Thank you for participating in the Best Companies to Work For Survey

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

1

Thank you for participating in the Best Companies to Work For Survey

Thank you for participating in this year’s Seattle Business Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For research study.

The following report summarizes your company’s survey results and provides data with which your company can compare its performance against other companies.

The study was managed and implemented by Ipsos and Seattle Business Magazine and the reporting was prepared independently by Ipsos, an international market research company.

If you have any questions about the study, you can contact Leslie Helm at Seattle Business. If you have any questions about the reporting, please contact Shannon von Trotha from Ipsos.

Happy Reading!

Leslie Helm Shannon von TrothaEditor Research ManagerSeattle Business Magazine Ipsos206-452-2966 425-454-1362

Nobody’s Unpredictable

Company xSeattle Business Magazine

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Report Outline

Background, Objectives and Methodology 4

Executive Summary 7

Top Level Results 9

Detailed Results 13

Employee Comments 24

Appendix 26

Detailed Methodology 27

Employee Questionnaire 29


Background, Objectives and Methodology

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Background and Objectives

Background

Every year, Seattle Business Magazine conducts a survey among employees and management of companies throughout the state of Washington.

Survey results are provided to each individual company, so companies can compare their employees’ perceptions and satisfaction with other companies of similar size and industry.

Seattle Business Magazine showcases the survey results and honors the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the July issue of its magazine.

Objectives

Measure perceptions and satisfaction across 50 individual attributes within 10 general employment topics.

Identify the level of importance of 10 general employment topics.

Provide visual comparison of the results by the following:

Company size (small vs. medium vs. large);

Industry average; and,

Total respondents that take the survey.

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Online questionnaire fielded between February 5th and March 3rd, 2009:

The questionnaire was developed by Seattle Business Magazine and an independent research company, Ipsos;

Fielding and data collection was completed by Ipsos; and

The questionnaire took approximately 10 to 15 minutes for respondents to complete.

Eligible respondents included:

Full-time equivalent employees; and,

All working in the state of Washington.

Number of completed surveys:

Data analysis and reporting were completed by independent research company, Ipsos.

Methodology

Group Sample Size

Company X 1354n

Industry Sector 1424n

Large 3823n

Total 9570n


Executive Summary

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Average Scores by Key Categories

7.9

7.6

8.2

8.2

8.5

8.5

8

8.4

8.6

8.7

7.7

7.3

7.7

8

8.1

8.1

7.9

8.1

8.3

8.5

6.5

6.7

6.8

7.2

7.3

7.3

7.2

7.4

7.6

7.9

6.5

6.7

6.8

7.2

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.9

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Training andEducation

Rewards andRecognition

Corporate Culture

PerformanceStandards

Responsibility andDecision-Making

Leadership

Hiring and Retention

Communication

Work Environment

Benefits

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Q1-10. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement. These scores are the average of the five scores given to the five attributes within each of the ten general employment categories. Please see the Detailed Results section for further breakdown within each category.

Company X

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Q12. How important are the following topics to you personally when it comes to the company you work for? Please select one response for each topic on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Not at all important” and 10 is “Very important.”

Level of Importance Employees Place on Key Categories

8.2

8.5

8.3

8.5

8.7

9

9.1

9.3

9

9.3

8.3

8.2

8.4

8.8

8.9

9

9.1

9.3

9.3

9.4

8

8.2

8.2

8.5

8.6

8.9

9

9.1

9.2

9.2

8

8.1

8.2

8.5

8.6

8.9

9

9.1

9.2

9.2

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0


Corporate Culture





Leadership

Communication

Benefits

Work Environment

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Q13. In your opinion, how much importance does your company place on each of the following topics? Please select one response for each topic on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “No importance,” and 10 is “Strong Importance.”

Perceived Level of Importance Company Places on Key Categories

8.1

7.8

7.9

8.5

8.3

8.3

8.4

8.2

8.4

8.5

7.7

7.8

7.7

8.1

8

8.3

8.2

8.1

8.3

8.2

6.8

6.9

7

7.2

7.3

7.3

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

6.7

6.9

7

7.2

7.3

7.3

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0




Work Environment


Benefits

Leadership

Communication


Corporate Culture

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total


Detailed Results

Company X

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Q1. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

Communication

Our company encourages...

8.3

8.5

8.4

8.6

8.3

8

8

8

8.3

7.9

7.3

7.4

7.4

7.5

7.5

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.5

7.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Keeping employees informed about all aspects of the business and financials

Management to be visible and accessible to employees

Sharing 'good news' and 'bad news' without blaming or fault-

finding

Informal discussions and opportunities for spontaneous

conversations

Prompt response to employees' questions,

suggestions, and feedback

Company X

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Training and Education

Our company promotes employee development by...

