Yes, I know this logo is from 2011. New badges not out yet. :-)

If you’re looking for ideas on how to become a best place to work, maybe I can help. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend the Huntsville Best Places to Work Awards ceremony, and Pinnacle received an award in the “micro” size business category. Over 200 companies were nominated to kick off the process, and there was definitely some stiff competition. This is the first year we were eligible to compete since we were too small in previous years.

Want to know how to become a “Best Place to Work?” It’s fairly simple.

1. Build a company from the ground up with an emphasis on core values
2. Hire and promote based on those core values
3. Repeat

Hey, wait a minute. Shouldn’t there be something in there about rewards or transparency or something? Surely there’s more to it.

Certainly, but those are covered in #1. Our values include things like creating a fun work environment and enforcing an atmosphere of open and honest communication. Creating a fun work environment means different things to different people. With regard to the HR team, for example, it is an opportunity to provide a solid slate of benefits that help our people focus on their work, not scrounge around for insurance.

If you choose core values that can be broadly interpreted, yet hard-hitting enough for people to follow them on a daily basis, then you are on the right track. Over time that leads to a great workplace that employees love.

Tomorrow I’ll go back to work. We’ll keep doing the same things we’ve been doing for the past few years, because that’s what our people love about Pinnacle. And that, my friends, is how you become what some people like to call a “best place to work.”