May 5, 2011 – At the annual West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For luncheon held today, May 5, 2011 at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, Mich. not only were 101 companies honored, but 11 Elite winners were also honored, representing the 11 different award categories.

The different categories are: Communication, Community Initiatives, Compensation and Benefits, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Employee Education and Development, Employee Engagement and Commitment, Recognition and Retention, Recruitment and Selection, Work-Life Balance, Small Business and the “Best of the Best” award.

Of the 11 categories, one elite winning company was selected from each category. Elite winners are selected based on their high scores and then named an Elite winner in their respective category. (See following list for the Elite winners.)

Each company’s entry was evaluated by an independent research firm. Nominated companies are assessed by reviewing a number of key measures in each category.

“Elite Award recipients stand out from most businesses in that they have exceeded traditional practices used to recruit, develop, motivate and retain their employees. They acknowledge the value their employees have on affecting the success of their company,” said Jennifer Kluge, COO and executive vice president of the Michigan Business and Professional Association. “We are proud to recognize this year’s West Michigan Elite companies.”

Sponsors of the “West Michigan 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For’ include Davenport University, Grand Rapids Business Journal, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Secur Alarm Systems, The Employers’ Association, DTE Energy, Rehmann, WOOD Radio 1300 AM, Spectrum Health, Progressive AE, AT&T Michigan, WOOD TV8, Staples and Huntington Bank.

The “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For,” a program of the Michigan Business and Professional Association is presented annually in three markets: Metro Detroit, Chicago, and West Michigan. Nominations are now being accepted for 2012. Visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.

West Michigan’s “101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For”

2011 ELITE AWARD WINNERS

Category Company

Communication American Axle & Mfg., Inc (Three Rivers)

Community Initiatives Express Employment Professionals (Portage)
Compensation and Benefits Ernst & Young (Grand Rapids)
Diversity and Multiculturalism Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber
(Grand Rapids)

Employee Education and Development Deloitte LLP (Grand Rapids)

Employee Engagement and Commitment Saint Mary's Health Care (Grand Rapids)
Recognition and Retention Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, Inc.
(Grand Rapids)

Recruitment and Selection Business Strategy, Inc. (Grand Rapids)
Work-Life Balance Metro Health Hospital (Wyoming)
Small Business Grand Rapids Community Foundation (Grand Rapids)

“Best of the Best” Arrow Strategies (Grand Rapids)

Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA (www.michbusiness.org) is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employee more than 200,000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) with more than 3,400 members.

Michigan Business and Professional Association
27700 Hoover Road
Warren, MI 48093-6306
(888) 277-6464 * www.michbusiness.org

Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA (www.michbusiness.org) is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employee more than 200,000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) with more than 3,400 members.

27700 Hoover Road
Warren, MI 48093-6306

This release was published on openPR.