LEGACY AWARDS

GLOBAL CONNECTION AMS

AMS ENSURES EMPLOYEES MAINTAIN THE WORKLIFE BALANCE THAT’S CRUCIAL TO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS.

LOCATION: Cleveland (North American service center) EMPLOYEES: 350 (Cleveland), 10,000 (globally) WHAT THE COMPANY DOES: Directs large-scale recruitment solutions for 20 Fortune 500 and 10 Fortune 100 companies around the world. WHY IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK: Although the company has grown since it was founded in the U.K. in 1996, AMS remains true to the belief that employees are the foundation of the organization’s success and demonstrates that appreciation in a variety of ways.

EVEN THOUGH AMS HAS MORE THAN 10,000 STAFF MEMBERS stationed around the globe, executive vice president Mark Jones and his team never waver from maintaining the universal sense of belonging that’s led to employee longevity.

“We place a quarter of a million people in jobs around the world annually,” he says. “The brands we work with trust us to find top talent for them, and we make that a priority at our firm as well. To make that possible, we’ve created a culture where employees know they’re truly valued.”

Like so many companies, AMS was not immune to the effects of COVID-19. Virtually overnight, many of the businesses the company represents went from hiring tens of thousands of staff members to hiring none. But through it all, AMS remained steadfast to ensuring its employees knew how essential they’d always be.

“Since AMS was founded in the U.K., we have a DNA that’s modeled after many British firms,” he says. “In addition to making sure our benefits are strong, we pride ourselves on not being hierarchical. We don’t have a top-down approach where the culture is, ‘You’ll do whatever we say.’ Instead, we operate in a way in which everyone has a voice. And that voice is important because it manifests itself in loyalty and people being happy in their work.”

The dialogue is demonstrated in ways that range from the company’s strong LGBTQ participation in Pride events around the world to a Juneteenth celebration that includes a day off and a luncheon featuring dishes associated with the culture that’s prepared by a professional chef.

AMS is also dedicated to maintaining a climate centered on the work-life balance employees appreciate.

“Clearly, we need to hold people accountable to outcomes,” Jones says. “But we create as much flexibility as possible because right now people are looking for flexibility — whether that be flexibility in working location, working hours or flexibility for child care. We’re very open to when you want toget your work done. As a result, we’ve really created a climate where the workplace is seen as a good place to work.” — Linda Feagler

“The fact that we’ve [been an NorthCoast 99 winner 10 times] speaks volumes that AMS is not a place where employees have to be, it’s a place where they want to be.”

MARK JONES,

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

A Place Where Hope Heals

The new 11-floor MetroHealth Glick Center is allowing our providers to reimagine how healthcare is delivered.

18-time winner of NorthCoast 99 Top Employer Award

MetroHealth is honored to be named a NorthCoast 99 Top Employer for the 18th time! This repeated recognition is only possible because of our employees. Every day, they walk alongside people on their healthcare journeys, offering compassionate care that is focused on each person’s needs. This dedication to those we serve has helped attract the best people, practices and programs. And together, it’s made MetroHealth the special place it is—a place where callings are pursued, passion ignites, and hope heals.

Become part of this place where hope heals! Scan this QR code or go to metrohealth.org/careers for openpositions.

SHARING THEIR STRENGTHS

Earnest Machine

EARNEST MACHINE ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES TO USE THEIR INGENUITY ON THE JOB.

LOCATIONS: Rocky River (headquarters); Indianapolis, Atlanta and England (distribution centers); and Lakewood (manufacturing center) EMPLOYEES: 90 WHAT THE COMPANY DOES: Wholesale industrial distributor and manufacturer of nuts, bolts and large-diameter, high-strength fasteners to 4,000 customers throughout North America and Europe. WHY IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK: The company is focused on creating a culture of teamwork through trust and respect.

IT’S EASY TO SEE WHY KIRK ZEHNDER, president and CEO of Earnest Machine, understands what employees appreciate on the job. Once upon a time, he was one. Zehnder’s grandfather, Paul Earnest Zehnder, launched the firm in 1948, and his dad, John, signed on in 1967. Zehnder, who worked in the film and video industry before joining the firm in 2002, is quick to admit that his father wasn’t keen on the idea of him coming aboard.

“I spent six months convincing him that I’d be a good employee and not just a layabout,” the president and CEO says with a smile. “Our business has always been solid. But I convinced him that I’d be a good employee who would get it and be ready to meet the challenges and demands of the next 50 years.”

In addition to sprucing up the interior and upgrading the plumbing system, Zehnder, who took the helm in 2011, also continued the tradition of paying attention to suggestions co-workers made.

“We don’t have a corporate ladder here, it’s more of a jungle gym,” Zehnder says with a laugh. “One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is that we embrace change and continue to learn from our employees. They’re given the chance to use their strengths to make us better and to make them better — and they really like that opportunity. Not everyone has a chance where they work to take their strengths and deploy new ideas in an organization that says ‘yes.’ We encourage a progressive mindset for internal entrepreneurs and give them the resources they need to succeed.”

The newest initiative, Earnest Operating Units, invites employees to become active participants in community events. In Greater Cleveland, that includes Salvation Army holiday gift drives and Rocky River cleanup days.

During COVID-19, the company eschewed layoffs, determining instead to simply break even. Since Earnest Machine was deemed an essential business, employees had the opportunity to work from home and social distance in the firm’s distribution centers. Free counseling was also available to anyone who needed it.

When asked why employees cite his company as one of the best places to work, Zehnder echoes the sentiment professed by a longtime staff member: “Earnest will make you work very hard, but they’ll lift you up in the process.”

“From a philosophical standpoint, people want an opportunity and a place to be great, push themselves and feel proud,” he says. “It all adds up to something bigger than selling nuts and bolts.” — LF

“You can’t run a business based on great customer service if your employees are having a lousy experience. This award is a reminder that the work never stops, and there’s always room to become better.”

KIRK ZEHNDER,

PRESIDENT AND CEO