#45 InnerWorkings
InnerWorkings puts faith in Gen Y talent. So much so, in fact, Generation Y employees make up 20+% of the staff and are encouraged to take on major projects from the start. A global leader in print procurement, InnerWorkings offers its employees an eco-friendly office where flextime and lunchtime are taken as seriously as growth and innovation. All that and snacks, too.
"We have a very unique, edgy business model," says CEO Eric Belcher. "As a result, Gen Y employees are critical. Individuals who are open and flexible and don't bring with them preconceived notions of how this industry works, tend to thrive."
Several Generation Y employees at the firm, founded in 2001, agreed that what they didn't know has helped them find satisfaction at the company.
"InnerWorkings assumes that you aren't going to be here forever, so they let you work on projects and learn new applications that will enhance your resume," says Troy Jackson, an Applications Developer with the company for over three years. Jackson says he has learned as much being at InnerWorkings as he did in college. "I work with very bright people. Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new."
Production Coordinator Maureen Groh says that the fast-paced but laid back company culture gives her the freedom to learn on her own and hone her skills. "Management is very trusting of entry-level employees," she says. "There isn't someone watching over your shoulder."
That trust extends past allowing a person to update their Twitter feed. At InnerWorkings, newer staffers are encouraged to take on big projects. "You get the opportunity to work on-site with clients, which says a lot about the company," Groh notes. "They trust their people to be in that role by themselves."
Working at your own pace is also welcome. "We don't watch the clock around here," says Belcher. "We are concerned about profitably delivering for our clients on a day-to-day basis, and pride ourselves on allowing the most flexibility possible to suit everyone's needs. As a result, there is an openness to the environment here that allows our Generation Y employees to thrive."
The new, young company does things a little differently--which is right up Gen Y's alley, of course. It's a good fit. Says Belcher, "InnerWorkings has found that some of the younger employees have contributed the best ideas."
