Best Places to Work begins in Flathead

Montana West Economic Development is launching a program in the Flathead Valley to help local employers create better environments for employees and find quality employees at the same time. 

“We hear from a lot of employers that they can’t seem to find the right employees, and that’s not unique to the Flathead,” said Kellie Danielson, CEO of Montana West Economic Development. “We wanted to find something that might help employers.”

The Best Places to Work contest conducted by Quantum Workplace sounded like a good first step. It will officially be launched at today’s Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon. 

“The recognition of a local business as a Best Place to work is an attraction tool for increasing applicant numbers,” Danielson said. “People are naturally drawn to employers that are recognized as good places to work.”

Winners will receive recognition through a special publication in the Daily Inter Lake, a co-sponsor of the contest, and at an awards event. 

Quantum Workplace has worked with organizations of all sizes and across multiple industries to measure employee engagement. 

Companies recognized as Best Places to Work receive seven times the average number of resumes per open position, according to Quantum Workplace data analysis. 

“The Quantum Workplace survey tool will provide management with really good feedback about what employees are thinking,” Danielson said. “This program is administered by a third-party vendor that has expertise in giving guidance to employers in how to improve the workplace.”

Montana West will contact local companies to see if they are interested in participating. 

Interested businesses also can sign up at the Montana West Economic Development website at dobusinessinmontana.com.

The Best Places to Work contest starts with a company pledging its participation through a nomination process. A company must have 10 full-time employees or more to participate; Montana West members do not have to pay the $200 participation fee. 

The nomination deadline is April 19.  

Employees will receive a survey containing approximately 40 questions created by Quantum Workplace measuring the employee engagement level of the workplace. Quantum defines employee engagement as the outcome of a healthy workplace, in which employees put forth extra effort and advocate for the workplace and there is a high level of employee retention. 

Companies can give the employee surveys at any time between April 22 and May 17. Winners will be announced at a Best Places to Work celebration on June 23, the same day a Daily Inter Lake special publication will be released. 

Other than the release of the winning names, all survey results and how companies finished in relation to each other will be confidential.

 “We’re really excited about it, because any time you can recognize businesses that are Best Places, we can use it in economic development marketing,” Danielson said. “It sends a statement to people who are wanting to launch businesses or expand a company here to look at the kind of businesses that are located in this area and see how they’re thriving.”

The program has primarily been run in larger metropolitan areas. The Flathead Valley will be the site of Quantum Workplace’s first rural venture.

The Best Places to Work contest began in 2004 with the intention of recognizing and honoring companies that understand the value of their human assets.

For more information, call Jessica Rogers at 257-7711 or email jessica@dobusinessinmontana.com.