7.7

7.6

8

7.8

8.5

7.2

7.4

7.8

7.7

8.1

5.5

6.3

6.8

6.8

7.2

5.4

6.3

6.8

6.8

7.2

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Encouraging employees to share their expertise with

others

Training mentors to provide on-the-job training to peers

and new employees

Providing, or making available, professional, technical,

management & skills training

Building alliances with educational and training

resources in the community

Reimbursing educational and training expenses incurred for

degrees and certificates

Company X

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Responsibility and Decision-making

Our company fosters an environment in which employees...

8.4

8.4

8.5

8.5

8.4

8

8

8.2

8.1

8.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.4

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Take reasonable risks in getting the job done for the

customer or client

Try new ideas, solve problems, and contribute to

the 'bottom line'

Make the necessary decisions to get the job done effectively

Work together in self-managing teams to achieve

business goals

Accept responsibility and take personal accountability for

results

Company X

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Performance Standards

The performance standards in our company are...

8

8.2

8.1

8.3

8.3

7.7

8

8

8.1

8.1

6.8

7.3

7.3

7.4

7.4

6.8

7.3

7.3

7.4

7.4

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Challenging but attainable

Measurable and consistent with company objectives

Reviewed with employees throughout the year and

updated to reflect changes

Well-defined and direct performance toward desired

results

Discussed with employees and mutually agreed upon

Company X

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Rewards and Recognition

Our company provides...

7.4

7.8

7.2

8.2

7.3

7

7.4

6.8

7.8

7.6

6.1

6.4

6.3

7

7.8

6.1

6.3

6.3

6.9

7.9

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Profit sharing to all employees

Recognition to individuals and groups appropriate to the

occasion

Bonuses for excellent team performance

Competitive and equitable salaries / wages to all

employees

Performance-based compensation for individual

contributors

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Benefits

Our benefits package is designed to meet the needs of all employees and includes...

8.2

8.7

8.7

8.9

9

7.8

8.5

8.6

8.9

8.9

7.5

7.6

7.8

8.4

8.4

7.5

7.7

7.8

8.4

8.4

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Paid vacations, sick leaves, sabbaticals, or personal time

off

Comprehensive retirement savings program (such as

401K and 403B)

Comprehensive medical plans

Comprehensive dental plans

Flexible working hours, telecommuting, or job-sharing

opportunities

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Leadership

The leadership in our company...

8.4

8.4

8.5

8.6

8.5

8

8.1

8.1

8.2

8.1

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.4

7.1

7.2

7.2

7.4

7.4

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Respects employees and their opinions, promoting diversity

in the workplace

Encourages employees to take leadership roles in getting

the job done

Serves as good role models and inspires others to do well

Encourages team spirit and fosters cooperation among

departments

Builds strong relationships based on trust, honesty and

integrity

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Work Environment

Our company’s working environment...

8.5

8.4

8.6

8.7

9

8

8

8.2

8.4

8.7

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.7

8.1

7.2

7.2

7.4

7.7

8.1

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry sector

Large

Total

Is comfortable and safe

Makes employees feel proud to work here

Fosters informal discussions and employee interaction

Reflects a balance between work and personal needs

Encourages creativity and brainstorming

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Our company offers...

6.7

7.9

8.1

8.3

9

6.8

7.5

7.8

8.5

8.8

6.1

6.8

7.1

7.9

8.3

6.1

6.8

7.1

7.9

8.3

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Fair employment practices that encourage diversity (race,

sex, age, disabilities)

Comprehensive orientation sessions for new employees

Opportunities for employees to advance within the company

A competitive turnover rate for our industry (10=low turnover

and 1=high)

A formalized program for identifying future leaders

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Corporate Culture

Our company has developed a culture that...

7.7

8.1

8.1

8.3

8.6

7.1

7.7

7.7

7.9

8.3

6.1

6.5

6.9

7

7.7

6.1

6.4

6.9

7

7.7

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Company X

Industry Sector

Large

Total

Focuses on the long-term, rather than short-term success

of the firm

Encourages employees to act and think independently

Allows an employee to act on their convictions

Demands accountability from employees at all levels of the

organization

Avoids making new policies and procedures for every new

problem


Employee Comments

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Employee Comments

Please provide any additional comments and feedback on your company below. Please be as specific as possible.

Double-click on the slide to see ALL of the verbatimsQ14. Please provide any additional comments and feedback on your company below. Please be as specific as possible.

Company X ……Company X ……Company X ……Company X ……Company X ……Company X ……


Appendix

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Detailed Methodology

Research Design and Methodology

An online survey of employees with 102 nominated companies in Washington was fielded between February 5th and March 3rd, 2009. Those eligible to take part in the survey were considered full-time equivalent employees who work in the state of Washington. The “total” overall sample represented in the following report includes approximately 10,000 employees.

Sampling Frames

Once the email survey invitation was created, it was sent to the primary contact at each firm. This invitation included instructions for administering the survey. The primary contact emailed the survey link to the employees in order to take part in the survey.

For overall analysis, Ipsos segmented the data files, dividing companies by size (small, medium, large – or non-profit) and industry to establish comparable findings by company size for participants. The data was also analyzed across all companies combined to develop overall findings for Seattle Business Magazine and participating companies.

