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Online Extra: More great companies
Because we loved them all so much, we added these organizations to our Hall of Fame
Compiled by Tori Richards
Click to go back to the OC's Best Companies to Work For feature story...
Narrowing down our list of Best Companies To Work For was quite a feat. Because we loved them all so much, we added these organizations to Hall of Fame, Helping Hands, Off-beat and Almost Picked lists.
HALL OF FAME
Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Headquarters: Orange
CEO: Kimberly Chavalas Cripe
Web site: choc.org
Number of employees: 2,400
Product/service: Hospital
Best benefit: The center cares about employee perception and pays for career training.
CHOC is a strong company, so it’s unlikely you’d be faced with that dreaded pink slip. The number of employees has increased 30 percent since 2004 – an indication of the company’s growth and position as a strong employer.
To gauge employees’ feelings about the work environment, the hospital conducts annual employee surveys and does extensive employee interviews. Staff can work flexible hours, as needed. A culture of appreciation is fostered by the “kudos” pins given for a job well done.
If employees want to continue their education or advance a career, CHOC offers Internet courses and onsite certification classes. Management workshops also are available.
The hospital is continuously upgrading and expanding its facility with the latest technology and the highest caliber of employees. Recent additions include a new Pediatric and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and a renovated Ambulatory Care Center. Having the tools to do a great job makes for a lot less workplace stress.
RBF Consulting
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Bob Kallenbaugh, Jim McDonald
Web site: rbf.com
Number of employees: 410 in Orange County;
917 nationwide
Product/service: Engineering, planning and surveying consultants
Best benefit: This is a pretty lucrative place to work, with tons of extras.
In today’s work environment, having health insurance without paying for it is a luxury. RBF is one of the rare places that pays 100 percent of employee premiums for medical, dental and vision care.
Upon hire, employees are given an extended illness bank that provides 100 percent salary continuation during times of short-term disability, to help bridge the gap before insurance premiums kick in.
Other perks go above and beyond the standard. These include paid membership in at least one professional organization; discount memberships to Costco and 24 Hour Fitness health club; discounted tickets to movie theaters and theme parks; and free season tickets to sporting events.
On the financial side, employees get bonuses for longevity of service, cash incentives for ridesharing, full-tuition reimbursement and no-interest computer loans. Each year, employees are surveyed to provide input on personnel policies and other benefits that may need to be added.
Mission Hospital
Headquarters: Mission Viejo
CEO: Peter F. Bastone
Web site: mission4health.com
Number of employees: 2,297
Product/service: Hospital
Best benefit: Employees have a lot of time off and a great work schedule.
Hospitals have the reputation of long hours and little time off. But it’s not so with Mission Hospital, which gives employees 25 days of paid time, starting the first year of full-time work. This can increase to 40 days over the years. Mission also offers flexible hours and shifts with extra pay, for those who work overnight hours.
Because this is a hospital, employees get great health benefits – no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. A 401(a) pension program is fully funded, and when it’s time for a pay raise, Mission awards increases up to 8 percent.
Education is very important to the management at Mission. The hospital offers an onsite bachelor’s degree program through Cal State Fullerton, with up to $5,000 reimbursement for nurses seeking a higher degree. Students who are working part time are given health benefits and pay for study hours when obtaining a degree or license for certain patient-care positions.
Silverado Senior Living
Headquarters: San Juan Capistrano
CEO: Loren B. Shook
Web site: silveradosenior.com
Number of employees: 2,000
Product/service: Senior assisted-living community
Best benefit: Children and pets are welcome at work.
Compared to the higher-quality competitors, this company attempts to pay at the 75th percentile or higher. Its turnover rate is far better than the national average.
Staff members with children can save even more money, because they don’t need outside child care support. Silverado allows children at work and feeds them for free. Some school buses have Silverado on their routes, dropping the children off after school.
Pets can come to work, and the company provides pet insurance, as well. These unusual benefits also help the elderly residents, who enjoy interacting with the children and animals.
Silverado places a high premium on education and employs a chief learning officer to manage its numerous programs. Examples include supervisory training, new-hire orientation, mentoring, administrator-in-training and Leadership Development Forum (similar to an MBA class).
Feeling appreciated is vital to job satisfaction, so Silverado nominates employees for national nursing award programs and has an annual awards program of its own.
McCarthy Building Companies
Headquarters: St. Louis, Mo.
