Business In Focus
A closer look at companies executing leadership excellence
In 2007, three hungry Georgetown students were constantly on the search for food. But, for Nicolas Jammet, Jonathan Neman, and Nathaniel Ru, Taco Bell just wasn’t cutting it. They started talking about their post-graduation plans and decided to fix their own problem. And sweetgreen was born. Eleven years later, the founders of this hip and healthy farm-to-table salad chain are controlling one of America’s most successful startups. With over 70 locations and 3,500 employees, sweetgreen is putting the sexy in salad. The secret to their success? In a word – culture.
(more…)
Business In Focus
A closer look at companies executing leadership excellence
Like most banks, First Green Bank (nka Seacoast Bank) provides basic financial services: checking and savings accounts, CDs, and commercial, residential, and consumer lending. Why did it make our Business in Focus? Its commitment to environmental and social impact. Since 2009, Orlando-based First Green Bank has worked by the motto “to do the right thing” for the environment and the community. The company’s headquarters is in a LEED Platinum building with a living plant wall, koi pond, green roof, and a solar array.
(more…)
Business In Focus
A closer look at companies executing leadership excellence
Bumble Bee Seafoods traces its origins back to 1899 and a handful of fishermen in Astoria, Oregon. Today, this privately-owned company employees 1,500 people across the world from its headquarters in San Diego to fish suppliers in Southeast Asia.
While its 119-year history is impressive, the company’s commitment to social and environmental sustainability is even more impressive. It’s LEED Silver-certified headquarters is in the historic Showley Bros. Candy Factory building beyond the right field in Petco Park. The building’s red brick exterior was restored under the guidance of the San Diego Historical Society. Its interior, however, is a modern architectural marvel.
(more…)
Business In Focus
A closer look at companies executing leadership excellence
If you’ve been in the housing market any time in the last ten years, you’ve probably spent a lot of time on Zillow. In case you have not been one of the website’s 188 million monthly visitors, Zillow is an online real estate database that allows users to search millions of for-sale and rental listings.
What most people outside of the company don’t know about Zillow is that it has an impressive Glassdoor rating of 4.2 (out of 5), has made Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list on four occasions, and CEO Spencer Rascoff has made the highest ranking CEO list three times.
(more…)
Business In Focus
A closer look at companies executing leadership excellence
In August 2013, an idea sprang to life in a 2-car garage that today is threatening to put Costco out of business. Chieh Huang founded Boxed (aka Costco for Millennials) when he realized that none of the big box warehouse titans offered home delivery of bulk-ordered items.
As Huang studied the market, he found that U.S. warehouse clubs made about $200 billion in annual top line revenue. Virtually 0% of that was sold on mobile channels. He created an app that offered the ability to take advantage of big box prices with the convenience of placing orders from a mobile phone. What’s even more remarkable, is that he created a company culture that thrives on giving back to its employees.
(more…)
Business In Focus
A closer look at companies executing leadership excellence
On December 29, 2012, employees at New Belgium Brewing started getting more than a paycheck. They got a 100% ownership stake in the company, and even more reason to be stewards in its success.
Today, over 750 employees of the Fort Collins, CO, based brewer participate in the company’s 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). They also get to take advantage of an on-site gym, climbing wall, volleyball courts, and one hour of paid time off for every two hours of volunteer work.
With all the time for play and volunteering, you may think that doesn’t leave much time for work. In fact, employee Bryan Simpson reported just the opposite.
(more…)
