Maumee firm again cited as a top place to work

6/27/2006

For the second straight year, a Maumee company has landed on the list of the 50 Best Small & Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America.

Root Learning Inc. has been named one of the top 25 small firms (50 to 250 employees) in the annual survey by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Great Place to Work Institute.

"We think it's a big deal," said Jim Haudan, president and chief executive.

"Our business is designed to create results for other organizations, but we pride ourselves on doing it with our own employees as well," he said. The company has 100 employees in three locations, including offices in London and Chicago.

In announcing the winners, the trade group and institute cited "a quirky mix of MBAs, writers, and artists [who] make up the unique "Rootizen" or "Rootster" culture, where business consultants use visual art to help clients shape strategies."

It continues: "The company promotes "Opt-In" dialogue, in which all employees potentially affected by a decision are called upon to offer input."

That means, said Mr. Haudan, artists are asked to use their analytical skills and analysts are asked to think outside the box.

"We've created a culture where people have learned to respect the differences of their colleagues and we're able to come up with extraordinary results," the CEO said.