Submitting your entries for the HR Excellence Awards is simple and completely online. The entry submission deadline is 16 July 2025 (Wed) at 6pm.

To ensure that your entries are submitted successfully and are given the attention they deserve, here are a few items to take note of when preparing your entries.

• Firstly, download and read the Entry Guidelines. This will guide you through the submission process. Follow the instructions and specific category requirements to ensure your entries are submitted successfully.
• Please download and use the Core Submission Template provided to prepare your Entry Submission Document without altering/deleting the words in header, 30% of marks will be deducted otherwise.
• Judges have the authority to mark you down for failure to adhere to the overall 2000-words limit for the entire entry form.
• You may enter in multiple relevant categories, but please ensure each entry submission form is tailored to the specific category to increase your chances of winning. Do not submit duplicate entry submission forms across multiple categories.
• All entries, supporting documents, and required items can be submitted via the “I’m Ready to Enter” link at the bottom of this page.
• Entrants are strongly encouraged to gather all entry materials like photos, videos and charts before starting the entry process.
• Please ensure that all details you enter into the Entry Details are CONSISTENT with the details on the Core Submission Document you upload.
• Upon submission deadline, all entry details, including company names, credits and so on, are FINAL and CANNOT be changed and / or transferred to another party.
• Please include an event photo or image that represents your entry in your submission that can be used on all marketing material, on the screen on the night of the awards, and in the magazine etc.
• For tips on how to write a winning submission, visit our top 5 tips on writing a winning entry.

Once you’re ready to go, all entries can be submitted via our entry submission page

Deadline of entry submission will be closed on 16 July 2025, 6:00pm.

Your entry will be evaluated on the following four key areas, please refer to the below category criteria listed in the Entry Guidelines to understand the key areas that the judges will be scoring your entry on. Your entry submission should contain a maximum of 2,000 words (total) with evidence to support and address each of the criteria points outlined in the “categories and criteria” section:

* Please ensure each area is fully covered in order to achieve your highest possible score.

VISION AND GOAL – 25% 

• Provide an overview of your entire HR programme.
• Define the vision and goals of the HR department and how they are aligned to the organisation’s business objective.
• Provide examples of the processes and systems in place designed to achieve the stated goals to fulfil the vision.
• What are some innovative and/or new ideas proposed? What is the expected ROI?
• How did you get buy-in from top management and line-of-business managers? Elaborate on how senior management was involved in the HR functions.

Eligibility Period: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025

IMPLEMENTATION – 25% 

• Provide details of the programme. What makes you programme different and unique? Elaborate on the creative and innovative aspects of your programme.
• How was your strategy communicated to all stakeholders? How did you maintain continued support from key stakeholders?
• What problems did you encounter during implementation and how did you solve them?
• What elements of the plan were easier or more difficult than you thought at first?

IMPACT – 25%

• What were the primary results and what were the unintended positive consequences of your innovative strategy?
• How did the programme make a difference to employees, and the organisation’s commercial/business objective?
• How did your plan contribute to the organisation’s commercial/business goals?
• What was the feedback from stakeholders (employees, line management, top management) post implementation?
• Evidence of success: How has the idea/strategy strengthened the organisation? Please use metrics, anecdotes and case studies

FUTURE INITIATIVES – 25%

• What other HR objectives do you plan to pursue next?
• Has the successful implementation of your HR strategy affected the way your organisation approaches project implementation in other areas?
• What has the implementation of your HR strategy taught you about what else is achievable?
• What else can be done differently to further improve? How will you intend to build on your efforts in the future?

Your entry will be evaluated on the following four key areas, please refer to the below category criteria listed in the Entry Guidelines to understand the key areas that the judges will be scoring your entry on. Your entry submission should contain a maximum of 2,000 words (total) with evidence to support and address each of the criteria points outlined in the “categories and criteria” section:

* Please ensure each area is fully covered in order to achieve your highest possible score.

VISION AND GOALS – 25%

• What is the background of your nominee? His/her vision for HR in the organisation?
• What did your nominee set out to achieve 12 months ago?
• Detail attributes this individual possesses that benefit the business.
• List your nominee’s innovative approach to people management, taking into account challenges to your industry sector and the business model in which you operate
• How would colleagues describe this individual? What are some personal attributes?
• What are some innovative and/or new changes implemented and/or challenged by the nominee?
• What is the expected business ROI from the changes incorporated?
• Please include some testimonials from peers/senior management/clients.

