According to the North Bay Business Journal, "The winners send a clear message about the balance between doing good work and having fun while you are doing it. And the key element to creating that balance is people, yes, but very importantly, management."
When asked to express in their own words why their company was a great place to work, many survey respondents emphasized the importance of good management, which was described as consisting of mutual respect, fairness, and open communication.
E-Myth survey respondents in particular noted the contributions of their new management team in making the company one of the Best Places to Work in the North Bay. In fact, E-Myth employees stressed their pride at working for a company with strong workplace equality, a sense of camaraderie, and good morale, thanks in large part to a strategic company overhaul initiated by the CEO, William Schlegel.
Schlegel notes, "When I came on board in 2004, I knew I wanted to instill a culture of teamwork and responsibility. To do that, I hired a new executive team, restructured employee compensation, and established regular employee meetings. In addition, quarterly entrepreneurship awards are now presented to employees who demonstrate talent and creativity, and we hold informal events where management and staff can socialize together and have fun."
Beyond that, Schlegel brought an expanded strategy that encourages employee innovation. The result is that the company has created a whole new suite of online products and services, with the goal of reaching out to potential clients worldwide and increasing profitability. Employees receive bonuses for their contributions in creating these inventive new offerings, and the company as a whole has been energized by the new strategy.
The result has been a palpable uplift in company spirit. In fact, E-Myth had one of the most enthusiastic employee survey response rates, hitting upwards of 90 percent. Explains Schlegel, "Every worker is encouraged to be a marketer and spokesperson both inside and outside of the business, and they're recognized and rewarded for that."
In just over two years, Schlegel and his team, with the full support of the company's Board of Directors, have not only turned E-Myth into a tightly knit, loyal group of employees with a strong sense of purpose and pride - but also into a more profitable enterprise. "The proof is there in black and white," says Schlegel. "Happier employees make for more productive employees."
About the survey
Nominations for Best Places to Work in the North Bay were opened in spring 2006. Nominated companies were then contacted by North Bay Business Journal staff and invited to submit a company application, followed by a mandatory online employee survey that drew 3,400 responses from across the region. The survey was set up through Zoomerang, a widely popular online polling tool. All responses were anonymous.
Ninety companies were nominated in three categories (based on number of employees), and 24 winners were chosen. These 24 companies were selected after being analyzed by the editorial staff of the Business Journal on the basis of several criteria, including the employee questionnaire, the survey ratings by employees, the number of responses, the size of the company, the breakdown of responses by management and non-management, as well as written comments. E-Myth was a winner in the category of companies with 25-100 employees.
About E-Myth Worldwide
Founded in 1977, E-Myth Worldwide is a privately-held online business development education provider. E-Myth's systems-based curriculum has been delivered to over 52,000 current and emerging business owners around the globe through an array of innovative programs, including inspirational seminars, business coaching programs, and award-winning online courses, products, and services.
E-Myth's technology-based Embark(TM) multimedia platform was developed to be accessible 24/7, in order to serve business owners regardless of geography or industry. The online education courses and programs were designed to suit various learning styles, stages of business maturity, and investment levels. These interactive, real-world solutions allow business leaders from around the globe to leverage the E-Myth curriculum to more effectively compete and succeed in the 21st century marketplace. Learn more about E-Myth Worldwide at http://www.e-myth.com
