Though large urban areas may typically be the center of the business world, several locally founded companies gained recognition earlier this month in Oregon Business magazine’s list of the 100 best companies to work for in Oregon.
The magazine released its 14th annual version of the list, which rates companies primarily based on surveys from employees across the state.
“There’s no subjectiveness on our part in terms of determining who the best companies are,” said Brandon Sawyer, a research editor at Oregon Business. “There’s only the subjectiveness of the employees.”
About five-sixths of the ratings are based on employee satisfaction surveys, with the remaining portion coming from benefits provided by employers. Companies are each rated in several categories, which include work environment and employee benefits and compensation, among others.
Sawyer said employee satisfaction is usually one of the best indicators of how well a business is running each year.
“If you make your employees happy, generally it translates into success throughout the rest of the company,” he said.
The list also could have large implications for students looking for careers after college, said Deb Chereck, director of the University’s Career Center.
“I would think that students who are targeting companies in Oregon would be really wise to consider these organizations who are focused on creating an inviting and productive work environment,” Chereck wrote in an e-mail.
Some student entrepreneurs might also use the list as an example in their own pursuits, Sawyer said.
“If a student had a business of his own and was trying to make it a good workplace, this list might help,” he said.
Chereck said some of the Eugene-based companies are regulars at the University’s Career Fair each term, including Oregon Community Credit Union (#22, large companies) and Symantec (#35, large companies), an international software company with an office in Springfield.
Of the small companies, one of the highest placing companies was Pacific Benefit Consultants, Inc. (#13, small companies), an independent insurance agency based in Eugene.
Jim Menezes, president of PBC, said any business can benefit right away from a reputation standpoint, but the employee perspective is also key.
“It’s gratifying, because the way you are graded in this survey process is by your own employees,” Menezes said. He also added that the results can help a company improve its business practices.
“I’ll admit that the recognition is gratifying, but it’s equally important to have that feedback, too,” Menezes said. “It can help you understand where you’re strong and where your employees think you’re not.”
This year’s competition drew a total of 342 companies vying to make the list, the largest field in the list’s history, Sawyer said. And though the Portland area has mostly dominated the lists, Medford-based U.S. Cellular was rated the top large company for the second straight year.
“You don’t have to be in the urban center to be a great company,” said Oregon Business editor Robin Doussard.
Here in Eugene, Menezes said the region has gained a strong reputation through the annual list. PBC has made it as high as #2 on the small company list, he said.
“The Eugene companies have been pretty well represented in the past, and we think that’s something to celebrate,” Menezes said. “There are some great people here.”
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