CEO: Michael D. Bolen
Web site: mccarthy.com
Number of employees: 700 in Orange County, 3,073 nationwide
Product/service: Commercial builder
Best benefit: As part owner of the company, employees see a cash dividend for doing a great job.
This is a 100 percent employee-owned business that is among the nation’s oldest and largest privately held construction firms. Usually, companies make profits that go to a couple of owners at the end of the year, but at McCarthy, a large portion of the yearly profits is awarded as bonuses and company stock.
All employees share in the success of the company. In fact, the current CEO joined McCarthy as a carpenter. As company owners, each employee receives an annual business plan with complete financial details. Biannual meetings are held, where company performance is openly discussed, and there is an open-door policy with top company executives.
Construction is a dangerous job, and McCarthy monitors projects closely, including those of subcontractors. This has resulted in the top safety ranking last year by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The company works toward making the community better by supporting dozens of charities and recycling – both in the office and on job sites.
Grant Thornton LLP
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Ed Nusbaum
Web site: grantthornton.com
Number of employees: 136 in Orange County; more than 6,000 nationwide
Product/service: Accounting services
Best benefit: Employees receive extensive special training and networking opportunities.
This company has been nationally recognized as a great place for women to work. Since 2004, the number of female partners has grown by 138 percent. Females comprise 47 percent of the workforce and can join special networking and training programs just for women.
Charity also is a big part of Grant Thornton. Some of the employees serve on the boards of charitable organizations. They support United Way, Pacific Symphony, Boys and Girls Club, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters, among others. And employees can nominate a new charity every month for one of its special programs.
On a more personal level, the firm is dedicated to keeping its staff healthy. It has a running club, and this year’s San Diego marathon included 230 entrants from Grant Thornton, with all costs paid by the company.
Other innovative health perks include a program that offers free online and phone consultations with registered nurses, dieticians, personal trainers and maternity nurses for prenatal care.
Blizzard Entertainment
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Mike Morhaime
Web site: blizzard.com
Number of employees: more than 1,200 in Irvine; 2,000 worldwide
Product/service: Computer game developer and manufacturer
Best benefit: Cool amenities such as a company museum, theater, gym and volleyball courts make employees feel right at home.
The electronic gaming industry is booming, and with no end in sight, Blizzard is one of the world’s biggest contributors to the trend. Employees are proud to know their work is enjoyed by millions of people around the globe. Titles such as “Warcraft,” “Diablo” and “The Burning Crusade” have shattered PC-game sales records.
At the 240,000-square-foot enclosed campus, employees enjoy a subsidized cafeteria, company museum, a theater, gym, basketball and volleyball courts, and 24-hour security. If that isn’t enough, they also get onsite laundry and carwash services, low-cost yoga classes, car-pool incentives and free copies of games, including those that have yet to be released.
The dress code is casual, which is in line with the low-key management approach. The company was founded by a group of friends who loved to play computer games. Now, it attracts the most talented game enthusiasts in the world who have the ability to work their way into management.
Motorcycle Industry Council
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Tim Buche
Web site: mic.org
Number of employees: 94
Product/service: Not-for-profit national trade association representing the power-sports industry
Best benefit: Power-sports loving employees can surround themselves in this culture and receive freebies related to their particular sport.
Motorcycle enthusiasts who work here will feel like they died and went to heaven. Just think – getting paid to work somewhere that gives you free maintenance on your bike, discounts on parts and accessories, and free motorcycle and ATV training. Then, you get 16 paid days off and a dozen holidays per year to start with. But it gets better.
Employees are power-sports enthusiasts who love the idea of working on research, governmental relations and educational projects for their sports. They also are big on supporting charities.
Camaraderie is a big part of motorcycling, and at work, as well. The organization celebrates employees’ birthdays, sponsors staff contests and has frequent parties. These include management-cooked barbecues and breakfasts, pizza lunches, pie days and sometimes, an onsite chef.
Keeping the staff healthy is important, so MIC offers a health-club discount, free onsite flu shots and an annual health fair, with a variety of screenings and tests.
HELPING HANDS
St. John Knits
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Glenn McMahon
Web site: stjohnknits.com
Number of employees: 2,400 in Orange County; 4,000 worldwide
Product/service: Luxury women’s apparel
Best benefit: Employees receive generous clothing discounts and attend frequent company parties.
