This award recognizes practices that promote autonomy, empowerment, and flexibility in the workplace.

Winner: Noble-Davis Consulting, Inc.

At Noble Davis Consulting, there are no set schedules, no probationary or introductory periods, and no specified amount of paid time off. The rules are minimal, the policies seem sparse, and the opportunities are virtually endless. The workplace is flexible and trusting of employees.

Work/life is Noble Davis Consulting's founding principle. It understands that family comes first - whether it's a child's soccer game, a sick child, an ailing spouse or a dying parent. That's why the organization allows its staff to work on their own schedule. Some employees start their day at 10 and others leave by 3. There are also those that work at home during the week to juggle the needs of taking care of small children. The firm understands that employees have situations that require time off, and so they allow employees to volunteer for work they would like to do and not volunteer for more than they want to do. In addition, the organization recognizes that every family situation is unique and allows for time off when necessary.

The organization treats its staff like family. It cares for its staff by taking meals to employees that have babies, babysitting for each other, and having bins of toys at work in case an employee needs to bring their child into the office. The firm provides freshly baked chocolate chip cookies every day, passes out birthday donuts, and always has showers for weddings and births. It sponsors weekend trips to Kalahari or Put-in-Bay every summer, covers the cost of a warehouse membership (BJs, Sam's Club, Costco) for all employees, and also provides lunches for staff members at least twice per month. It celebrates success by going to the horse races, bowling, attending a Tribe game, playing Whirlyball, or celebrating Cinco de Mayo celebration.

What makes this environment work is the organization's strong focus on self-motivation and entrepreneurship. Each employee is given the ability to run their caseload as if it was their own business. Employees have the autonomy to make their own decisions regarding tasks. Internally, the organization creates challenging work experiences for their employees by having contests, stressing continuing education, and working with employees to achieve high levels of performance. The organization is so willing to train and promote top performers that they are constantly encouraging employees to acquire new skills, take new chances, and assist with committees and reviews. Employees also have the ability to shape and change policies at the firm, keeping them engaged. The firm even utilizes brainstorming sessions where the staff engages in silly things like crawling under the table or moving to a different seat to get outside of their comfort zone, think differently, make suggestions for process improvement, and get their ideas implemented.

This organization never underestimates the value of its employees. Its leaders take responsibility and accountability for failings, but attribute its success to its employees. When asked what their organization’s greatest strength is, top performers at Noble Davis Consulting testify to their organization's trusting and flexible atmosphere:

“Our greatest strength is the flexibility given to our employees. This includes the hours that they are in the office, the ability to work at home a day or two a week, choosing the amount and type of work they want to take on, and whether or not they are willing to take on more responsibility as time goes on. We like to think of it as each employee has their own small business that they are responsible for.”

“Our greatest strength is that the company encourages and rewards personal responsibility. Employees are treated as entrepreneurs in that they have the flexibility to choose the hours they work in the office, the days worked in the office or at home and the number of clients they service as long as their clients are "happy". Rewards include continuing education, the opportunity for advancement and company ownership.”

“Working here makes it possible for me to volunteer at my children's school and to be there for them when they are unable to attend school due to illness since I am also able to work from home.”

“The owners of the company truly care about the employees and are continually trying to find ways to reward us and keep the work environment as stress free as possible”