2024 Best Places to Work: Large Business
Meet the 2024 Best Places to Work Large Business recipients!
Blue Forest Realty Inc., Brokerage
Industry: Real Estate
Employees: 92
Year Founded: 2014
www.soldbyblue.ca
Score:
Interest: 8.48
Dedication: 8.27
Effort: 8.07
Atmosphere: 8.45
Leadership: 8.45
Net Promoter: 77.27
Blue Forest Realty is a full-service real estate brokerage providing residential and commercial real estate services across Southwestern Ontario.
What makes our business click: Blue Forest began with a simple idea ― to create a great place for great realtors to work together. We work hard to support our “House of Blue,” so our realtors can bring the best real estate experience to all their clients. We sell a lot of real estate, but more than that, we help our clients and staff build great lives.
Why our organization is a great place to work: The core philosophy at Blue is that people need to belong somewhere and feel supported. Our industry can be very awards-focused and competitive. That’s not ideal for many people. We try to focus on building a strong team environment while providing all the tools our realtors need. It may sound corny, but happy people are more productive ― and that also makes for a better place to work.
Here’s something we do a little differently: We have a lot of events! Our monthly office meetings are meetings, but they are also events for our team to hang out with their friends. We have two annual parties for staff and partners ― these help us to get to know everyone’s families as well. Our Secret Santa party in December is the social event of the season at Blue.
What our employees are saying: “I am always supported, heard and encouraged, and I would not be the agent I am today without the help of Blue. The team is also diverse, helpful and not afraid of hard work. Blue Forest is a business with a family feel, something that is missing in today’s world.” ―Craig Durand, Sales Representative
Cognition+
Industry: Technology, Enterprise Software
Employees: 87
Year Founded: 1996
www.gocognition.com
Score:
Interest: 7.57
Dedication: 7.94
Effort: 7.76
Atmosphere: 8.19
Leadership: 8.21
Net Promoter: 54.76
Cognition+ is an insurance technology provider dedicated to empowering North American insurance companies through digital transformation. Cognition+ offers a customizable enterprise insurance management platform, along with on-demand customer support, cybersecurity and consulting services.
What makes our business click: Our success comes from strong leadership, clear communication and a high-performance culture centered around teamwork, empowerment and a never-ending curiosity to innovate and support our clients. Our success is a testament to the value we bring to our clients and recently we’ve experienced significant achievements, including a 15 per cent increase in our customer base, expansion into new markets and introducing cutting-edge innovations like the Cognition+ Cloud.
Why our organization is a great place to work: From our semi-annual employee survey, we know that our culture, people and work-life balance are the top three reasons our people say Cognition+ is a great place to work. We operate as a remote-first employer with a structure that relies on self-directed, cross-functional teams. We prioritize building a high level of trust within our teams and ensuring a clear understanding of priorities.
Here’s something we do a little differently: We’ve partnered with 9toThrive for virtual wellness programs, including workshops, movement sessions and an annual wellness challenge. Our social committee plans regular virtual and in-person events and supports our annual Cognition+ Cares charity campaign. We link attending wellness sessions with fundraising. We offer summer Friday flexibility and reimburse new employees $500 for home office expenses. In 2024, Cognition+ also developed a corporate training program focused on leading and working remotely, linked to our annual bonus program.
What our employees are saying: “It’s rewarding to be a part of a company that genuinely values its employees while staying committed to its mission, making the experience both professionally and personally fulfilling.” ―Akshaya Ramachandran, Software Developer
Cohen Highley LLP
Industry: Law firm
Employees: 140
Year Founded: 1974
www.cohenhighley.com
Score:
Interest: 8.14
Dedication: 8.10
Effort: 8.01
Atmosphere: 8.34
Leadership: 8.342
Net Promoter: 71.23
Cohen Highley LLP is a full-service law firm that provides progressive, practical and effective legal solutions at each of our seven office locations in London, Kitchener, Windsor, Strathroy, Sarnia and Stratford.
What makes our business click: Cohen Highley’s team prides itself on accessibility, innovation and professionalism by holding themselves accountable for the quality of their work on every file and for every client. Each member of our team is committed to meeting the needs of our clients, while acting fairly, firmly and with integrity.