The name St. John Knits usually conjures images of glamorous and powerful women who wear the collections – Angelina Jolie, Michelle Obama and Gloria Allred, to name a few. But, there is more to the company than just high-quality clothes worn by chic and on-trend women. Founded in 1962 by Robert and Marie Gray, this company has many different sides that make it a marvelous place to work.
It has a philanthropic side that is shared by the employees who view themselves as not just residents of Orange County, but members of the community. They focus on charities promoting the empowerment of women and the aid of children.
Charities include Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Dress For Success clothing program for indigent women, the Youth Employment Services of Costa Mesa and the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
But that’s not all – the company offers a variety of perks for employees, such as tuition reimbursement, backup child and elder care, vanpool programs and a dry-cleaning service.
O’Melveny & Myers
Headquarters: Newport Beach
CEO: A.B. Culvahouse
Web site: omm.com
Number of employees: 145 in Newport Beach; 2,300 worldwide
Product/service: Law firm
Best benefit: The firm has new-associate and mid-level mentoring programs, and anonymous partner reviews.
If you are a lawyer and want to help the less fortunate, there’s no better firm than O’Melveny & Myers. Lots of places offer pro bono work, but get this: O’Melveny makes it financially worthwhile by providing full billable credit for all work, with no limit on the number of hours.
Recently, O’Melveny won a case against a slumlord, filed on behalf of low-income tenants. The verdict was $575,000, equivalent to more than 10 year’s worth of rent.
The firm also supports United Way, raising money in a fun way by hosting poker tournaments. And Fridays are jeans days – employees can wear jeans for a donation. Last fall, O’Melveny raised $75,959 and paid for the administrative fees. All the money went to the charity.
Lastly, O’Melveny has been at the forefront in helping to bring a law school to UC Irvine. It will open in 2009 and be California’s first public law school to open in more than 40 years.
WunderMarx PR
Headquarters: Tustin
CEO: Cara Good
Web site: wundermarx.com
Number of employees: 12
Product/service: Public relations
Best benefit: A flexible workplace. The firm does not micromanage its employees. Staff members work flexible hours and can play music in their offices.
One of the top 15 public relations companies in Orange County also is one of the most charitable. “Be Wunderful” is a philosophy woven into the everyday management of WunderMarx. The company has an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoys using its skills to help others.
Since it was founded in 2002, the agency has been committed to donating at least 10 percent of its professional time to beneficial causes, including Laura’s House domestic violence shelter, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Sumba Foundation to aid the people of Sumba, Indonesia, and the homeless shelter, Mercy House.
This year, the agency received a certification from 10% Solution, an international organization supporting global change. This is due to meeting rigid standards in three key giving areas: volunteering, philanthropy and a commitment to green sustainability.
WunderMarx purchases renewable energy credits and goes digital whenever possible (including receiving fax transmissions through computers).
Wachovia
Headquarters: Charlotte, N.C.
CEO: G. Kennedy Thompson
Web site: wachovia.com
Number of employees: 1,832 in Orange County; 120,000 nationwide
Product/service: Financial services
Best benefit: It’s very family-friendly. Where else can you get 10 days off to care for family members?
If you’re looking to volunteer in your community and just can’t find the time with your busy work schedule, you might just consider Wachovia, because the company will pay you to do it.
All employees are offered four paid hours a month to volunteer at a charity of their choice. Matching grants up to $4,000 a year are given to employees who donate to those charities. Wachovia also has networks set up to aid people in the volunteering process.
The company believes in making life easier for its employees by providing a host of paid benefits: onsite child care in some cities, time off when adopting a child, a mother’s nursing room, a grant for financial hardship, and a work schedule that’s flexible and allows for telecommuting.
Numerous organizations and publications have listed Wachovia on their “best” lists, including Companies for Diversity, Military Spouse Friendly, Place to Launch a Career and Enterprise Success.
OFF-BEAT
Medieval Times
Headquarters: Irving, Texas
CEO: Kenneth Kim
Web site: medievaltimes.com
Number of employees: 287 in Orange County; 2,500 nationwide
Product/service: Dinner theater
Best benefit: The company offers opportunities for advancement and has great employee camaraderie.
Tired of the same, old, boring job? The Buena Park castle-themed dinner theater is a place where people have spent their entire working careers – the general manager started off in the marketing department 17 years ago.
Jobs range from food servers, to ticket sellers, to actors, to horse handlers. Nightly shows are performed by jousting knights on horseback as guests enjoy dinner. But like any venue, don’t expect to walk in the door and get hired for the top spot of knight. You need to first become a squire (a non-speaking minor role), and then work your way up.
