By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator
Dallas, TX – It's Friday, so "It's Only Money," a review of the big and not-so-big stories of the week. I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Midday.
Here's a list every company should strive to be on. It's not about earnings, revenues or shareholder value, although it can almost be guaranteed all of the above would benefit. It's about employee satisfaction. Yesterday afternoon, the Dallas Business Journal announced the 2003 Best Places to Work in Dallas-Fort Worth. It definitely wasn't your ordinary let's-take-ourselves-too-seriously luncheon. It was a celebration in times when more and more executives and CEO have forsaken the employee for their own selfish gains. These are the companies that people are proud to work at. In fact, CEO Dan Basso of Systemware, Inc., the number one small business in the Metroplex, told the audience when he heard that 98.1% of his employees were proud to be working there, he replied, "I have work to do!"
Out of the 300 surveys submitted to the Dallas Business Journal, finalists were chosen for the four categories. More surveys and out of the top ten list, here are the winners: Once again, Systemware, in the small business category - 1-100 employees. Mid-sized business 101- 500 employees - The Staubach Company. For the largest business with over 500 employees - Pizza Hut. And the top business based outside the Metroplex - but which has a substantial presence here - Comerica Bank, Texas.
Here are just a few of the comments from employees on the finalist list:
"Everyone's opinion matters."
"Love the insurance benefits for part-time workers."
"Bi-weekly massages and weekly fruit" are wonderful, too.
I was most impressed with Intuit Inc. based outside the Metroplex. The company gives every employee 23 hours a year of paid time off to do volunteer work for the community. What more can you say?
On a personal note, for the second time around I need to say farewell to someone. We knew it was coming eventually. Bye Michael, we'll miss you.
For KERA Marketplace Midday, I'm Maxine Shapiro.
Marketplace Midday Reports air on KERA 90.1 Monday - Friday at 1:04 p.m. To contact Maxine Shapiro, please send emails to mshapiro@kera.org.