The 12 repeaters endeavor to improve on what they do well and avoid complacency. (Evans Caglage/Staff Photographer)

Six for six

12 companies have made the Top 100 list every year

    And then there were 12.

    We launched our Top 100 Places to Work in 2009 in the midst of a severe economic downturn. There were 243 brave businesses that entered that contest.

    Of the companies that made that first list, a dozen have repeated the accomplishment every year since. That shows remarkable stability and a willingness to constantly improve.

    So how did our six-timers tweak their cultures this year to keep their workers singing verse 6?

    Often it was doing more of the same only better, especially when it comes to internal communication and recognition.

    “We are at the center of health care delivery — helping tens of thousands of pharmaceutical manufacturers and health care providers get medications to patients more effectively and work more efficiently,” says James Frary, president of AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group.

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    “Our associates tell us that they are well-informed about key decisions within our organization and that new ideas are encouraged,” says James Frary, president of AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group. “For me, this demonstrates that we are making strides in aligning all our associates to our vision and mission and living out our company values.”

    As part of a national pediatric patient safety network, Cook Children’s Health Care System instituted an initiative last year called Zero Harm, says Rick Merrill, president and CEO. “The response and commitment from our employees has been nothing short of spectacular. And we’re most proud of the patient safety results.”

    In the last 18 months, Denbury Resources awarded a million bucks to employees whom co-workers wanted to recognize for going the extra mile. And CEO Phil Rykhoek met with every Plano-based employee in small groups of 15 during casual Coffee With Phil meetings.

    As for why Denbury enters year after year, Whitney Shelley, human resources vice president, says the feedback gives the oil and gas company “an invaluable look into the hearts and souls of our employees.”

    Through the survey, Denbury identified several high-performing departments and plans to use their best practices throughout the company, Shelley says.

    Curtis Hite, CEO of Improving Enterprises Inc., says the Top 100 survey pinpointed the need to bring employees’ families into the company fold more — not just at fun events like movie nights and art classes. Its ImprovingU courses, including technology training, CPR and Financial Peace University, are now available to workers and their families.

    Misty Wells scoops a bag of popcorn, a treat every Friday at the American National Bank of Texas branch on Oak Lawn Avenue. (Tom Fox/Staff Photographer)

    Misty Wells scoops a bag of popcorn, a treat every Friday at the American National Bank of Texas branch on Oak Lawn Avenue. (Tom Fox/Staff Photographer)

    Our consistent repeaters continued to adapt using this year’s survey. “We learned fresh content is really appreciated at our sales meetings,” says Tait Cruse, managing partner of Northwestern Mutual-Dallas. “We can’t get complacent. We need to bring up-to-date and effective techniques and inspiration. We also learned we should utilize face-to-face communication whenever possible.”

    Employees at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers told the folks at the top of the food chain that they wanted scheduling flexibility to increase and decrease hours as well as plan around personal life events.

    “While this wasn’t the first time we’ve heard this in the survey, it was clear that it was time to address it,” says Todd Graves, founder and CEO. “We rolled out a cloud-based labor workforce management solution which allows hourly crew members to check their schedule, swap shifts and much more any time of the day via phone, Internet or mobile application.”

    Brint Ryan, chairman and CEO of Ryan LLC, admits that the global tax services firm was lax in handing out pats on the backs. “Our company is comprised of mostly Type A personalities — smart, hard-charging, never-take-no-for-an-answer professionals,” he says. “We’re a lot better at pointing out mistakes than we are at complimenting and thanking each other.”

    He reluctantly OK’d a recognition tool that looks and acts a lot like a social media site. He says his worries were misplaced.

    “People can give anyone in the firm a recognition. It ties to a news feed for everyone to see, and you can ‘like’ and ‘boost’ it,” he says. “I have been amazed at the traffic. Within four months of it being implemented, over 3,000 recognitions were given. This compares to a whopping 15 given during the four months prior with our old tool.”

    What he’s learned: “When you see it, say it. You can almost feel the extra energy ‘RyanPride’ is pumping into our environment — worldwide. And I’ve become pretty handy at giving out recognitions using my smartphone.”

    Dynamic dozen

    These 12 companies have made the Top 100 every year since the beginning.

    American National Bank of Texas

    AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group

    Cook Children’s Health Care System

    Denbury Resources

    Improving Enterprises

    Interstate Batteries

    L-3 Mustang

    Northwestern Mutual-Dallas

    Pioneer Natural Resources

    Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

    Ryan

    Whitley Penn

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