MILWAUKEE, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Baird has again been recognized among FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” a prestigious annual ranking of top U.S. companies based on workplace attributes and employee feedback. Baird, an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, has been included on the list for four consecutive years and ranked 38 this year. The 2007 list appears in FORTUNE’s Jan. 22 issue.
“It is a great honor and a tremendous source of pride for all of us at Baird to again be recognized by FORTUNE magazine for our ongoing commitment to being a great place to work,” said Paul E. Purcell, Baird Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. “Being included on this distinguished list of companies is a testament to the passion of our nearly 2,200 Baird associates for achieving great results. Their talent, work ethic, respect for one another and dedication to doing what is best for our clients makes Baird a great place for our associates, our clients and the communities we serve.”
FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” are identified through a detailed analysis done by the Great Place to Work(R) Institute. Companies are ranked based on an extensive two-part questionnaire, which covers employment and benefits data and quality-of-workplace topics, and on surveys completed by randomly selected employees. Employee responses constitute two-thirds of a company’s total score.
“Our associates are our greatest asset, and it is particularly gratifying that they consistently rate Baird so highly,” said Leslie Dixon, Baird’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “We realize that everyone wins at a great place to work. When associates know they are highly valued, they are passionate about producing great outcomes for clients.”
Other Wisconsin-based companies on this year’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list include: S.C. Johnson and Quad/Graphics.
A Great Place to Work
Baird’s efforts to provide a great workplace start with the firm’s culture, which incorporates the shared values of honesty, integrity and genuine concern for clients and respect for associates. Baird actively encourages associates to find a balance between work, home and the community, and provides perks such as flexible work arrangements, tuition reimbursement, and online and classroom training through the firm’s in-house Baird University.
Core to Baird’s culture is a commitment to the communities in which its associates live and work. This caring commitment is a tradition built through the efforts of the firm, the Baird Foundation and the volunteer activities of Baird associates. As evidence of this commitment, 96 percent of Baird’s Milwaukee-area associates gave to the most recent local United Way campaign and the United Performing Arts Fund in 2006. To recognize the generosity and commitment of Baird associates, the United Performing Arts Fund created the Robert W. Baird Outstanding Achievement in Employee Giving Award in 2005.
To build upon this tradition, Baird recently introduced a firmwide Charitable Gift Matching Program that provides a match for associates’ financial contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations. In addition, through the “Baird Cares” program, which was recently expanded to Baird offices in Europe and Asia, associates receive an additional paid day off each year to perform volunteer service.
About Baird
Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has approximately 2,200 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of nearly $70 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird was recognized as one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Baird is also a sponsor of the 2007 Great Place to Work(R) Conference, an annual learning and networking event that features leaders who have created award-winning workplaces. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s private equity operations.
