If the Northeast Ohio region were a stage, the NorthCoast 99 winning companies would be the A-list stars!
These companies don’t just shine – they steal the show with their innovation and commitment to their employees. I feel so lucky each year to have front-row seats to see the best companies in action. They not only perform but also inspire others to aim for the spotlight.
Each year, the NorthCoast 99 awards program and event has a theme. This year’s theme, “Company’s Got Talent,” signifies that the 99 winning organizations have developed cultures and positive reputations that draw talent from not only the Northeast Ohio region but also from across the nation, which is helping to grow our regional economy.
Congrats to the 2024 NorthCoast 99 Winners!
While every company is composed of people, it is the most talented employees who make them successful.
The talent at these organizations is generally diverse, encompassing a wide range of abilities, experiences, and perspectives.
Through the NorthCoast 99 program, we’ve learned that talented workers want to be part of winning cultures and teams.
They want to work with the best of the best. When asked what keeps top-performing employees at their organizations, we consistently hear “the people,” “co-workers,” and “teams.”
Top talent is also looking for work environments that offer competitive compensation, benefits, and rewards that are a cut above the rest.
For the third year in a row, our data shows that top-performing employees ranked “compensation” as the attribute that they find most important in a job.
The 2024 NorthCoast 99 winners know that the way they treat their talent directly ties to their retention rates and bottom lines.
Their approach to HR policies is groundbreaking. Even their most basic policies are crafted in a flexible, equitable, and mutually respectful manner.
For example, 83% of winners have the same time off policies for both managers and non-managers, and 22% of winners provide a set number of days off for bereavement leave, without specifying eligibility based on the relationship to the deceased.
Winning NorthCoast 99 is not easy, and the winning group of 99 employers is constantly evolving, listening, and responding to the needs and desires of today’s talent.
In fact, all of this year’s winners formally measure employee engagement and take action based on what they hear from those results.
The leaders at these companies find the intersection between creating outstanding policies and practices and building a culture of highly engaged workers who propel their businesses forward.
We at ERC commend the 2024 NorthCoast 99 winners for setting a benchmark for excellence. Congratulations!
PS. If your organization wants to learn more about the award-winning policies and practices of the NorthCoast 99, I highly recommend ordering the 2024 NorthCoast 99 Winner Practices Report. This report is your data-driven guide to building an exceptional workplace for top talent.
