Organisations that work hard to improve their working environment experience lower staff turnover, higher productivity, increased loyalty - and greater business success.
"There's a powerful link between a good workplace with an engaged workforce and business success," says John Robertson of workplace survey and analysis specialist, JRA, whichcarries out the Best Places to Work survey.
Small workplace category finalist, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, recently recorded the best four month's financial results in the company's history and medium to large category finalist, Barkers Mens' Clothing, has been enjoying "very large double-digit growth" in an otherwise gloomy retail landscape.
"Employees who feel a strong sense of engagement are much more likely to 'go the extra mile' and look for better ways of doing things to help their organisation succeed, something that's more important than ever in tough economic times," said Robertson.
Trevor Taylor, CEO of the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand which was the 2007 Overall Winner and a finalist again this year, said he's learnt more in the past five years at the adventure learning organisation than he did during 20-odd years in the corporate world.
Winners will be announced at a black tie Awards Evening in Auckland on 26 November 2008.
