Best workplaces get benefits from winning local competition

Winning last year’s Best Places to Work in the Flathead and Glacier Park Region have given the top businesses some extra mileage.

The three winners of the 2013 contest said winning the award improved employee morale, improved their clients’ perception of their business and showed them what areas they can still improve upon.

“It was a great honor. It meant a lot to us. We’re very proud of how we’re a team and care about each other, and to get an award for it just strengthens that bond,” said Marie Hickey-AuClaire, manager of Soucie Soucie Salon, which took home the top honor in the small business category.

The search is on for the 2014 winners. Local businesses with 10 or more employees can enter the 2014 Best Places to Work at dobusinessinmontana.com. Nominations will be accepted until April 4 and are free.

The competition, sponsored by Montana West Economic Development and the Daily Inter Lake, recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond to create the best possible environment to foster productive and happy employees.

Mann Mortgage won the large division and Mountain Meadow Herbs won the medium division in 2013.

Tara Tucker, the human resources generalist for Mann Mortgage, said winning the award reiterated what a great place it is to work.

“Getting the award made them realize what a great place they get to work at. It made them upbeat and more excited to come into work,” Tucker said.

Kathy Garber, chief executive officer of Mountain Meadow Herbs, said that company puts in “a lot of effort trying to make this a great place to work.

“Getting the award just confirmed that we’re doing a good job and people look forward to coming into work,” Garber said.

The award also brought the businesses a lot of recognition and new clients. Hickey-AuClaire said the award didn’t just bring them new customers, but happy customers.

“When people come into work happy, the clients can feel the energy and are happy, too,” she said.