Do You Consider Yourself a Top Employer?

Also published in BBoT's Trade Talks, January 2010
© Cassandra Baccardax

Canada's Top 100 Employers project is a national competition to determine which employers lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. Now in its 10th year, Canada's Top 100 Employers recognizes Canada's best places to work. The project aims to identify companies that lead their industries in attracting and retaining employees.
While the 26,000 companies that compete typically are medium to large businesses, small businesses can use the competition’s scoring system to benchmark their own desirability. After all, even if you employ just yourself, don’t you want to love where you work?
To make it onto Canada's Top 100 Employers list, each winner is judged in eight key areas: 1) physical workplace; 2) work atmosphere and social; 3) health, financial and family benefits; 4) vacation and time off; 5) employee communications; 6) performance management; 7) training and skills development and (8) community involvement.[i]
How does your business score?
1. Workspace: Organized, functional & inspiring; or chaotic and miserable?
2. Culture: It’s yours to create in any way you want, so there are no excuses for top marks here! Liken culture to personality; what traits do you wish your business to possess?
3. Benefits: Can you afford to offer yourself health benefits? Do you contribute to RRSPs? These crucial items should be part of your 2010 budget if not already established.
4. Vacation: it’s no secret that business owners work longer hours than the average employee; but occasional down time is needed to maintain long-term commitment. Speak to a business or personal coach if you don’t permit yourself regular vacation.
5. Internal Communications: This should be easy if there are only a few other employees…but communication is a skill that requires good tools and constant personal development. Take a brush-up workshop.
6. Performance Management: Who is coaching the best performance out of you? Most of us can’t mentor ourselves. Join a mastermind group or hire a coach.
7. Professional Development: Do you schedule and budget for your own professional development? Workshops, seminars, college courses, association conferences, or just a good reading list should be part of your annual work plan.
8. Community Involvement: Good corporate citizenship isn’t just for large corporations. Become involved in your community in a small way. Not only does it build your network, it makes you feel good.
[i] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/business-incubator/canadas-best-places-to-work/article1318086/ Globe & Mail, Fri. Oct 9/09
& http://www.CanadasTop100.com/national and http://www.Eluta.ca.