Azzur Labs has been selected as one of the Best Workplaces for 2017 by Inc. magazine, and we couldn't be more excited! The list released by Inc. magazine is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of private American companies that have created exceptional workplaces through vibrant cultures, deep employee engagement, and stellar benefits. Out of thousands of applicants, Inc. singled out just over 200 winning companies.
Built-in partnership with employee engagement and work culture experts Quantum Workplace of Omaha, Nebraska, Inc.'s Best Workplaces list is a magnifying glass on how innovative companies can truly raise the bar in hiring and retaining the best talent.
What does it take to become a company that workers want to be part of? Inc. magazine says it's more than good pay and good perks – it's also about having a clear purpose, a sense of humor, and leadership that makes the two work together.
"Individuals are pursuing companies that inspire and support them in achieving purpose and fulfillment," said Kym Faylor, President of Azzur Labs. "This makes it more important than ever for companies to continually strive to lead, empower and encourage."
The 2017 Inc. Best Workplaces Awards assessed applicants on the basis of benefits offered and employees' responses to a unique, 30-question survey fielded by each of the applying companies. Responses were evaluated by the research team at Quantum Workplace. For its results to qualify, each company had to achieve a statistically significant response rate based on employee count. Survey scores account for employer size to level the playing field between small and large businesses. All companies had to have a minimum of 10 employees and to be U.S.-based, privately held, and independent – that is, not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies.
While researching the entries, Inc. and Quantum saw distinct themes develop:
- Strong company cultures breed stunning individual and team performance.
- When employees feel valued by their organization, they are far more likely to be engaged. This single factor proved to be one of the largest drivers of employee engagement.
- Encouraging both professional and social relationships within the company provides a sense of community and openness.
"By introducing an employee survey into this year's Best Workplaces selection process, we've really raised the bar. Companies that don't score at the very top of their peer group don't make the cut. So, our hats are off to the winners. They all excelled at engaging their workers, making them feel appreciated, and aligning them behind a mission. And remember, that's not just our opinion: The employees told us that themselves."