestigious and important awards. It is through research that the process is tested, which provides the basis for its sustainability. Without the contribution of researchers, such as Jen, the integrity of the ROI Methodology would be sorely lacking.” This new award recognizes the work of doctoral students and academic researchers as they test various components of the ROI process. The purpose of the study was to develop an implementation approach that considers the customs and norms of the tribal culture.

Next year’s ROI Global Conference will be in Mexico City. All awards categories are appropriate for self-nomination. For details contact the awards coordinator at info@roiinstitute.net. For more information about the ROI Institute, call 205.678.8101.