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2006 Award for Workplace Excellence Winners Announced
Employee Opinion Surveys Help Create Engaged, Satisfied Employees Who Love to Come to Work

For Immediate Release
February 15, 2007

The 2006 winners of the Peter Barron Stark & Associates Award for Workplace Excellence™ have been announced. Many awards that claim to measure workplace excellence are based on responses provided by an administrator in a written questionnaire. The Award for Workplace Excellence is considered especially prestigious as it is solely based on actual employee feedback. Clay Phillips, City Manager for the City of Escondido, who was a first time award winner, believes that winning the award “is a tribute to our employees who are the heartbeat of this organization.”

Peter Stark, President of Peter Barron Stark & Associates shares the purpose of employee opinion surveys, “Through these surveys, employees believe their voice can be heard by management. And, once that voice is heard it can be acted upon to make positive workplace improvements.”

Award winners unanimously agree that a satisfied and engaged workforce leads to a more successful organization. Marla Shepard, CEO of First Future Credit Union, a two-time award winner shared, “We know that our employees can only exceed our members’ expectations if they believe that we try to exceed theirs.” Jim McPheters, CEO of California Coast Credit Union, which received the award for the third time, sees a vital link between employee satisfaction and member service, “Employees who feel respected for a job well done provide better service to our members, who in turn feel respected. That’s what makes us all winners.”

Winners were selected based on criteria that included exceeding an 80% overall favorable response. The surveys measured employees’ responses in categories such as Communication, Leadership,Values, Work Environment, Motivation, Honesty, Integrity, Ethics, Commitment to Quality and Service, Benefits and Compensation. The winners for 2006 are:

  • Anthony Robbins Company (San Diego, CA)
  • Arizona State Credit Union (Glendale, AZ)
  • California Coast Credit Union (San Diego, CA)
  • City of Escondido (Escondido, CA)
  • Columbia Credit Union (Vancouver, WA)
  • DCI Group (Washington, DC)
  • First Future Credit Union (San Diego, CA)
  • Helix Water District (La Mesa, CA)
  • North Island Credit Union (San Diego, CA)
  • Pacific Marine Credit Union (Camp Pendleton, CA)
  • The San Diego Foundation (San Diego, CA)
  • Vantage West Credit Union (Tucson, AZ)
  • WD-40 Company (San Diego, CA)

Organizations who win this award clearly understand the importance of a long term view. Columbia Credit Union was one of the highest ranked organizations in the 2006 survey. Columbia’s president/CEO Parker Cann, talks about the journey to the top stating, “Because we resurvey, staff can see the success of their efforts quantified over time. We’re in this for the long haul and hold ourselves to high expectations. Becoming the best of the best doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of a series of improvements and celebrations.”

Award for Workplace Excellence winners are keenly aware that the greatest competitive weapon they have is their employees. Dave Doss, CEO of Arizona State Credit Union, summed it up this way, “What sets our organization apart from our competitors is the ‘heart’ and the care we have for our member’s welfare.” Mark Weston, GM of Helix Water District added, “This award affirms to the employees that our unending focus on customer service does create an outstanding organization.”

Award winners were quick to share some of their best practices that contributed to winning the award. Nancy Ely, VP of HR for WD-40, stated, “At WD-40, we do not make mistakes. We have learning moments and we celebrate success.” And Doug Goodyear, CEO of DCI Group emphasized the importance of recognition, “Managers are expected to take time to individually recognize, thank and encourage employees who are going the extra mile for our clients.”

Peter Stark firmly believes that an Employee Opinion Survey “is the best gift an organization can give to its employees and customers.” Ruby Randall, CEO/President of The Anthony Robbins Companies couldn’t agree more, “Conducting annual Employee Opinion Surveys has literally transformed our culture and thereby our business. We are grateful to Peter Barron Stark and his team for helping us transform our business.”

Peter Barron Stark & Associates, a San Diego based Management Consulting firm, administers Employee Opinion Surveys to thousands of employees each year and is recognized as a leader in developing and improving successful corporate cultures where employees love to come to work and customers love to do business. www.employeeopinionsurveys.com

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