The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) recently announced their list of the
101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in West Michigan. For one organization --
Mindscape at Hanon McKendry, a web-design and marketing firm -- the recognition only reinforces their view that human resource management is an important strategic decision.
According to Ellen Winterburn, director of HR, this accolade is the result of a comprehensive human resource policy that addresses not only work-life balance, but also empowerment, creativity and employee appreciation.
"We've found that giving employees a work/life balance is really critical in getting the best work out of our employees," she says. "A number of our team members are able to work four ten-hour days with two four-day weekends a month."
Besides the scheduling flexibility, Winterburn also explains that the they are always searching out ways to share information internally.
"We do this within a very open format at our monthly meetings and then through technology tools, like our "idea generator," which helps us manage our new idea projects," she explains. "We also take an annual long weekend trip to Florida to celebrate our successes and plan out the upcoming year."
Winterburn reports that Mindscape has grown from 11 employees at the end of 2009 to 21 at the end of 2010. Currently, their team is looking for individuals with PHP and .net programming skills and content managers who can create online content for their clients.
The companies that have been recognized by MBPA will now vie for awards in various categories. From that list, there will be one organization chosen as "best of the best" at a May luncheon at the Pinnacle Center.
Source: Ellen Winterburn, Mindscape at HM
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor
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