2020 Best Places to Work: Medium Business
Meet the 2020 Best Places to Work Medium Small Business recipients
Photo: Northern Commerce
Brookstone Windows & Doors London
Industry: Home Services
Employees: 58
Year Founded: 2014
www.brookstone.ca
Score:
Overall Engagement: 90%
Dedication: 4.62
Effort: 4.63
Interest: 4.30
Net Promoter: 84
BROOKSTONE WINDOWS & Doors is a family-owned and operated home improvement company providing a complete range of residential window and door products and installation services to homeowners throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Why we think our organization is a great place to work: We know Brookstone is a great place to work. We have an incredible team focused on our significant growth and, most importantly, customer experience. From the field marketing team and sales staff to the president and owner, we have one fundamental rule when it comes to the team: no jerks. We have a very open culture where getting work done is important, but so is having fun and being able to laugh at ourselves.
Examples of implemented actions that make our organization a great place for employees: We are a young, fast-growing company, and the truth is we don’t have robust training programs or structured management programs. We are a passionate bunch with a get-it-done attitude that includes support for every role and for each other. We make sure we celebrate together as well, with an annual holiday party, team days at Canada’s Wonderland and The Factory, and everyone gets their birthday off—paid.
What our employees are saying: “I have been working at Brookstone for the last three years and I have heard many comments about working here. Most people love the importance of what we are doing and the feeling of being directly involved. We are not just a number here—our voices matter and we can make a real difference every day.” —Shannon Rood, Manager, Special Projects
Race Roster
Industry: Technology & Software
Employees: 77
Year Founded: 2012
www.raceroster.com
Score:
Overall Engagement: 90%
Dedication: 4.64
Effort: 4.53
Interest: 4.31
Net Promoter: 81.82
RACE ROSTER, A division of Asics Corporation, is a leading race registration platform helping millions of athletes discover and register for running and endurance events while providing event organizers with a robust CRM tool for tracking participant data, marketing campaigns and event revenue.
Why we think our organization is a great place to work: Race Roster gives employees the autonomy they need to further their career while leading very fulfilling personal lives. This is possible because trust is a key principle in our company culture. We hire people with excellent skills and even better personalities; this ensures that employees are sitting next to someone they enjoy being around. While we set extremely high standards for our staff and our product, we are sure to offer equal empathy and understanding to ensure efforts are sustainable and the environment remains fun. After all, life is short and much of that short life is spent at work.
Examples of implemented actions that make our organization a great place for employees: The Race Roster leadership team doesn’t dictate the culture but provides the support and infrastructure to allow for employee-generated initiatives to come to life. At lunch, you can find employees running, playing tennis, playing euchre, watching documentaries, learning sign language or headed to the market for a bite. We enjoy after-work drinks on paydays, board game socials on weeknights and, of course, attending a local race to volunteer or compete. Another big perk is daily smoothies, and well-stocked kitchens on every floor with healthy snacks.
What our employees are saying: ” My experience working at Race Roster is like no other company I have been a part of. The passion of everyone at the company can be seen in every meeting, interaction and product released. The culture of the Race Roster is more a family than 77 individual employees. As a young professional, I am challenged, mentored and supported every single day.” —Sarah Ledingham, Manager of Customer Succes
Northern Commerce
Industry: Marketing & Advertising
Employees: 75
Year Founded: 2015
www.northern.co
Score:
Overall Engagement: 89%
Dedication: 4.61
Effort: 4.48
Interest: 4.21
Net Promoter: 85.42
NORTHERN COMMERCE IS Canada’s leading ecommerce agency providing full-service digital marketing solutions and enterprise omni-channel ecommerce solutions to retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers worldwide.
Why we think our organization is a great place to work: Innovative projects, a vibrant company culture and the satisfaction of having fun doing something you love is what working at Northern is all about. We work hard creating award-winning digital experiences for our clients, but we take time to celebrate and unwind as a team, too. Together we enjoy weekly catered lunches, team building at company retreats and regularly give back to our community through our corporate philanthropic initiative, NCares.
Examples of implemented actions that make our organization a great place for employees: Northern Commerce has many initiatives that cultivate our extraordinary culture. Our Northern Nods recognition program is a way to express gratitude to teammates for going above and beyond. The Northern Achievement Awards is a celebratory evening recognizing our accomplishments and the deserving employees who helped us get there. We also invest in our team’s personal and professional growth through NTalks discussions, ongoing leadership development and individual career progression planning.
What our employees are saying: “At Northern, we are empowered to make decisions and take full ownership of our projects. We are provided with the resources to continuously learn and are encouraged to challenge ourselves and each other. Our culture fosters an environment where professional, passionate and dedicated employees can thrive together.” —Brooke Bondy, Director of Accounts
Nuts for Cheese
Industry: Food Production
Employees: 20
Year Founded: 2015
www.nutsforcheese.com
Score:
Overall Engagement: 91%
Dedication: 4.68
Effort: 4.50
Interest: 4.41
Net Promoter: 90.91
NUTS FOR CHEESE is a company specializing in the production and distribution of artisanal, organic, dairy-free and vegan cheeses. It’s line of six flavour varieties—Cheddar, Un-Brie-Lievable, Super Blue, Smoky Artichoke and Herb, Red Rind and Black Garlic—are sold in numerous specialty and grocery stores across Canada.
Hyde Park Equipment Ltd.
Industry: Consumer & Commercial Products
Employees: 34
Year Founded: 1972
www.hydeparkequipment.ca
Score:
Overall Engagement: 91%
Dedication: 4.73
Effort: 4.58
Interest: 4.38
Net Promoter: 95
WITH TWO LOCATIONS in London, Hyde Park Equipment carries an extensive line residential and commercial lawn and snow equipment, and retails and services a broad range of equipment for the turf maintenance, snow removal, agricultural and construction sectors.