Fun perks include visiting the horses, Museum of Torture, Hall of Arms or having a drink in the Knight Club. Employees can enjoy meals in the facility’s kitchen, which can serve more than 3,000 people a day.
ALMOST PICKED
Decision Toolbox
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Kim Shepherd
Web site: dtoolbox.com
Number of employees: 45
Product/service: Recruitment process outsourcing company
Best benefit: Employees work at home and set their own schedule. One employee even lives in New Zealand.
In an era of company downsizing and job insecurity, one place stands out. Decision Toolbox has grown 50 percent per year over the past three years, and is now a multimillion-dollar company.
Decision Toolbox believes in giving staff the money, tools and training to make their jobs a success. The management views itself as a support to the staff, not the other way around.
This is a 100 percent virtual company, where everyone works from a home office. By building a culture where employees are trusted, empowered and honored, managers discovered that the staff became more productive and fulfilled. Therefore, only employees who require no supervision are hired.
The recruiters who work full time find the business very lucrative. Others are part-timers. It’s up to the individual to decide how much he or she would like to work, and with what schedule. The turnover rate is very low. Employees say there is no reason for them to work anywhere else.
SeaCliff Beauty Packaging & Laboratories
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Scott Simon
Web site: seacliffbeauty.com
Number of employees: 14
Product/service: Beauty product manufacturing and packaging
Best benefit: It’s a small, family-like atmosphere, where employees can learn all about the business and work flexible hours.
Orange County is home to a one-of-a-kind cosmetic and beauty product company that takes products from concept to market. Who would’ve guessed? The company started nine years ago, with working mom Vonda Simon and two employees. Now, it’s grown to include clients who are some of the nation’s biggest: Dermalogica, Bare Escentuals and Allergan.
Simon is passionate about her work and likes to share her enthusiasm with her employees. New hires work in customer service, so they can learn about the business and then can be promoted to sales. In that position, they earn a commission 50 percent above industry standards and can build their own businesses within SeaCliff.
Last year, SeaCliff moved to its current headquarters with a state-of-the-art lab, a showroom and 6,000 square feet of space, giving each employee his or her own office. The facility also has a fully stocked kitchen, bathroom with showers and a children’s room for child care.
Dynamic Concepts Inc.
Headquarters: Aliso Viejo
CEO: Douglas Chadwick
Web site: dynamic.com
Number of employees: fewer than 25
Product/service: Full-service information technology provider of Internet-enabled products
Best benefit: You don’t have to leave Fido at home – it’s a dog-friendly workplace.
You’d be hard-pressed to land a job that also will welcome your pooch, but that’s what Dynamic Concepts is all about. Dealing with Internet technology can be demanding, and the company has found that including dogs in the workplace is a good way to de-stress.
In fact, the management likens its dog philosophy to the way it treats its customers – with unconditional loyalty and a friendly demeanor at all times. So, if you understand your dog, chances are, you’ll make a great employee here.
This is a place that has a stellar reputation in the information-technology industry, and employees are seasoned professionals who get to work with famous clients. Beyond that, it has a casual family-like atmosphere, with no dress code, no micromanagement, frequent company parties and generous benefits.
Dynamic Concepts boasts one of the most beautiful office spaces in the county, with a 10-foot waterfall, lots of plants, soft lighting and a cubicle-free environment.
The Buddy Group
Headquarters: Irvine
CEO: Pete Deutschman
Web site: thebuddygroup.com
Number of employees: 55
Product/service: Digital creative agency
Best benefit: Employees can work with a great group of friends – it hardly feels like work at all.
This is a really, really cool place to work. It’s a Web, digital design and video-development house, and employees are usually pretty laid back and fun. But this environment takes them to a whole new level.
The name Buddy Group comes from the philosophy that two minds are better than one, so the company promotes teamwork both at work and outside of work.
Employees have more scheduled group social events than many of us attend in our own personal lives. The company has a kickball team, basketball breaks, days at the races, car rallies, scavenger hunts, barbecues and murder mystery parties.
The company’s interior is a camping theme with bunk beds that have been converted into desks and a faux fire pit. And the conference room is called the “nuthouse.”
Even more impressive than the fun environment is The Buddy Group’s portfolio of work, resulting in 13 Addy (advertisement industry) awards. They’ve done online advertising for the movie “March of the Penguins” and have clients such as Kodak, NBC Universal and YouTube.
