We're in the homestretch of the 2011 application process of our Top Small Company Workplaces award with Inc. Magazine.  As of today, small firms have two days left to get their application in (it must be submitted by midnight in their time zone, Tuesday, Jan. 18).

One thing I've been happy to see is that despite the shrinking window to complete their applications, our participants this year continue to tell us the time involved in applying has been well spent.  I have been sending out emails to completed applicants asking for their feedback on taking time away from their work to apply.  Here's what some of them have said, since just last Thursday:

• "We thought the application was very thorough.  It was a great opportunity to reaffirm some of the beliefs and policies that we think makes this such a great place to work." (Marketing manager, Missouri-based healthcare firm with 25 employees)
• "Completing the application was relatively straightforward and the directions were clear." (Sales and marketing director, California-based consulting firm with 109 employees)
• "We found a lot of value in the application because it caused us to do a lot of self-assessment.  Separate from the questions themselves, the fact that we could download the questions in advance was very helpful because we filled out the Word document and then simply copy and pasted into the online form." (Marketing and communications manager, Ohio-based business services provider with 22 employees)

You still have time to complete an application, and benefit from assessing your productive workplace culture people practices.  Go here to start the process; if you run into any hurdles, call our knowledgeable, responsive team for help at 847-328-9798.