IMPLEMENTATION – 25%

• What are some initiatives/programmes led by this individual from his/her managerial leadership?
• How did your nominee decide on the strategy he followed?
• What business problem(s) is your nominee trying to address?
• A clear narrative that demonstrates why the strategy was implemented and how it is having an impact on the organisation.
• What challenges did your nominee encounter and how did s/he solve them? Please explain in greater detail a situation in which this individual stepped up.
• How is this nominee’s implementation different or unique?
• How did the individual get the buy-in from the respective stakeholders?

IMPACT – 25%

• What HR metrics did your nominee achieve?
• How did your nominee contribute to your organisation’s commercial/business goals?
• What was the feedback from stakeholders (employees, line management, top management) post implementation?
• Please list the primary and secondary impact.
• Evidence of success: How has the idea/strategy strengthened the organisation? Please use metrics, anecdotes and case studies.
• Judges will consider feedback from stakeholders.

FUTURE INITIATIVES – 25%

• What objectives does your nominee plan to pursue next?
• Has your nominee’s performance affected the way your organisation approaches HR policy changes?
• What else can be done differently to further improve?
• What are some other support areas your nominee could benefit from in the future?
• What are some room for areas of improvement?
• What has your nominee’s performance taught your team about what else is achievable?

1. All categories are open to HR teams in any organisation with a local office in *North Asia region. Organisations may be listed, privately held, government-owned or NGOs.
2. All programmes/campaigns/systems/initiatives must have been implemented and carried out for the local offices in the eligible regions*, or for a regional and/or global office – the programme must have been spearheaded by the HR team in North Asia. This allows the awards to celebrate the best HR team that North Asia has to offer. 

3. All programmes/campaigns/systems/initiatives entered must have been executed or active between the period of between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 with demonstrable results. Initiatives or strategies developed and implemented prior to this period are also eligible, provided the results/impact were measured during the eligibility period.

4. There is no limit to the number of entries an organisation may submit. Organisations may submit multiple entries. However, when submitting multiple entries, you are strongly recommended to tailor them based on the requirements of each category.

* Eligible regions & countries including: China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Korea, Macau and Taiwan. 

Entry fee:
HK$1, 650 per entry (per entry)

Payment method:

• Credit cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Amex.
• For payments made by cheque and bank transfer, they are welcome for amounts over HK$10, 000. An invoice will be sent to you upon confirmation of your entry submission.

* All entry fees are non-refundable. Trophy is not included in the entry fees.

• All entry fees are non-refundable.
• Entries will not be considered for judging if payment is not received within five working days upon being invoiced, if invoice is required before payment.
• Without prior notice, Human Resources Online reserves the right to merge categories or dissolve any categories should it be deemed necessary. Should a category or categories be dissolved, entries in that category/categories will not be refunded.
• By submitting the entry, the entrants guarantee that all the works/information submitted are TRUE and ACCURATE. Human Resources Online reserves the right to verify any information submitted in the entry.
• Should your entry be shortlisted, your entry details found on the online registration site will be reflected on the awards website, the screen on the night of the awards, trophy (presented on the awards night, should you win) and any other awards-related materials.
• Upon submission deadline, all details on the entry submission form, including company names, credits and so on, are FINAL and CANNOT be changed and/or transferred to another party. Details will be reflected on the website, trophy (presented on the awards night, should you win) and/or any other awards-related materials. Any changes made after submission will be charged 10% of the submission fee.
• Also, please ensure that all details are submitted in ENGLISH only.
• The judges’ decisions are final.
• Finalists need to be present, or appoint a representative to be present, at the awards gala dinner in order to receive their trophy(ies) in case they win.
• Please refer to the full terms & conditions in the Entry Guidelines.

• Finalists may be featured in Human Resources Online, including but not limited to online channels, offline collaterals and on-site communications, using information from the entries.
• The entrant agrees that Human Resources Online or Lighthouse Independent Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions reproduced in the presentation of the HR Excellence Awards, in Human Resources Online, or for work lost or corrupted under any circumstances.
• Any specific information or content intended solely for judging purposes must be clearly indicated in red font or highlighted in red and will not be used for publication and will not be disseminated beyond the judging panel in any way.
• Lighthouse Independent Media and Human Resources Online reserve the rights to use photos, videos or interviews of members of your team or company inclusive of your logo/s, free of any royalty or license.