Tori Richards, a freelance writer based in Huntington Beach, is a frequent contributor to OC METRO BUSINESS magazine.
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Click to go back to the OC's Best Companies to Work For feature story... Narrowing down our list of Best Companies To Work For was quite a feat. Because we loved them all so much, we added these organizations to Hall of Fame, Helping Hands, Off-beat and Almost Picked lists. HALL OF FAMEChildren’s Hospital of Orange County Headquarters: Orange CEO: Kimberly Chavalas Cripe Web site: choc.org Number of employees: 2,400 Product/service: Hospital Best benefit: The center cares about employee perception and pays for career training. CHOC is a strong company, so it’s unlikely you’d be faced with that dreaded pink slip. The number of employees has increased 30 percent since 2004 – an indication of the company’s growth and position as a strong employer. To gauge employees’ feelings about the work environment, the hospital conducts annual employee surveys and does extensive employee interviews. Staff can work flexible hours, as needed. A culture of appreciation is fostered by the “kudos” pins given for a job well done. If employees want to continue their education or advance a career, CHOC offers Internet courses and onsite certification classes. Management workshops also are available. The hospital is continuously upgrading and expanding its facility with the latest technology and the highest caliber of employees. Recent additions include a new Pediatric and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and a renovated Ambulatory Care Center. Having the tools to do a great job makes for a lot less workplace stress. RBF Consulting Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Bob Kallenbaugh, Jim McDonald Web site: rbf.com Number of employees: 410 in Orange County; 917 nationwide Product/service: Engineering, planning and surveying consultants Best benefit: This is a pretty lucrative place to work, with tons of extras. In today’s work environment, having health insurance without paying for it is a luxury. RBF is one of the rare places that pays 100 percent of employee premiums for medical, dental and vision care. Upon hire, employees are given an extended illness bank that provides 100 percent salary continuation during times of short-term disability, to help bridge the gap before insurance premiums kick in. Other perks go above and beyond the standard. These include paid membership in at least one professional organization; discount memberships to Costco and 24 Hour Fitness health club; discounted tickets to movie theaters and theme parks; and free season tickets to sporting events. On the financial side, employees get bonuses for longevity of service, cash incentives for ridesharing, full-tuition reimbursement and no-interest computer loans. Each year, employees are surveyed to provide input on personnel policies and other benefits that may need to be added. Mission Hospital Headquarters: Mission Viejo CEO: Peter F. Bastone Web site: mission4health.com Number of employees: 2,297 Product/service: Hospital Best benefit: Employees have a lot of time off and a great work schedule. Hospitals have the reputation of long hours and little time off. But it’s not so with Mission Hospital, which gives employees 25 days of paid time, starting the first year of full-time work. This can increase to 40 days over the years. Mission also offers flexible hours and shifts with extra pay, for those who work overnight hours. Because this is a hospital, employees get great health benefits – no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. A 401(a) pension program is fully funded, and when it’s time for a pay raise, Mission awards increases up to 8 percent. Education is very important to the management at Mission. The hospital offers an onsite bachelor’s degree program through Cal State Fullerton, with up to $5,000 reimbursement for nurses seeking a higher degree. Students who are working part time are given health benefits and pay for study hours when obtaining a degree or license for certain patient-care positions. Silverado Senior Living Headquarters: San Juan Capistrano CEO: Loren B. Shook Web site: silveradosenior.com Number of employees: 2,000 Product/service: Senior assisted-living community Best benefit: Children and pets are welcome at work. Compared to the higher-quality competitors, this company attempts to pay at the 75th percentile or higher. Its turnover rate is far better than the national average. Staff members with children can save even more money, because they don’t need outside child care support. Silverado allows children at work and feeds them for free. Some school buses have Silverado on their routes, dropping the children off after school. Pets can come to work, and the company provides pet insurance, as well. These unusual benefits also help the elderly residents, who enjoy interacting with the children and animals. Silverado places a high premium on education and employs a chief learning officer to manage its numerous programs. Examples include supervisory training, new-hire orientation, mentoring, administrator-in-training and Leadership Development Forum (similar to an MBA class). Feeling appreciated is vital to job satisfaction, so Silverado nominates employees for national nursing award programs and has an annual awards program of its own. McCarthy Building Companies Headquarters: St. Louis, Mo. CEO: Michael D. Bolen Web site: mccarthy.com Number of employees: 700 in Orange County, 3,073 nationwide Product/service: Commercial builder Best benefit: As part owner of the company, employees see a cash dividend for doing a great job. This is a 100 percent employee-owned business that is among the nation’s oldest and largest privately held construction firms. Usually, companies make profits that go to a couple of owners at the end of the year, but at McCarthy, a large portion of the yearly profits is awarded as bonuses and company stock. All employees share in the success of the company. In fact, the current CEO joined McCarthy as a carpenter. As company owners, each employee receives an annual business plan with complete financial details. Biannual meetings are held, where company performance is openly discussed, and there is an open-door policy with top company executives. Construction is a dangerous job, and McCarthy monitors projects closely, including those of subcontractors. This has resulted in the top safety ranking last year by the Associated General Contractors of America. The company works toward making the community better by supporting dozens of charities and recycling – both in the office and on job sites. Grant Thornton LLP Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Ed Nusbaum Web site: grantthornton.com Number of employees: 136 in Orange County; more than 6,000 nationwide Product/service: Accounting services Best benefit: Employees receive extensive special training and networking opportunities. This company has been nationally recognized as a great place for women to work. Since 2004, the number of female partners has grown by 138 percent. Females comprise 47 percent of the workforce and can join special networking and training programs just for women. Charity also is a big part of Grant Thornton. Some of the employees serve on the boards of charitable organizations. They support United Way, Pacific Symphony, Boys and Girls Club, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters, among others. And employees can nominate a new charity every month for one of its special programs. On a more personal level, the firm is dedicated to keeping its staff healthy. It has a running club, and this year’s San Diego marathon included 230 entrants from Grant Thornton, with all costs paid by the company. Other innovative health perks include a program that offers free online and phone consultations with registered nurses, dieticians, personal trainers and maternity nurses for prenatal care. Blizzard Entertainment Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Mike Morhaime Web site: blizzard.com Number of employees: more than 1,200 in Irvine; 2,000 worldwide Product/service: Computer game developer and manufacturer Best benefit: Cool amenities such as a company museum, theater, gym and volleyball courts make employees feel right at home. The electronic gaming industry is booming, and with no end in sight, Blizzard is one of the world’s biggest contributors to the trend. Employees are proud to know their work is enjoyed by millions of people around the globe. Titles such as “Warcraft,” “Diablo” and “The Burning Crusade” have shattered PC-game sales records. At the 240,000-square-foot enclosed campus, employees enjoy a subsidized cafeteria, company museum, a theater, gym, basketball and volleyball courts, and 24-hour security. If that isn’t enough, they also get onsite laundry and carwash services, low-cost yoga classes, car-pool incentives and free copies of games, including those that have yet to be released. The dress code is casual, which is in line with the low-key management approach. The company was founded by a group of friends who loved to play computer games. Now, it attracts the most talented game enthusiasts in the world who have the ability to work their way into management. Motorcycle Industry Council Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Tim Buche Web site: mic.org Number of employees: 94 Product/service: Not-for-profit national trade association representing the power-sports industry Best benefit: Power-sports loving employees can surround themselves in this culture and receive freebies related to their particular sport. Motorcycle enthusiasts who work here will feel like they died and went to heaven. Just think – getting paid to work somewhere that gives you free maintenance on your bike, discounts on parts and accessories, and free motorcycle and ATV training. Then, you get 16 paid days off and a dozen holidays per year to start with. But it gets better. Employees are power-sports enthusiasts who love the idea of working on research, governmental relations and educational projects for their sports. They also are big on supporting charities. Camaraderie is a big part of motorcycling, and at work, as well. The organization celebrates employees’ birthdays, sponsors staff contests and has frequent parties. These include management-cooked barbecues and breakfasts, pizza lunches, pie days and sometimes, an onsite chef. Keeping the staff healthy is important, so MIC offers a health-club discount, free onsite flu shots and an annual health fair, with a variety of screenings and tests. HELPING HANDSSt. John Knits Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Glenn McMahon Web site: stjohnknits.com Number of employees: 2,400 in Orange County; 4,000 worldwide Product/service: Luxury women’s apparel Best benefit: Employees receive generous clothing discounts and attend frequent company parties. The name