2002 Honorees
Great People, Great Businesses
The 2002 People Do Matter initiative honored seven standout companies for excellence in human resource innovation. A panel of human resource experts selected winners from among a group of 19 nominees. More than 250 business and community leaders attended a reception on October 2, 2002 to find out who won the honors.
"It was great to see great people practices get the recognition that they deserve. In today's turbulent economy, human capital investments are vital to organizational and regional competitive advantage," said Stephen Mitchell, Ph.D., Director of Workforce Connections (coordinator and co-sponsor of the event).
The People Do Matter initiative salutes employers in three categories: People, Learning and Development, and Work Structure and Processes. Nominations were evaluated on the basis of creativity, results and ability to be replicated.
In the "People" category
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Hamill Manufacturing was singled out for its commitment to long-term workforce development strategies, partnerships with schools and employee development.
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Red Square Systems successfully integrated human resource and business strategies. The company build a "superior customer service culture" by investing in identifying, recruiting, training and retaining high-performance employees.
In the "Learning and Development" category
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The Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau overcame a series of challenges to construct what is now a nationally recognized training program. The PRO-Cabbies initiative ingeniously improved regional customer service by training cab drivers to be regional ambassadors.
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To create a "WOW" experience PNC Park visitors, the Pittsburgh Pirates organization created a "Grand Slam Plan" that required all game day employees to embody the best customer service skills possible.
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The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing's Cameos of Caring Award Program recognizes bedside nurses and the nursing profession in Western Pennsylvania. The initiative successfully increased general awareness and interest in the profession.
In the "Work Structures and Processes" category
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Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative and West Penn Hospital demonstrated that employee involvement and quality practices can improve health outcomes and hospital work environments.
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OMNOVA Solutions won a special award for significant transformation. The company's union and management employees put aside their fears, prejudices, and stereotypes to work hand-in-hand to secure the company's future. Their "new generation plan" improved consistency in operations, quality, safety, employee skills and versatility.
The seven winning companies each received a framed certificate of recognition, as well as a $250 voucher to use toward any other people development activity. In addition to coverage in a special supplement to the Pittsburgh Business Times, the firms will be highlighted in program partners' publications. Over the course of the year, recognized companies will also be invited to participate in other educational activities designed to help other companies learn from their experience.
The People Do Matter awards were created in 2002 by a partnership between Workforce Connections, the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, Pittsburgh Chamber of the American Society for Training and Development, Pittsburgh Technology Council, SMC Business Councils and the Community College of Allegheny County. The event is sponsored by the Pittsburgh Business Times and Workforce Connections.
To learn more about these awards, download the People Do Matter supplement to the Pittsburgh
Business Times or call Kate Shaughnessy at the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association
(412-261-5537).
