Honored Leader: Karen Oman, CEO
Company Name: Certes Financial Pros
Location: Saint Louis Park, Minn.
Nature of Business: Places high-level financial professionals
with corporate clients on a project basis.
Founded: 1994
Revenue: $6-10 million
Growth Rate (2002): -1 percent*
Number of Employees: 100 employees
Average Tenure: 3 years
Key Workplace Programs:
- Flat management structure
- Employee opinion surveys
- Accessible leader
- Internal newsletter
- Company-wide meetings
- Employee recognition programs
- Entertainment rewards
- Career Counseling
- Company social events
- Flexible/seasonal scheduling
- Subsidized home offices
- Sabbaticals
Oman on leadership: "The one thing I know, we all have to fight against
taking our employees for granted. Because when we do, I believe our future
security as a company will be threatened. Truly, the employer who can keep
the best employees will win long term. Because what is a company if not
the sum of its employees and their contributions?"
*Certes Financial Pros experienced a 10 percent drop in sales during the
first half of 2002, but posted a 9 percent increase during the second half
of the year.
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