St. John Knits usually conjures images of glamorous and powerful women who wear the collections – Angelina Jolie, Michelle Obama and Gloria Allred, to name a few. But, there is more to the company than just high-quality clothes worn by chic and on-trend women. Founded in 1962 by Robert and Marie Gray, this company has many different sides that make it a marvelous place to work. It has a philanthropic side that is shared by the employees who view themselves as not just residents of Orange County, but members of the community. They focus on charities promoting the empowerment of women and the aid of children. Charities include Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Dress For Success clothing program for indigent women, the Youth Employment Services of Costa Mesa and the Orangewood Children’s Foundation. But that’s not all – the company offers a variety of perks for employees, such as tuition reimbursement, backup child and elder care, vanpool programs and a dry-cleaning service. O’Melveny & Myers Headquarters: Newport Beach CEO: A.B. Culvahouse Web site: omm.com Number of employees: 145 in Newport Beach; 2,300 worldwide Product/service: Law firm Best benefit: The firm has new-associate and mid-level mentoring programs, and anonymous partner reviews. If you are a lawyer and want to help the less fortunate, there’s no better firm than O’Melveny & Myers. Lots of places offer pro bono work, but get this: O’Melveny makes it financially worthwhile by providing full billable credit for all work, with no limit on the number of hours. Recently, O’Melveny won a case against a slumlord, filed on behalf of low-income tenants. The verdict was $575,000, equivalent to more than 10 year’s worth of rent. The firm also supports United Way, raising money in a fun way by hosting poker tournaments. And Fridays are jeans days – employees can wear jeans for a donation. Last fall, O’Melveny raised $75,959 and paid for the administrative fees. All the money went to the charity. Lastly, O’Melveny has been at the forefront in helping to bring a law school to UC Irvine. It will open in 2009 and be California’s first public law school to open in more than 40 years. WunderMarx PR Headquarters: Tustin CEO: Cara Good Web site: wundermarx.com Number of employees: 12 Product/service: Public relations Best benefit: A flexible workplace. The firm does not micromanage its employees. Staff members work flexible hours and can play music in their offices. One of the top 15 public relations companies in Orange County also is one of the most charitable. “Be Wunderful” is a philosophy woven into the everyday management of WunderMarx. The company has an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoys using its skills to help others. Since it was founded in 2002, the agency has been committed to donating at least 10 percent of its professional time to beneficial causes, including Laura’s House domestic violence shelter, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Sumba Foundation to aid the people of Sumba, Indonesia, and the homeless shelter, Mercy House. This year, the agency received a certification from 10% Solution, an international organization supporting global change. This is due to meeting rigid standards in three key giving areas: volunteering, philanthropy and a commitment to green sustainability. WunderMarx purchases renewable energy credits and goes digital whenever possible (including receiving fax transmissions through computers). Wachovia Headquarters: Charlotte, N.C. CEO: G. Kennedy Thompson Web site: wachovia.com Number of employees: 1,832 in Orange County; 120,000 nationwide Product/service: Financial services Best benefit: It’s very family-friendly. Where else can you get 10 days off to care for family members? If you’re looking to volunteer in your community and just can’t find the time with your busy work schedule, you might just consider Wachovia, because the company will pay you to do it. All employees are offered four paid hours a month to volunteer at a charity of their choice. Matching grants up to $4,000 a year are given to employees who donate to those charities. Wachovia also has networks set up to aid people in the volunteering process. The company believes in making life easier for its employees by providing a host of paid benefits: onsite child care in some cities, time off when adopting a child, a mother’s nursing room, a grant for financial hardship, and a work schedule that’s flexible and allows for telecommuting. Numerous organizations and publications have listed Wachovia on their “best” lists, including Companies for Diversity, Military Spouse Friendly, Place to Launch a Career and Enterprise Success. OFF-BEATMedieval Times Headquarters: Irving, Texas CEO: Kenneth Kim Web site: medievaltimes.com Number of employees: 287 in Orange County; 2,500 nationwide Product/service: Dinner theater Best benefit: The company offers opportunities for advancement and has great employee camaraderie. Tired of the same, old, boring job? The Buena Park castle-themed dinner theater is a place where people have spent their entire working careers – the general manager started off in the marketing department 17 years ago. Jobs range from food servers, to ticket sellers, to actors, to horse handlers. Nightly shows are performed by jousting knights on horseback as guests enjoy dinner. But like any venue, don’t expect to walk in the door and get hired for the top spot of knight. You need to first become a squire (a