8. Intertech Consulting
Ask Intertech Founder and CEO Tom Salonek what's unique about his firm and he'll say it's the non-compromising commitment to making Intertech a truly great place to work that sets it apart from competitors.
"We don't just throw an occasional party and expect folks to be happy," he says. "Our approach is to listen to our employees, to take their ideas seriously, to compensate them as generously as possible and that means more than just money."
For many folks, he says, time with their families is more important than even salary. That's why the firm features a flexible work environment that allows people to work from home. Also, the firm offer a sabbatical of up to eight weeks off, at full pay, in addition to an employee's regular vacation time, after seven years of continuous service.
Employees also benefit from firm leadership's transparency, a term that's often lip-service at many firms but not at Intertech, which shares revenue numbers with everyone during monthly business update sessions and quarterly meetings.
The firm also regularly invites employee feedback through town halls that focus on how to make the firm better. "No one from the leadership team is present for the town hall, and the feedback that results is shared with us anonymously," Salonek says. "We have implemented many ideas that have resulted from these sessions."
It's that level of input that makes employees feel vested as part of the firm. It's no wonder the firm scored extremely high in both the culture (No. 1) and leadership (No. 2) categories on the survey. Salonek says he doesn't think there is any one 'magic bullet' for the firm's success, but rather a combination of "all the things we do as a firm."
And Salonek should know all about them. He wrote the book—literally—on how to build a winning business. In his Building a Winning Business, he describes Intertech's approach to management and client service. "It pretty much boils down to valuing people—respecting their time, creativity and intelligence—and making sure they have opportunities to shine," he says. "If we get that right, everything else flows from there. We are continually looking to grow our business in smart ways that will allow our people to do interesting, challenging work and that will benefit organizations from a broader, strategic perspective."
As a first-time Best Small Firm to Work For, Salonek says: "This award validates our leadership team is on the right track and that our people appreciate the culture we have worked hard to achieve."
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MORALE AT YOUR FIRM? WHY? CAN YOU CREDIT ANY SPECIFIC PROGRAMS OR INITIATIVES?
Intertech Founder and CEO Tom Salonek says: "Employee morale is very positive. People here are energized by interesting work. They also share a commitment to teamwork and a general sense of collegiality. Our ACE employee recognition program, in which employees nominate each other, is fun and helps us shine the spotlight on people who go the extra mile for clients and each other. Beyond that, I think the fact that we're a small firm filled with exceptional people certainly helps to foster a positive team feeling. We also support the local Ronald McDonald House. Our employees enjoy the chance to help throw birthday parties there for sick children and their siblings once a month. I think all of these things bring us together and build a sense of community and positive spirit."
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