Comments on: The problem with “Best Place to Work” lists

By: Chris Ferdinandi

Chris Ferdinandi — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:50:34 +0000

@Anissa – Thanks for providing a sneak-peak into the culture at SAS. I wish that was the kind of stuff they focused on more in these articles!

By: Anissa Stein

Anissa Stein — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:46:04 +0000

I lived in Raleigh for 12 years and knew many people who worked for SAS. Those perks were the icing on the cake that reinforced the culture that existed. Their culture is supportive, encouraging, and empowering. Employees create the hours that work best for them, encourage in their professional development, and want their employees to feel like a family, which they accomplish successfully. They believe in the future of their employees’ kids and created their own school for this purpose (which they also subsidize), though non-SAS students can apply as well and be accepted. They alleviate worries of errands by those same perks, including onsite medical care/mini-hospital. The top 50 places to work should focus on the culture and employee attitudes about the organization in which they work in terms of job satisfaction, their development opportunities, and management (in my opinion). These are the areas that when culture doesn’t work are the chief complaints. It’s been said many times – employees don’t leave companies, they leave bosses. So instead why aren’t we talking more about the management of the Top 50 companies and how they affect employees? Just my thoughts!

By: Chris Ferdinandi

Chris Ferdinandi — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:32:45 +0000

@Paul – Thanks for the comment, and providing a little more insight into the process.

If anyone’s curious about the Netflix culture stuff Paul referenced, check out their Slideshare presentation here: http://www.slideshare.net/reed2001/culture-1798664

By: Paul Hebert

Paul Hebert — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:34:31 +0000

I worked at a company that was on one of these lists. First of all – you have to “apply” to be considered – meaning it’s already self-selecting so it’s not someone from the outside making the decision to include a company. Second – internally – there was a huge push to fill out the “questionnaire” positively – so it really didn’t represent the true feelings of the employees – more the fear that if you didn’t fill it out the way they wanted somehow they’d find you.

I don’t think I’d trust any of them unless there was some way to ensure that it was a bottom up ranking – driven by the employees with little or no management influence.

Read the Netflix stuff on their culture – they specifically state that a great place to work isn’t food, benefits, ore games – it’s working with “stunning” performers.

By: Chris Ferdinandi

Chris Ferdinandi — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:30:27 +0000

@Matt – Thanks for the comment! What sort of HR best practices do you think are actually worth their weight?

By: Matt Arrigale

Matt Arrigale — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:05:02 +0000

Well put. I completely agree. The list should be renamed “most innovative employee perks”… It’s interesting to read about these ideas but the sad thing is that many companies simply copy some of the ideas – hoping that it will make them a “best place to work”. It’s like throwing darts. In actuality they are often throwing money out the window if they don’t carefully consider their own culture, employee value proposition, and what types of employees they really need to attract in order to execute their own company mission. In general, “best practices” in HR practices are overrated.

By: Chris Ferdinandi

Chris Ferdinandi — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:50:44 +0000

@Krista – Great point! From what I’ve heard, even getting considered and surveyed for one of these lists is pretty difficult and involves quite a bit of PR and leg work.

By: Krista Francis

Krista Francis — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:46:47 +0000

When I read “Best Places to Work” articles, I’m always reminded of magazines with “50 Most Beautiful People on the Face of the Planet” articles.

Are those people really the 50 most beautiful in the world? Obviously not. A more accurate title: “50 Really Attractive People Whose Careers Are Really Hot Right Now.”

Similarly, “Best Places to Work” articles miss lots of great companies that fly under the radar, especially small businesses and nonprofits.

By: Chris Ferdinandi

Chris Ferdinandi — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:11:02 +0000

@Allyson – Thanks for the comment. I don’t know if people care about the fluff stuff or the bonuses as much as being able to do great work that they care about in a supportive work environment. For some people, money matters a lot more than it does for others.

By: Chris Ferdinandi

Chris Ferdinandi — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:10:00 +0000

@Ken – True. I think understanding the needs and wants (generally speaking) of your current and future talent is critical though. Like you said, one size won’t fit all, so diversifying a bit is definitely important.