Companies with More Than 250 Employees
VIDEO
Winner: Wright Service Corp.
Judges’ Comments: This is an engaging video that
uses good story telling techniques to explain the
company’s ESOP and history. The clever use of
graphics emphasizes key points, provides effective
transitions, and concisely shows the company timeline.
Lots of employee owners appear in this video, and
their genuine enthusiasm for the company culture
is readily apparent.
Runner Up: Air Tractor Inc.
Judges’ Comments: This is an upbeat, engaging
video. A nice variety of employee owners explain in
everyday language how the ESOP benefits them and
the company, offering a clear and credible message.
Showing employee owners in their work environments
offers a glimpse inside the company and makes the
employees easy to relate to. Good use of music and
great group shot at the end.
PRINTED MATERIALS
Winner: Eagle Communications Inc.
Judges’ Comments: This is a comprehensive and
well executed suite of printed materials. The quarterly
newsletter and recruitment pamphlet offer a great deal
of ESOP-specific information. Materials on an ESOP
Ambassador program for new hires are well done.
All employee owners receive a lanyard with the share
price and the phrase: “100% responsibility, 0 excuses.”
Colors are used effectively and consistently.
Runner Up: Travel and Transport Inc.
Judges’ Comments: A concise monthly newsletter
shows an inclusive spirit by featuring lots of submitted
content. Other materials include a good ESOP
101 PowerPoint, desktop calendars featuring photos
of employee owners, slides from the ESOP 2016
roadshow (which were printed and distributed to
employee owners), and a clear performance review
form that focuses on employee ownership skills.
Bright Ideas
Thomson Shore Inc.—The company places Employee
ESOP boards where employee owners can post
and share information.
Burns & McDonnell—Following a communications
strategy that shows print materials are vital for this
firm’s audience, the company distributes newsletters
digitally but also prints and posts them where
employee owners can see them.
INTRANET
Winner: Entertainment Partners
Judges’ Comments: This intranet is a great example
of using technology to spur interaction. The CEO
posts each week—and employee owners can offer
unfiltered responses visible to everyone. Up to 900
users access the intranet every day. Other features include
links to national and chapter ESOP Association information,
including chapter newsletters.
Runner Up: Eagle Communications Inc.
Judges’ Comments: A clean layout and multiple
tabs make it easy to find the comprehensive, easily
digestible information. Content includes access to
ESOP documents, company newsletters going back
several years, ESOP education videos, links to ESOP
Association info, and information on awards the
company has won (including a past AACE award).
Bright Ideas
Butler Till—The company intranet includes selfie
videos in which employee owners talk about what
the ESOP means to them, which is a great technique
for engaging a widespread workforce.
Folience—This intranet features ESOP memes that
employee owners create and submit.
Emery, Sapp and Sons—Information is organized by
life cycle (tabs range from info for those first joining
the ESOP, to those preparing to retire), making it
easy for employee owners to find what they need.
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP MARKETING
Winner: Van Meter Inc.
Judges’ Comments: Photos of employee owners
line the Meet the Owners wall, which greets visitors
when they arrive. Employee ownership is prominently
featured on the company website and careers page,
and appears consistently on a variety of marketing
materials, including fliers and brochures. The company
uses social media to draw attention to articles and
education about employee ownership.
Runner Up: Entertainment Partners
Judges’ Comments: Handouts for potential clients
tout the fact the company is employee owned, as
does the home page of the website. Other pages
give a history of the ESOP, explain what an ESOP is,
and include links to education and articles.
ONE SPECIAL EVENT
Winner: Glatfelter Insurance Group
Judges’ Comments: At a special fundraising event,
employee owners were encouraged to donate .007
percent of their annual salary to the United Way.
The CEO and VP of HR sang songs in a karaoke show
as an incentive. The event raised $224,000—more
than any other United Way drive in the county.
Runner Up: Van Meter Inc.
Judges’ Comments: The company revealed its share
price at an “Academy Awards” like event that included
videos. Well thought-out and executed, the event
ensured that employee owners at multiple locations
could participate at the same time.
SERIES OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Winner: Recology
Judges’ Comments: To celebrate its 30th ESOP
Anniversary, the company created fairs customized
for each of its 27 sites. The fairs offered a combination
of fun and educational activities, arranged by booths.
Employees received passports that were stamped at
every booth they visited. The series of events were
designed to reach 3,000 employees.
Runner Up: Telligen
Judges’ Comments: The company offered a variety
of activities for Employee Ownership Month, including:
a day for fun ESOP facts, employee owner appreciation
day, spouse day, a United Way fundraiser, a benefits fair,
and the Share Price Awakens event.
Bright Ideas
Plastic Products Co. Inc.—The company hosted five
different members of Congress over the year.
TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS
Winner: Burns & McDonnell
Judges’ Comments: A strong overall communications
package was highlighted by an excellent total
benefits compensation document and company
newsletter. To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the
ESOP, the company spent two years planning an
all-day gala for 3,000 employees and their guests.
The event featured live music, dancing, casino and
arcade games, and taxis to take people home.
Runner Up: Entertainment Partners
Judges’ Comments: The company intranet, which
won the AACE this year, provides unfiltered interaction
between the CEO and employee owners. The company
displays employee ownership materials prominently
and publicly, through a variety of channels. At a special
event, Kevin Brady, Chair of the important House Ways
and Means Committee, visited the company
headquarters in California, even though none of the
company offices are in Rep. Brady’s home state of
Texas.