The Top 100

About this time each year, my local newspaper – The Dallas Morning News – opens its request for nominees for the area’s “Top 100 Places to Work”. The survey is conducted by The News’ research partner, Energage, LLC, an organization that works with 50 media partners across the country including Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Boston Globe.

Anyone can nominate any organization – public, private, nonprofit or government that employs at least 50 people, and the “winners” are recognized in different size categories – small business (50-149 employees), medium (150-499), and large (500 or more).

To be named to the “Top 100 Places to Work” list is a coveted prize, and recognition on that list provides companies with a greater likelihood of attracting and keeping talent in the current tight job market. The Top 100 Companies know that culture is key. It’s something that must be a priority, something that’s worked on each day and never taken for granted.

Here’s a sample of the survey statements to which workers are asked to give a true or false response:

“My job makes me feel like I am part of something meaningful.”
“I feel genuinely appreciated at my company”
“The company operates by strong values.”
“There is good interdepartmental cooperation at this company.”
“New ideas are encouraged at this company.”
“I get the formal training I want for my career.”
“I have confidence in the leader of this company.”
“My manager cares about my concerns.”

If you run a business or are an employee, the question is, “How does your organization measure up?” How would your employees or your co-workers respond to these statements?

And following the same line of thinking, how would your family respond? How about others with whom you come in contact? When they interact or work with you, do they feel the interaction is meaningful? Do they feel appreciated? Are strong values, cooperation, new ideas, and learning new skills recognized as important? Do people have confidence in your leadership? Do they know you care?

Every company – large or small – has a culture, just as every nonprofit, school, church, social group, sports team. And yes – even families.

So here’s something to consider…

Although the survey is designed for companies, the questions are certainly worthy of consideration on a personal level. How do you measure up?