Why our organization is a great place to work: We value and celebrate the individual talents, experiences and perspectives of our colleagues. We hire people with the hope that they will be with us for their entire career. To achieve this, we foster a culture of collegiality, support and respect. We view the law school students we hire as future partners, as many of our partners started with us as students; many members of our support staff have worked with us for over 20 years.
Here’s something we do a little differently: Harris Cohen, founding partner of Cohen Highley, built the firm on the principle that we recognize Cohen Highley as part of a broader community and that we have an opportunity to lead by example to ensure that our communities are strong and vibrant. This year we celebrate our firm’s 50th anniversary, and we still hold true to Harris’ vision.
What our employees are saying: “I have worked at Cohen Highley LLP for over 35 years, I can’t imagine working anywhere else! This firm has been so much more than a place of employment. I have always felt respected, supported and secure at CH. Because of everyone, from the partners to the staff, I cannot think about retiring just yet!” ―Donna McKay-Roefs, Operations Team
LBMX Inc.
Industry: Technology, Enterprise Software
Employees: 112
Year Founded: 2001
www.lbmx.com
Score:
Interest: 7.88
Dedication: 7.98
Effort: 7.85
Atmosphere: 8.10
Leadership: 8.05
Net Promoter: 63.24
LBMX provides software solutions that drive the commercial relationships between suppliers, buying groups and independent business. Using the power of real-time data and employing a unique one-to-many network, LBMX has transformed the procure to pay landscape, including rebates, data connectivity and product information management.
What makes our business click: At LBMX, we believe in independent business, and we want them to be successful. We care about shared prosperity and believe in the power of independent businesses to create sustained economic growth. This belief comes from two decades of helping independent businesses, their suppliers and buying groups create value through technology.
Why our organization is a great place to work: We believe the most important thing we can provide our employees is purpose. Each day, LBMX employees work on projects that help independent businesses thrive. That sense of purpose is something our employees can buy into and is the foundation upon we build our programs. This is supported by our strategy to hire kind, considerate people and support them with generous vacation time, benefits, mentorship and paid maternity/parental leave.
Here’s something we do a little differently: One aspect of LBMX that is unique is the integration of our community involvement, with our hiring programs and our employee recognition efforts. LBMX Place, which is our vehicle for providing support to music, youth sport, education and community initiatives, complements our initiative in co-op student hiring. It also ties to our Community Involvement Award, which recognizes an employee who contributes their personal time back to the community.
What our employees are saying: “LBMX is the perfect blend of high work standards, intentional leadership and an inclusive work culture. It offers the autonomy to excel in your role, while providing strong support when challenges arise. It’s an ideal environment to grow and showcase your skills.” ―Vik Brugger, Implementation Project Manager
Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz Ltd.
Industry: Multi-disciplinary engineering firm
Employees: 120
Year Founded: 2004
www.sbmltd.ca
Score:
Interest: 7.82
Dedication: 7.93
Effort: 7.79
Atmosphere: 8.40
Leadership: 8.03
Net Promoter: 67.12
SBM is a leading planning, surveying, building design and civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering firm. Celebrating our 20th anniversary, we provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary design and consulting services to private and public sector clients throughout Ontario.
What makes our business click: Treating our customers exceptionally well is the key to our success. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their trust and loyalty. Their satisfaction drives everything we do, and our talented team of professionals deliver outstanding service, ensuring long-lasting relationships and mutual growth.
Why our organization is a great place to work: Our company’s core values of drive, humility and balance foster a thriving work environment. Drive motivates us to pursue excellence and innovation, while humility encourages collaboration, learning and respect for diverse perspectives. Balance ensures we prioritize well-being and sustainability, creating a workplace where employees are empowered to succeed both personally and professionally. Together, these values create a supportive, ambitious and harmonious culture.
Here’s something we do a little differently: Community is the heart of our business. Whether through philanthropy, supporting one another or serving our clients, we prioritize building strong, lasting relationships. We believe in giving back, fostering a positive work culture and creating meaningful connections with those we serve. This commitment to community not only enhances our business but also ensures that we contribute to the well-being and success of those around us.
What our employees are saying: “SBM provides not only a wonderful place for career building, but an environment centered around fun. We have very well-rounded social events and equal opportunities offered to all to help us develop and succeed. SBM’s culture is 100 per cent one of growth, fun and learning. You can be unapologetically yourself because our differences here are not only accepted but celebrated.” ―Aya El Mallah, Structural Engineer