pwr_october-2024 - 6

SPEAKING OF POWER
Best Places to Work
in the Power Industry
Aaron Larson
arlier this year, POWER partnered
with Best Companies Group (BCG),
an organization dedicated to identifying
and recognizing outstanding workplaces
across various industries, to launch
our Best Places to Work in the Power Industry
program. The aim of this program
is to celebrate companies that foster
exceptional work environments.
E
This
program provides participating organizations
with an opportunity to showcase
their commitment to cultivating a positive
workplace culture.
POWER decided to partner with BCG
to develop this program because it is a
leader in helping companies assess and
enhance company work environments
and cultures. It has a 20-year track record
of administering effective custom surveys
and partnerships with the world's
top media brands. More than 10,000
companies from around the world participate
in BCG programs every year. The
group has a massive archive filled with
trustworthy data to use as competitive
benchmarks to help companies better
understand how they're performing
and where they `rank` among their peers.
There's no denying that BCG's recognition
is credible.
A Time-Consuming but
Worthwhile Process
Nominations were accepted for the Best
Places to Work program until the end of
April. Employee surveys, which included
77 questions on such things as company
leadership, corporate culture and
communication, work environment, role
satisfaction, relationship with supervisor,
training, pay and benefits, and overall
engagement, were conducted over the
spring and early summer time period.
Employer surveys, which included another
29 questions focused on company values,
policies, and programs, were also
conducted during this timeframe. BCG
evaluated all the input as it was received,
compiled its rankings, and delivered the
results to POWER.
There are many benefits of being recognized
as a Best Place to Work. First, it
6
can help attract top talent. According to
one study, top performers are 30% more
likely to apply for jobs with companies recognized
as a Best Place to Work. Not surprisingly,
workers are more likely to stay
with a company when they're part of such
an organization. Therefore, the recognition
doesn't just help a company win the talent
war, it can also cut recruiting costs.
Participating in the program can also
help in obtaining more business, including
more referral business. When potential
clients are looking for business
partners, they often consider factors
such as reputation, expertise, and company
culture. Being recognized as a top
employer can improve a company's reputation,
give it stronger brand equity, and
ultimately, increase business.
Finally, companies that prioritize a positive
and inclusive workplace culture are
more likely to attract a diverse range of
talent, including individuals with different
backgrounds and perspectives. This can
lead to a more well-rounded and innovative
team, which may be better equipped
to handle complex issues.
And the Winners Are ...
In this year's program, CS Energy, a leading
renewable energy company that develops,
designs, and builds solar, storage,
and emerging energy projects across the
U.S., and Fortress Information Security,
a firm that secures critical supply chains
and cyber assets from evolving threats,
are recognized as POWER's 2024 Best
Places to Work. Congratulations to both
companies for creating positive working
environments and outstanding company
cultures. To see photos of team building
and volunteer activities that the companies
have hosted, go to the online version
of this article at: bit.ly/BPW2024.
In surveys conducted by BCG, the
perks that CS Energy employees seem to
particularly love included group outings,
the company's annual party, and branded
merchandise giveaways. " Our team building
events are very successful and fun, "
one employee said. CS Energy's companywide
annual party, which is designed to
celebrate accomplishments, is a big hit,
www.powermag.com
and to top it off, the company pays for
lodging for all attending employees and
significant others. Receiving other free
stuff is also appreciated. " Employees love
the free polo, vest, jackets, water bottles,
and other CS Energy branded items the
company gives out, " a worker said.
Yet, offering a competitive benefits
package and having sound core values
doesn't hurt either. " We are committed
to doing right by our employees,
the environment, our partners, and the
communities in which we work, so that
everyone benefits from our efforts, " CS
Energy said.
Meanwhile, some of Fortress Information
Security's employees noted that the
company's mission/purpose was an important
factor in their job satisfaction. Some
also appreciated that the company provides
access to learning and development
opportunities, and empowers workers to
make important decisions. Yet, Fortress'
employees also like free stuff. " We frequently
run contests, challenges, and recognition
programs that reward employees
with prizes and gifts, " the company said.
Notably, Fortress offers an innovative
time off policy. " Recognizing the
importance of work-life balance, we
transitioned from a traditional 15 days of
paid time off (PTO) to an unlimited flexible
PTO policy. This shift empowers our
employees to take the time they need to
rest and recharge, " the company said.
" Recognized as one of the Best Places
to Work, we are committed to a culture of
relentless execution, unwavering positivity,
and strategic stewardship, " Fortress
said. " We offer competitive compensation,
flexible work arrangements, comprehensive
health care, and robust learning
opportunities. Our environment champions
collaboration and quality, making
Fortress not just a workplace but a community
where innovation thrives. As a
beacon of excellence, Fortress not only
sets the standard for a successful business
but also exemplifies what it means
to be a truly great place to work. Here, excellence
is not pursued; it is practiced. " ■
-Aaron Larson is POWER's
executive editor.
POWER | October 2024
https://www.powermag.com/best-places-to-work-in-the-power-industry/ http://www.powermag.com
pwr_october-2024

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