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"Through the results of our employee opinion survey, we have been able to make a specific, targeted effort to improve in the areas that make the greatest positive impact to our employees."
                                   Pete Wong

                                                              VP Human Resources, Phoenix Suns

During the past 20 years, we have analyzed the opinions of more than 100,000 managers and employees around the world and helped their organizations to build a culture where employees love to come to work and customers love to do business.

In this month's edition, we are proud to announce the 2007 winners of the Peter Barron Stark & Associates' Award for Workplace Excellence.  Many awards that claim to measure workplace excellence are based on responses provided by an administrator in a written questionnaire. Our Award for Workplace Excellence is considered especially prestigious as it is solely based on feedback from every employee in the organization.

Organizations who receive this award have administered an employee opinion survey through Peter Barron Stark & Associates and have met one of the following criteria:

1) Exceeding an overall favorable response of at least 80%.
2) Improving their corporate culture by at least eight percent on a consecutive survey within the last two years.
 

Today, we introduce you to the Phoenix Suns. In upcoming issues of The Quest, we'll share "the inside scoop" on other winners and what these organizations do differently to be known as "The Best of the Best" and "Employers of (First) Choice."

During these turbulent economic times, many organizations are concerned that conducting a survey may not be the best use of their resources.  The Best of the Best organizations understand the connection between high levels of employee satisfaction and profitability.  This clearly gives them an advantage in a potentially challenging economy.  In the best of times and the worst of times, these organizations know that their strength lies in the productivity of their employees. And a satisfied, motivated workforce will outperform a mediocre workforce any day.

Strive for excellence, not perfection,

Peter B. Stark and Jane S. Flaherty

Award Winner The Phoenix Suns

We asked Rick Welts, the President and CEO and Peter Wong, the VP of Human Resources to share their insights about the Employee Opinion Survey:

1.  What do you feel are the greatest benefits you and your organization have received by conducting an Employee Opinion Survey?

For senior management, the survey provided great feedback and identified areas management needed to improve upon.  For our employees, the survey and the action plans demonstrated the organization's commitment to make this a great place to work.

2.  How does your organization create an environment where employees go above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done?

At least in part because of the survey, our employees have a clearer understanding of the goals and objectives of the company.  That makes for good decision-making and more confidence as they understand what they can do to move the Suns closer to our goals.  That empowerment encourages employees to go beyond the call of duty to get the job done.

3.  How do you personally contribute to that type of environment?

I'm part cheerleader, part counselor, part conflict resolver.  There's an open door (also an open e-mail inbox) to any employee with an idea or concern for the Suns.  Enthusiasm is contagious and I attempt to share my enthusiasm for what we are doing here with employees on a daily basis. (Rick)

We work hard to create an environment where employees feel "proud" to be a part of it.  We regularly communicate our standards of excellence, our commitment to winning and our commitment to community. (Pete)

4.  What makes you most proud about your organization?

In a competitive, high-profile industry like ours, I'm proud that we take the "high-road" on public matters, we have strong ethical and moral standards and we empower our employees to handle their responsibilities with diligence.

5.  What does winning the Award for Workplace Excellence mean to you and your organization?

Personally, it means a great deal to me and our human resources department.  We worked hard to improve in specific areas and were extremely proud of our improved results and company morale. (Pete)

It's a symbol of what we aspire to be today and into the future. (Rick)

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