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MISA Categories

MDBC INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

MISA 2024 Award Categories

Every year, MDBC does its best to ensure that the new award categories are timely and of particular relevance to furthering the understanding of Innovation & Sustainability.  For this edition we bring you the following categories:

Please note: Examples included in the following competition categories are not exhaustive. Different organizations have different approaches and will be considered by our expert panel of judges.

  • Participants may enter more than one competition category BUT must enter a separate entry per category.
  • In the submission forms, due consideration should be given to your business elements related to innovation, sustainability, governance, ESGs, RBC, and SDGs.
  • Information related to Guidelines, Rules & Regulations can be found here.
  • The Assessment Criteria can be found here.

Further information, definitions, etc. per category can be found below.  Should you need any clarification you can contact us at or call +603 – 2387 0043.

Best Sustainable Built Environment ESG Category: Environmental

Best Sustainable Built Environment
ESG Category: Environmental

Our understanding of sustainability is improving and organizations are daring to look further than cutting their emissions or recycling plastic waste.  Various approaches have been adopted and are being explored in the advancement of sustainability; one of these approaches is a sustainably built environment – encompassing innovative building designs, sustainable resource management, and eco – friendly infrastructure that minimizes environmental impact and has a positive social impact.  A sustainable built environment protects our natural environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting circular economy principles, and tackling the climate crisis – World Green Building Council

Who Should Apply?

In the “Best Sustainable Built Environment” category, competitors can demonstrate their commitment to innovative and sustainable building design, resource management, and infrastructure.  Competitors should highlight the creative strategies they have implemented to enhance their own office or the surrounding environment in an environmentally conscious way.  They may showcase how these efforts have positively impacted the local ecosystem, such as improving the physical and mental well – being of employees and boosting overall productivity.

Examples:

  • Buildings with high energy efficiency

  • Sustainable construction practices

  • Smart technology in the office

  • Employee engagement programs

  • Collaborative workspaces

  • Green commuting program (carpooling / bike sharing)

  • Use of Renewable Energy in the Built Environment and / or in the supply chain

  • Electric vehicle charging stations at the office / Green transportation

Best Workforce Sustainability Engagement Program ESG Category: Social

Best Workforce Sustainability Engagement Program
ESG Category: Social

Sustainability initiatives are oftentimes more effectively adopted with a top down approach. However, the success of any organization’s sustainability efforts are dependent on their employees commitment and requires widespread support and participation throughout all layers of the organization. Informing, rewarding, and providing training programs helps incentivize employees to take up these sustainability initiatives.

Who Should Apply?
In the “Best Workforce Sustainability Engagement Program” category, nominees share the innovative programs that motivate and empower employees to actively participate in achieving the organization’s sustainability goals. It showcases the programs and initiatives that have helped the organization make an impact, and proved effective in incentivizing and mobilizing their workforce.

Examples:

  • Training programs on sustainable practices

  • Recognition and reward programs for employee contributions to sustainability

  • Initiatives led by employees to reduce waste or conserve resources

  • Green week to create extra sustainable awareness

Best Sustainability Communication ESG Category: Governance

Best Sustainability Communication
ESG Category: Governance

A key aspect of good governance is communication, especially when addressing sustainability. It ensures transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness, which are vital for building trust and engaging with stakeholders. By communicating your organization’s sustainability objectives, you foster informed decision – making and empower stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to sustainability goals. Internally, communication helps align the organization’s mission and vision on sustainability, while enhancing collaboration and driving engagement. Externally, it strengthens your reputation, differentiates your organization, and builds long – term loyalty by showcasing your commitment to responsible practices.

Who Should Apply?
In this category, we invite organizations that prioritize effective communication on their sustainability objectives and ensure that their goals are clearly communicated, understood, and supported by all stakeholders. These organizations demonstrate transparency, accountability, and active engagement, through clear, consistent, and inclusive communication and are therefore driving better governance outcomes.  This category celebrates organizations that make communication a core part of their governance strategy, fostering a culture of openness, collaboration, and accountability in sustainability efforts.

Examples:

  • Reporting on sustainability performance with transparency and accountability
  • Organizing multi – stakeholder dialogues and forums to collaboratively address sustainability challenges and solutions
  • Actively involving stakeholders in the planning and execution of sustainability initiatives
  • Keeping stakeholders continuously informed through diverse communication channels, ensuring inclusivity and clarity
  • Utilizing real – time sustainability dashboards to track and share progress on sustainability goals
  • Launching sustainability – focused social media campaigns to engage a broader audience and raise awareness
  • Sharing independent assessments to promote accountability and highlight sustainable performance
  • Publishing detailed case studies to illustrate the tangible impacts of sustainability projects

Companies who would like to participate must fill in the nomination form and submit a video (min duration = one minute) of their program / innovation. 

* Please be advised that the organizers reserve the right to promote your organization’s submission by showing the video (for example: during the day program, on a dedicated MISA webpage, and / or during the Awards Ceremony & Dinner).  In order to keep the barrier to entry low, the video may be recorded using a cell phone but must be clear enough to view on a larger screen. 

 

MDBC reserves the right to request that the nominee re – shoot the video for higher viewing quality, better content, or other purposes if we feel that the video does not meet minimum requirements for participation and showcasing.

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS:

    • THE AUDIENCE AWARD:
      Selected shortlisted finalists will be encouraged to participate in the competition for the Audience Award.  Details will be announced soon.
    • CHAPTER RECOGNITION AWARDS:
      MDBC takes great pride in its Chapters  – In Penang (launched in 2010) and Johor (launched in 2017).  In recognition of our chapter members, MDBC is introducing the Penang and Johor Chapter Recognition Awards.  MDBC members from these chapters who participate in any of the MISA award categories are automatically entered into their respective Chapter Award.  Although the categories, and therefore submissions, may be different, each organisation’s submission will be put through the same rigorous judging process to determine who is crowned the winner.
Video Submission Guidelines

All submissions must:

  • Be original. Copyright infringement of any other companies’ / organisation’s video is grounds for immediate disqualification;
  • Be in English,
  • Be in accordance to the category that you would like to participate in. It is not compulsory to have a person in front of the camera; It can be filmed as “first – person point of view”;
  • Be at least one (1) minute long and not exceed two (2) minutes;
  • Be of good quality as your video might be displayed during the event for others to view;
  • Be in MP4 format;
  • Be in landscape format (Aspect ratio resolution of 16:9);
  • Ensure that the audio is clear;
  • Be submitted to MDBC via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com) to .
Tips for Making a Great Video

TIPS FOR MAKING A GREAT VIDEO

  • Plan ahead and don’t be afraid of taking several shoots to get it right;
  • Higher resolution equals higher quality. Record in the 16:9 widescreen format. If you can record your video in high resolution (1280 x 720 pixels), do it. Also, aim for good audio sound quality. Capture the best you can with the equipment you have;
  • Use sufficient lighting. People need to see you and what you are doing / talking about. The lighter the area, the better. Having more than one light source will help alleviate any kind of shadows;
  • Be energetic. Try to have as much of a personality on camera as possible to come across well;
  • Practice by recording sample videos then share with others for feedback. If you’re still unsure, try recording the same video three times. Watch each take and then select the one you like the most;
  • Stay on topic and try not to ramble. Only say what’s absolutely necessary to get your point across on camera;
  • You don’t need great video editing skills to make great videos. You may have to shoot take after take to get it right, but when you’re finished, you won’t have anything to edit!