This award recognizes leadership that empowers its employees to help the organization continue to be successful, especially during difficult economic times.

Winner: Shearer's Foods, Inc.

Bob Shearer, CEO of Shearers Foods, can be found on the plant floor talking with associates during all three shifts. He recognizes that his associates are the heart and soul of the business and that they are the best people to determine what they can do to make the business better. Like many leaders, Shearer was faced with a significant challenge this past year: recognizing his associates with raises when money was tight.

At the August 2008 State of the Company meeting for all associates, CEO Bob Shearer challenged all associates to come up with cost-saving ideas so that he would be able to give them a raise for 2009. Shearer’s associates rose to the challenge and offered 1,000 suggestions. A committee was formed to review the responses, which were combined into 150 final suggestions. Nearly 100 suggestions were identified to move forward and 65 suggestions have been implemented to date. For a $620,000 investment, the organization is experiencing a $1.4 million savings. This cross department collaboration resulted in long-term improvements and nice raises for all associates.

This is just one example of how Shearer’s leadership has stepped up to the challenges of our economy – by empowering their associates to come up with innovative solutions to the challenges impacting their business. Innovative ideas have always been the “recipe” for Shearer’s tremendous success. The company is constantly upgrading all phases of the manufacturing process to enhance efficiency and reduce operating costs as well as constantly exploring new snack product opportunities. Shearer places associates at the center of all training and process improvement projects because they know best how things work. As a result, employees have easy access to expressing concerns and suggestions

Bob Shearer rightly credits the growth of his family business to quality people and quality products. He believes that the dedicated and loyal associates are Shearers’ most important assets.

When asked what their organization’s greatest strength is, top performers at Shearer's Foods speak to their organization’s ability to work together, innovate, and empower employees:

"We're all in it together. One person(s) job is no more important than the other persons."

"Professionalism and quality. From our CEO, Bob Shearer all the way down to warehouse or sanitation workers, there is an expectation and an understanding that everything is done in a first class manner. The quality of our product is to be maintained at all times and nothing will be allowed to adversely affect that standard. From the employment of excellent managers in all company departments to the latest equipment and the companies dedication to support local communities and charities, there is only one way to do things at Shearers Foods, first class! Another strong point is that Shearers also promotes the exchange of ideas throughout the company. Different departments feel free to ask for the opinions of any another department to help solve problems or to strengthen the company overall."

"Entrepreneurial spirit that allows for new items and ideas to flow from concept to implementation quickly."

"One of many great strengths is our ability to adapt and find solutions to problems that may happen. For a family born company we are very innovative and competitive, but have never seemed to lose that family type attitude. Without our customer to provide our product we would not be successful and as a company that is our top priority. Our ability to put the right people in leadership roles is notable as well. Without the proper management it is hard to trust in your company, we do not have that problem."

"My organization's greatest strength is that they are constantly asking for suggestions and new ideas from the associates to better improve the work environment and the products we produce. They provide a number of opportunities to promote this input. I believe the new ideas are evaluated and put into practice whenever possible."

"The ability to adapt continuously changing business conditions, and do it successfully."