#36 MSDSonline
For companies that move at the speed of modern business, the skills of Generation Y are increasingly valuable. MSDSonline provides virtual SAAS solutions for safety managers across a variety of industries and recognizes that to reach its objectives, fostering a great place for Gen Y employees is a smart first step.
"Generation Y makes up more than 50% our workforce," reports CEO Glenn Trout. "We've found that with our business model, recruiting out of colleges is successful because Gen Y brings creativity and a good work ethic. They're tech savvy, born with cell phones on their hip and have always had Internet access--and we are an Internet company."
Whether the number of Gen Yers influences the culture or the culture fits the Gen Y employees is hard to say, but either way, it works for MSDS. "We pride ourselves on the culture here," Trout says. "It's similar to college and a nice transition into the workforce." The company frequently asks 1-2 employees from each department to openly talk about the corporate culture and ways to make it better. This "culture club" was born out of an annual employee survey to improve morale and communication and to provide insight on how to make the company a fun place to work that extends benefits to employees.
For most of the employees, the main benefit is their coworkers. "I never thought I would be at a company where I would work with my best friends," says Sales Representative Jeff Ruby. "We're all on a first name basis, and I have access to senior leadership--there is literally never a door closed." Ruby says that the work/life balance is great--employees are home by 5 each day. "It doesn't feel like work; we work hard but have fun making a difference to our clients."
For those with an eye on advancement, MSDS provides plenty of opportunities to move from department to department, says Project Manager P.J. Schoeny. "I started in data entry and am now leading external training in design and development. You can advance your career here."
