Top Places to Work

Presented by Goodwill Industries

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Nominate for the 2011 Top Places To Work!

The Top Places to Work program recognizes outstanding company cultures in the South Sound.  Nominees are evaluated in five categories, Integrity, Gratification, Equity, Solidarity and Appreciation.

Download the 2010 Top Places To Work supplement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Organization must be headquartered in the South Sound (Pierce, Thurston, Mason or Lewis Counties, or South King County)
• Organization must be at least five years old
• Organization may not be the subsidiary of a parent organization
• Organization must complete the application process
• 30% of the nominee's South Sound workforce must submit an employee opinion survey evaluating their workplace culture

AWARD CATEGORIES: Honors go to companies outstanding in each of the judging areas:

• Solidarity - Fosters a socially welcoming work culture ~ Sense of team or family ~ Ability to be genuine and authentic as individuals
• Gratification - Employees are proud of: personal contributions, team contributions, organization's products and reputation
• Equity - Rewards are distributed with fairness ~ Promotions and hiring are based on ability and qualifications ~ There is a process for appeals ~ Discrimination is intolerable
• Appreciation - Employees are consulted on relevant decisions ~ Professional development is supported ~ Personal lives are respected
• Integrity - Company vision is communicated and consistent with employee responsibilities ~ Employees are provided with resources and tools needed to be successful and complete tasks ~ Communication is open and accessible

Three organizations take home titles of the Top Place to Work for the highest cumulative scores in the above categories:

• Large company category - 100+ employees
•  Small/medium company category - minimum of five employees
•  Non-profit category

EVENT-
Date: March 2011
Location: TBD
Tickets: TBD


PUBLICATION - The Top Places to Work special event publication will distributed at the recognition event and inserted in the Business Examiner. 


SPONSORSHIPS -  This leadership program would not be possible without our valued business sponsors.

2010 Sponsors Presented by: 

Tacoma Goodwill Industries

Since 1902, Goodwill's concept of building job skills, instead of giving handouts, has given people of all ages and backgrounds a chance to succeed. Tacoma Goodwill opened in 1921 as the 19th Goodwill in the United States, offering training and assistance for people with disabilities or disadvantages.
The cycle of donations, processing, resale and wages is still the backbone of Goodwill Industries. Tacoma Goodwill receives 50 million pounds of donated goods each year. Goodwill supports their vocational programs through proceeds from 21 stores, an on-line store, a packaging & assembly resource for businesses and commercial custodial services. Goodwill proudly serves the citizens of 15 counties in Washington State.

Supported by:
 
         

• Heritage Bank has been creating financial solutions for the changing needs of our neighbors since 1927. They are known as the "quality bank" because they combine a heritage of excellence in relationship banking with 21st century technology, products and services. They offer a variety of business banking products to assist you with your business needs.

• Sound Glass Inc. For over 25 year we have striven to adapt to our customer's needs by focusing on residential and commercial glass services. We also developed the sales, manufacturing and installation of custom sunrooms. After our Lakewood location expanded sufficiently we opened another shop in the Kent area. Years later we expanded by adding a store in Bremerton. Sound Glass evolved to three locations, sixty employees and twenty two service vehicles. We continue to improve our facilities and adapt so we can offer our customers superior service. Our focus on quality long term employees also adds to consistent excellent customer service. Sound Glass exceeds our customer expectations emphasizing our reputation for quality products and service. As a team and individually, we are motivated to achieve the high productivity and quality that make us the "Glass Company of Choice." - Warren W. Willoughby President, Sound Glass

         

• Albers & Company - We're workforce management partners.   Using our 25 years experience in employee benefit consulting we discovered a fundamental flaw in the traditional approach.  In 2007 we began to create The Accountability EdgeTM. The TAE helps our clients control costs, maximize their benefits investment, engage employees and accomplish their goals.  In addition, to moving from a tactical to a more strategic approach, one of the most profound outcomes our clients tell us they appreciate is they can measure their return on investment.  The results?  We've saved our clients thousands in premiums.  While we can't take too much credit, several of our clients have been nominated or awarded the BE's "Top Places to Work" designation.  CEOs and HR clients agree, instead of the annual "benefits quandary", which we've named the Relentless Dissatisfaction Cycle, TAE participants have "peace of mind" knowing they've got a game plan . . . and it's working.
  

• The acclaimed Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center's contiguous glass walls give way to breathtaking mountain and water views. Anchored in the heart of a vibrant city, located just south of Seattle, we are the second largest meeting facility in Western Washington. Offering more than 118,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, we are not only upscale, attractive, and affordable, but we are dedicated to protecting the environment through implementation of our policy and practices!

• One step inside an Umpqua store and you'll sense it right away: they go beyond banking as usual. Their stores are neighborhood hubs where anyone can hang out with a cup of hot coffee and surf the web. Their associates are also empowered to make decisions locally and take paid time off to volunteer in their communities. Stop by your neighborhood Umpqua Bank to see what it means to bank like you live. Umpqua Bank is member FDIC.

• Contributing Sponsors:

• Tacoma Public Utilities provides services that are vital to our quality of life.

Powell Human Resources Consulting, LLC, is a Puget Sound area consulting firm providing a wide variety of organizational development and human resources consulting services. Our services can be provided on-site or off-site, or a combination that best meets your organization's needs. Some of our clients use our services to supplement an existing human resource department while others find it advantageous to use our services in place of a formal human resource function. We provide sustainable results to help our clients achieve greater profitability, organizational strength, and individual growth.

Event Partners:

• AA Party Rentals - is a premier party rental company of the Pacific Northwest for an intimate dinner party for two, business function, or a charity event. AA Party Rentals provides the highest quality merchandise, experienced, knowledgeable, and service oriented staff.

          

• Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc The core of our company is providing quality disc jockey services. Entertain your guests! 20 - 20,000 people, whatever your event, we take care of you. Benefit Auctions, Company Parties, Seminars, and even School Dances. Our specialty is audio, visual, and disc jockey services. Talk to us about your wishes, needs, your budget, and we'll help you plan the most effective event for your budget.

• J Robbins Florist Jennifer Robbins has been designing inspired flowers for weddings and events for over a decade. Her fresh, fun outlook, boundless creativity and can-do attitude puts her clients at ease and provides the assurance that their special day will exceed all expectations




• Dane Gregory Meyer - Dane Meyer is a West Coast photographer based in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA area. He has been shooting commercially since 1988. In the last decade, his work has focused on interiors, architecture and people. He has served many leading businesses, organizations, architects, designers, developers, contractors, artisans, artists, publications, and ad agencies. His work has often resulted in both regional and national awards for his clients.   
  

• Pardiman Productions is a company that specializes in promotional video production.  We use video to help promote your business, products, service, concept or whatever needs promoting.  And we do it in a professional manner at an affordable rate.  No matter how you use it, video will help you connect with more customers on a more personal level and build lasting business relationships.

• Black Tie Espresso Catering's fully equipped, professional espresso bar lends a sense of sophistication to any event. We will help create a unique and memorable experience, whether it's an open house, corporate event, or private party.

If your company is interested in aligning yourself with the BE in a unique way reaching this niche demographic please contact us.


MORE INFORMATION

Please e-mail events@BusinessExaminer.com.