The best places to work are always works in progress. Even among those that have been fixtures on this and other lists for their thoughtful and creative approaches to recruiting, camaraderie and culture, they seem to find new ways to elevate their methods.
This is no different as the workplace transitions yet again. As businesses pivot from working from home to returning to the office, those on the list are embracing the changes in their own ways. Some require in-office work, some allow remote work, and some have adopted the hybrid experience, all based on their team’s needs.
How do they know what to offer? Simply put: They ask. They spoke of open doors, town halls and surveys that inquired what their teams wanted or suggested to elevate the experience. Then they acted on the answers, often in novel ways.
That’s only one example of thinking that elevates a workplace from good to award-winning. Even as the job market flips from employee-driven to employer-driven, these organizations look beyond the trends and apply what best serves their teams. The results have taken them beyond the top-tier benefits to always-evolving solutions that make their teams thrive and their companies best places to work.
The 2023 Best Places to Work were celebrated at a rockin’ awards luncheon Feb. 23 at Signature Grand in Davie. Many thanks to corporate sponsor Quantum Workplace and associate sponsor Corporate Benefit Partners.
Jeffrey Ardizon has a theory about creating a best place to work. It’s a workplace that promotes collaboration, freedom of expression, outside-the-box thinking, “while also rewarding effort, performance, and results,” The Estate Cos. principal said.
Its open-door policy extends from each member of the management team “all the way up to the CEO and founder,” he said. “This inclusiveness really makes the work environment feel like a home away from home.”
The company promotes disciplined and empowered entrepreneurial thinking, which is critical at the vertically integrated developer focused on transforming South Florida communities.
They take these efforts even further with employee evaluations during which goals, standards and objects are communicated and honed. Employees are encouraged to pursue their interests and passions, and leadership provides ample opportunities to gain exposure across all the company’s divisions and teams.
Fun pursuits include monthly birthday celebrations, and holiday events and parties, including the Thanksgiving picnic, with sports, games, food, and dancing to a DJ. The Christmas celebration, often held at the Rut-N-Strut Ranch, owned by managing principal and CEO, Robert Suris, features a companywide “white elephant” gift exchange.
For job candidates seeking an environment where people feel like family and are encouraged to offer up creative ideas and explore their passions, Ardizon said “look no further.
“Our company is as valuable as our employees,” he said. “Our employees make it possible to achieve our goals and dreams. We owe it to them to provide a workplace where they feel empowered to succeed and thrive.”
February 2023. South Florida Business Journal.
