2006 Outstanding Business of the Year Award -

2006 Outstanding Business of the Year Award

Named after former Governor Deane C Davis (1900-1990) and co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and VermontBiz, the award is given to the Vermont company that embraces the unshakeable values that Davis brought to his office: enhancing the economy and championing the environment with the help of business and satisfied employees. Governor Deane C….

About this Event

Governor Deane C. Davis (1900 – 1990)

In 1968, at the age of 68, when most people look forward to enjoyment of retirement, Deane C. Davis was elected governor. Governor Davis brought considerable experience to the governor’s office (1969-1973), gleaned over many years as a lawyer, corporate officer and company president. He was a strong advocate of a sound economy based in a protected environment.

Governor Davis was known as the “Environmental Governor” because of his strong support for Act 250, which was enacted during his administration. He also championed a vigorous economic development program that resulted in the creation of the highly successful regional economic development corporations.

Criteria

The Standards of Excellence are the criteria that will be used in judging the nominees for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The following questions should be used as guidelines and examples for companies as they prepare their submissions for nomination. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.

Demonstrated success by:

* Continued growth in number of employees and/or sales.
Does the company have a clear mission statement that allows sustainable growth for itself and its employees? Does the company’s goals and objectives create incentive for sustained growth? Does the company’s marketing strategy keep up with a constantly changing market place?

* Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects.
Does the company have a community relations function at its corporate level? Does the company encourage employees to participate in community projects? Are company officers involved in community projects?

* Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont.
Does company policy incorporate Vermont’s natural environment in the production or marketing of its product(s)? Is the company actively involved in the development of local, regional or state natural and economic environmental policies?

* Creation of a positive work environment for all employees.
Does the company involve its employees in operational policy creation? Does the company create incentives for employee participation in company and community projects? Does the company’s human resources policies provide for meaningful and continuing employee evaluation?

Standards of Excellence:

The Outstanding Business of the Year Award is the prestigious recognition of a company in Vermont who has met the highest standards of excellence in the past year to improving its sales, the work environment for its employees, and its contribution of its resources to its community.

The honoree has demonstrated success through:

Continued growth in number of employees or sales
Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects
Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont
Creation of a positive work environment for all employees

The economic well-being of Vermont rests squarely on the success of its businesses, large and small, which provide jobs, products, and services to consumers in Vermont, across the United States and around the world. Many companies in Vermont fully exemplify the Outstanding Vermont Business Standards of Excellence. They have used these standards as a guideline to improve their business, their employees and their community. These standards are relevant to all businesses, small and large.

Meeting the highest standards of excellence is the direct cause of the success of any business. Even if the market is ready and consumers are willing, the ability to attain the highest standards of excellence combined with a clear, definable mission statement is vital to any company’s longevity.

Eligibility:

To be eligible the nominated business must have its corporate headquarters in Vermont for at least 10 years. Subsidiaries of international corporations may also be nominated if their U.S. headquarters are based in Vermont and if they operate largely autonomously. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.

General Information:

Anyone may nominate a business for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The nomination may be made by the business itself, a government agency, or interested individuals.

The screening committee may request additional information from nominators, references or the company itself for the judge’s consideration. All entries and supplementary materials will become the property of the VermontBiz and will not be returned. Decisions of the judging committee are final.

Because the Outstanding Business of the Year Award is designed to recognize the total commitment of a company, nominations should describe the entire scope of the company’s mission.

Accompanying Materials:

The online nomination form allows you to submit up to three supporting documents to your online nomination. Supporting documents are optional. Please submit as much background material as you feel necessary to support the statement. Additional materials may include, but are not limited to samples of company policies, mission statements, company annual reports, employee newsletters, program evaluation forms. If you are unable to submit accompanying materials online you may mail them to: VermontBiz, 365 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.

Confidential Information:

In order for the Selection Committee to properly evaluate each application, it is helpful for us to have relevant information requested (sales figures and employee count). This information is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be shared with anyone other than the Selection Committee. Copies will be destroyed following the selection. Please include this information with your application.

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS

1990 WALLACE ENTERPRISES

1991 C & S WHOLESALEGROCERS

1992 MCKENZIE MEATS

1993 PERRY RESTAURANT GROUP

1994 GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS

1995 VERMONT HEATING & VENTILATING

1996 MACKMOLDING COMPANY

1997 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT

1998 VERMONT COUNTRY STORE

1999 CABOT CREAMERY

2000 WAITSFIELD CHAMPLAIN VALLEY TELECOM

2001 WILD APPLE GRAPHICS

2002 NRG SYSTEMS

2003 HUBBARDTON FORGE

2004 IDX

2005 KING ARTHUR FLOUR

Winners

Resource Systems Group, Inc.

Resource Systems Group, Inc. (RSG) was founded in 1986 by three Dartmouth College professors. Each worked for more than a decade on research, academic studies and consulting projects, providing the foundation for the company’s expertise in planning, analysis, and management of business, infrastructure and natural resources Since 1994, RSG has been headquartered in White River Junction and recently opened satellite offices in Chicago, Illinois and Burlington, Vermont. RSG serves clients who share the belief that high-quality, objective analysis is a prerequisite to resolving complex problems. Employee growth and development plays a key role in the RSG workplace. Honored in 2006 as one of Vermont’s best places to work, RSG is dedicated to providing a supportive workplace for its employees. RSG recognizes that it is no longer good enough just to provide long term employment with good benefits; it is also important to be a community steward. RSG’s flexible workplace allows staff members to volunteer during the business day. As one employee commented, “The people are an extremely intelligent, competent group of individuals who are committed to doing good work. The atmosphere is stimulating, but relaxed – and people’s personal lives are highly valued and respected. Lastly, this organization has been extremely supportive to many individuals who have sought to advance their education. Because we are employee owned, there is a stronger sense of connection and accountability. When I describe my work environment to other people, they almost always respond, “I can’t believe you work for such an amazing company!”” Each year, RSG donates 5-20% of net income to charitable causes. Solicitations during this year are evaluated by a charitable giving committee, but the majority of charitable giving is directed by the employees themselves through a point allocation system from among a list of non-profits that have been nominated during the year. RSG is an employee owned company. This helps foster an atmosphere in which everyone is listened to and encouraged to become involved in company initiatives, policy development and ad hoc committees. For example, through open book financials, which are discussed in detail at a firm-wide meeting each month, staff members are kept apprised of financial performance, and are made aware of how their hard work pays off in profit sharing and appreciation of company stock. RSG specializes in areas that promote respect of the natural environment in Vermont and around the country. These include sustainable transportation, noise, air and renewable energy. In the area of renewable energy, one of RSG’s Chairmen is involved in the national dialogue to define how renewable energy certificates will be used for a carbon trading market. Within transportation, RSG occupies a critical niche in the world of congestion pricing, an evolving practice that gets commuters out of their single occupancy vehicles and into carpools or on mass transit. When growth forced RSG to begin looking for a new site for its White River Junction headquarters, it would have been more convenient and less expensive to build in a cow pasture or relocate to New Hampshire’s more favorable tax environment, but RSG felt committed to Vermont. Instead, RSG worked with developers and local municipal officials to move its headquarters into downtown White River Junction. Clayton Adams, Chief Operating Officer, commented, “Once we made that decision, we have never looked back.” RSG has served numerous private and public sector clients in a wide array of industries, including over 20% of the Fortune 500 top 100 firms, as well as many smaller firms.