Company size was determined based on the total number of employees in the state of Washington (not solely full-time equivalent employees). Companies were segmented by company size using the following cut points: small – 2 to 99 employees, medium – 100 to 499 employees, and large – 500 or more employees. Non-profit firms were categorized separately.

Industry was determined based the industry that was selected in the corporate survey that was completed by the company’s contact who administered the survey to its employees.

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Detailed Methodology (cont.)

Employee Confidentiality

Ipsos took every reasonable step possible to protect the confidentiality of employee responses, especially verbatim comments, to safeguard participants as well as the overall credibility and usefulness of the results.

Data Quality

The online surveys were collected using Internet survey software, and the data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Program for the Social Sciences). Data was continually monitored to ensure that the data collected was of the highest quality.

Performance Scores by Category

The overall performance score of each of the ten categories was calculated by averaging the five scores of each component that makes up each category.

For example, the total performance score of the Benefits category (Q6) is the average of the performance scores of comprehensive medical plans, dental plans, retirement savings programs, paid vacations/sick leave/sabbaticals/personal time off and flexible working hours/telecommuting/job-sharing opportunities.

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

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Employee QuestionnaireEmployee Questionnaire

Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement. Each statement is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree Completely” and 10 is “Agree Completely.”

Q1. Communication

Our company encourages …

Sharing “good news” and “bad news” without blaming or fault-finding

Informal discussions and opportunities for spontaneous conversations

Keeping employees informed about all aspects of the business and financials

Management to be visible and accessible to employees

Prompt response to employees’ questions, suggestions, and feedback

Q2. Training and Education

Our company promotes employee development by …

Reimbursing educational and training expenses incurred for degrees and certificates

Providing, or making available, professional, technical, management & skills training

Training mentors to provide on-the-job training to peers and new employees

Encouraging employees to share their expertise with others

Building alliances with educational and training resources in the community

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

28

Employee Questionnaire (cont.)Employee Questionnaire (cont.)

Q3. Responsibility and Decision-Making

Our company fosters an environment in which employees …

Accept responsibility and take personal accountability for results

Take reasonable risks in getting the job done for the customer or client

Make the necessary decisions to get the job done effectively

Try new ideas, solve problems, and contribute to the “bottom line”

Work together in self-managing teams to achieve business goals

Q4. Performance Standards

The performance standards in our company are …

Discussed with employees and mutually agreed upon

Reviewed with employees throughout the year and updated to reflect changes

Challenging but attainable

Measurable and consistent with company objectives

Well-defined and direct performance toward desired results

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

29

Employee Questionnaire (continued)Employee Questionnaire (continued)

Q5. Rewards and Recognition

Our company provides …

Competitive and equitable salaries/wages to all employees

Performance-based compensation for individual contributors

Bonuses for excellent team performance

Profit sharing to all employees

Recognition to individuals and groups appropriate to the occasion

Q6. Benefits

Our benefits package is designed to meet the needs of all employees and includes …

Comprehensive medical plans

Comprehensive dental plans

Comprehensive retirement savings program (such as 401K and 403B)

Paid vacations, sick leaves, sabbaticals, or personal time off

Flexible working hours, telecommuting, or job-sharing opportunities

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

30


Q7. Leadership

The leadership of our company …

Serves as good role models and inspires others to do well

Encourages team spirit and fosters cooperation among departments

Respects employees and their opinions, promoting diversity in the workplace

Encourages employees to take leadership roles in getting the job done

Builds strong relationships based on trust, honesty and integrity

Q8. Work Environment

Our company’s working environment …

Makes employees feel proud to work here

Encourages creativity and brainstorming

Is comfortable and safe

Fosters informal discussions and employee interaction

Reflects a balance between work and personal needs

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

31


Q9. Hiring and Retention

Our company offers …

Fair employment practices that encourage diversity (race, sex, age, disabilities)

Opportunities for employees to advance within the company

A competitive turnover rate for our industry (10=low turnover and 1=high)

Comprehensive orientation sessions for new employees

A formalized program for identifying future leaders

Q10. Corporate Culture

Our company has developed a culture that …

Encourages employees to act and think independently

Demands accountability from employees at all levels of the organization

Focuses on the long-term, rather than short-term success of the firm

Allows an employee to act on their convictions

Avoids making new policies and procedures for every new problem

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

32


Q12. How important are the following topics to you personally when it comes to the company you work for? Please select one response for each topic. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Not at all important,” and 10 is “very important.”

Communication


Responsibility and Decision-Making



Benefits

Leadership

Work Environment


Corporate Culture

Company X

© 2009 Ipsos

33


Q13. In your opinion, how much importance does your company place on each of the following topics? Please select one response for each topic. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Not at all important,” and 10 is “very important.”

Communication


Responsibility and Decision-Making



Benefits

Leadership

Work Environment


Corporate Culture

Q14. Please provide any additional comments and feedback on your company below. Please be as specific as possible.

Thank you for participating in the Best Companies to Work For Survey

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