non-speaking minor role), and then work your way up. Fun perks include visiting the horses, Museum of Torture, Hall of Arms or having a drink in the Knight Club. Employees can enjoy meals in the facility’s kitchen, which can serve more than 3,000 people a day. ALMOST PICKEDDecision Toolbox Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Kim Shepherd Web site: dtoolbox.com Number of employees: 45 Product/service: Recruitment process outsourcing company Best benefit: Employees work at home and set their own schedule. One employee even lives in New Zealand. In an era of company downsizing and job insecurity, one place stands out. Decision Toolbox has grown 50 percent per year over the past three years, and is now a multimillion-dollar company. Decision Toolbox believes in giving staff the money, tools and training to make their jobs a success. The management views itself as a support to the staff, not the other way around. This is a 100 percent virtual company, where everyone works from a home office. By building a culture where employees are trusted, empowered and honored, managers discovered that the staff became more productive and fulfilled. Therefore, only employees who require no supervision are hired. The recruiters who work full time find the business very lucrative. Others are part-timers. It’s up to the individual to decide how much he or she would like to work, and with what schedule. The turnover rate is very low. Employees say there is no reason for them to work anywhere else. SeaCliff Beauty Packaging & Laboratories Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Scott Simon Web site: seacliffbeauty.com Number of employees: 14 Product/service: Beauty product manufacturing and packaging Best benefit: It’s a small, family-like atmosphere, where employees can learn all about the business and work flexible hours. Orange County is home to a one-of-a-kind cosmetic and beauty product company that takes products from concept to market. Who would’ve guessed? The company started nine years ago, with working mom Vonda Simon and two employees. Now, it’s grown to include clients who are some of the nation’s biggest: Dermalogica, Bare Escentuals and Allergan. Simon is passionate about her work and likes to share her enthusiasm with her employees. New hires work in customer service, so they can learn about the business and then can be promoted to sales. In that position, they earn a commission 50 percent above industry standards and can build their own businesses within SeaCliff. Last year, SeaCliff moved to its current headquarters with a state-of-the-art lab, a showroom and 6,000 square feet of space, giving each employee his or her own office. The facility also has a fully stocked kitchen, bathroom with showers and a children’s room for child care. Dynamic Concepts Inc. Headquarters: Aliso Viejo CEO: Douglas Chadwick Web site: dynamic.com Number of employees: fewer than 25 Product/service: Full-service information technology provider of Internet-enabled products Best benefit: You don’t have to leave Fido at home – it’s a dog-friendly workplace. You’d be hard-pressed to land a job that also will welcome your pooch, but that’s what Dynamic Concepts is all about. Dealing with Internet technology can be demanding, and the company has found that including dogs in the workplace is a good way to de-stress. In fact, the management likens its dog philosophy to the way it treats its customers – with unconditional loyalty and a friendly demeanor at all times. So, if you understand your dog, chances are, you’ll make a great employee here. This is a place that has a stellar reputation in the information-technology industry, and employees are seasoned professionals who get to work with famous clients. Beyond that, it has a casual family-like atmosphere, with no dress code, no micromanagement, frequent company parties and generous benefits. Dynamic Concepts boasts one of the most beautiful office spaces in the county, with a 10-foot waterfall, lots of plants, soft lighting and a cubicle-free environment. The Buddy Group Headquarters: Irvine CEO: Pete Deutschman Web site: thebuddygroup.com Number of employees: 55 Product/service: Digital creative agency Best benefit: Employees can work with a great group of friends – it hardly feels like work at all. This is a really, really cool place to work. It’s a Web, digital design and video-development house, and employees are usually pretty laid back and fun. But this environment takes them to a whole new level. The name Buddy Group comes from the philosophy that two minds are better than one, so the company promotes teamwork both at work and outside of work. Employees have more scheduled group social events than many of us attend in our own personal lives. The company has a kickball team, basketball breaks, days at the races, car rallies, scavenger hunts, barbecues and murder mystery parties. The company’s interior is a camping theme with bunk beds that have been converted into desks and a faux fire pit. And the conference room is called the “nuthouse.” Even more impressive than the fun environment is The Buddy Group’s portfolio of work, resulting in 13 Addy (advertisement industry) awards. They’ve done online advertising for the movie “March of the Penguins” and have clients such as Kodak, NBC Universal and YouTube. Tori Richards, a freelance writer based in Huntington Beach, is a frequent contributor to OC METRO BUSINESS magazine. |
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