Workplace
Becoming One of the Best
You just learned the news: You did not make the list ofBest Companies to Work For. Time to set your goal for next year. This surveygives you the local pulse and a feel for what your employees are thinking andwhat your competitors are doing. Best companies tend to have fewer employeecomplaints … and fewer lawsuits….
New Partners in Education
In a weak economy with high unemployment and few jobopenings, some educators are strengthening their relationships with localbusinesses to ensure that graduating students are trained for the jobsavailable. This approach is especially valuable in the engineering industry,where technologies are constantly changing and colleges need to stay current inorder to produce competitive graduates. Don Schultz, director…
The Labor G ap
After a year of working as a receptionist under an abusiveboss at a physical therapy office, Hannah Hurvitz decided to quit and look forsomething better. Unfortunately, the year was 2008, and job opportunities weredisappearing rapidly. She applied for more than 160 receptionist jobs, butreceived only a few interviews and no offers. One thing she knew…
The 100 Best Companies to Work For
This is the year that separates true best companies frompretenders. An economic contraction the country hasnt seen since the GreatDepression has put pressure on all aspects of a business. Layoffs, pay freezesand cuts, benefits pruningall have been the norm during these turbulent times.Many employees are simply thankful to have a job, and are less concerned…
Seattles Consulting Nexus
Related: “Fertile Ground” Back to “Home For Dinner” Point B Founded: 1995Founders: Tim Jenkins (ex-ArthurAndersen), Darran Littlefield, Jim Hodge (both ex-Accenture)Offices: Seattle, Portland,Phoenix, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago, Los AngelesEmployees: 380 (220 in Seattle)2005 Revenues: $40M2009 Revenues: $78MHonors and Awards: OregonBusiness: 100 Best Companies (2010); Consulting Magazine: Best Firms toWork For (2006, 2008), Small Jewels Award…
Fertile Ground
Related: “Seattle’s Consulting Nexus” Back to “Home For Dinner” A cadre of Seattle-basedmanagement consulting firms have landed national recognition for their rapidgrowth and role as industry innovators. In addition to Slalom Consulting,three local firmsPoint B, Revel Consulting and Lenatiwere founded on similartenets, took aim at local markets and figured out how to solve the industrysNo….
Home For Dinner
Tony Rojas took over leadership ofTwo Degrees LLC and its Slalom Consulting subsidiary in part because he wantedto spend more time with his young children. Mike Bailey can teach you how togrow a giant pumpkin, something he does annually with his two preschoolers.Chris Cobb can field dress a deer and owns several pairs of neon…
Washington’s Unemployment Rate Finally Headed Down
In a sign that the economic recovery is gathering steam, Washingtons unemployment rate fell in April for the first time in more than three years as the total number of jobs increased by 5,800, the Employment Security Department announced today. The unemployment rate dropped to 9.2 percent in April, down from 9.5 percent in April….
Is the MBA Going MIA?
According to the University of Washington, the averagesalary for 2009 MBA graduates from its Foster School of Business is $81,000.Unfortunately, a salary only counts if you have an employer to pay it, and thenumber of MBA grads with jobs has been on the decline. In 2008, 84 percent of the MBA students at UW had…
A Pioneering Social Enterprise
Through Pioneer Human Services, Michelle Cruzat, a formerconvict, found meaningful work making cargo liners for Boeing planes. When Michele Cruzat began piecing her life back togetherafter a five-year-long struggle with crystal meth addiction and multiplearrests, she knew she needed a safe place to live and a decent, stable job. But with eight felony convictions and…
Beyond the Downturn
Although were in the midst of an economic recession, weknow well get out of it eventually. Companies that position themselves now forthat upturn will be the ones to take off and grow once the economy turnsaround. So, rather than focusing all your energy and resources on surviving thecurrent crisis, take this opportunity to focus on…