Thank you for participating in the Best Companies to Work For Survey

1. Thank you for participating in the Best Companies to Work For Survey Thank you for participating in this year’s Seattle Business Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For research study. The following report summarizes your company’s survey results and provides data with which your company can compare its performance against other companies. The study was managed and implemented by Ipsos and Seattle Business Magazine and the reporting was prepared independently by Ipsos, an international market research company. If you have any questions about the study, you can contact Leslie Helm at Seattle Business. If you have any questions about the reporting, please contact Shannon von Trotha from Ipsos. Happy Reading! Leslie Helm Shannon von TrothaEditor Research ManagerSeattle Business Magazine Ipsos206-452-2966 425-454-1362

2. Company x Seattle Business Magazine

3. Report Outline • Background, Objectives and Methodology 4 • Executive Summary 7 • Top Level Results 9 • Detailed Results 13 • Employee Comments 24 • Appendix 26 • Detailed Methodology 27 • Employee Questionnaire 29

4. Background, Objectives and Methodology

5. Background and Objectives Background • Every year, Seattle Business Magazine conducts a survey among employees and management of companies throughout the state of Washington. • Survey results are provided to each individual company, so companies can compare their employees’ perceptions and satisfaction with other companies of similar size and industry. • Seattle Business Magazine showcases the survey results and honors the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the July issue of its magazine. Objectives • Measure perceptions and satisfaction across 50 individual attributes within 10 general employment topics. • Identify the level of importance of 10 general employment topics. • Provide visual comparison of the results by the following: • Company size (small vs. medium vs. large); • Industry average; and, • Total respondents that take the survey.

6. Methodology • Online questionnaire fielded between February 5th and March 3rd, 2009: • The questionnaire was developed by Seattle Business Magazine and an independent research company, Ipsos; • Fielding and data collection was completed by Ipsos; and • The questionnaire took approximately 10 to 15 minutes for respondents to complete. • Eligible respondents included: • Full-time equivalent employees; and, • All working in the state of Washington. • Number of completed surveys: • Data analysis and reporting were completed by independent research company, Ipsos.

7. Executive Summary

8. Average Scores by Key Categories Q1-10. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement. These scores are the average of the five scores given to the five attributes within each of the ten general employment categories.  Please see the Detailed Results section for further breakdown within each category.

9. Level of Importance Employees Place on Key Categories Q12. How important are the following topics to you personally when it comes to the company you work for? Please select one response for each topic on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Not at all important” and 10 is “Very important.”

10. Perceived Level of Importance Company Places on Key Categories Q13. In your opinion, how much importance does your company place on each of the following topics? Please select one response for each topic on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “No importance,” and 10 is “Strong Importance.”

11. Detailed Results

12. Communication Our company encourages... Q1. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

13. Training and Education Our company promotes employee development by... Q2. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

14. Responsibility and Decision-making Our company fosters an environment in which employees... Q3. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

15. Performance Standards The performance standards in our company are... Q4. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

16. Rewards and Recognition Our company provides... Q5. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

17. Benefits Our benefits package is designed to meet the needs of all employees and includes... Q6. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

18. Leadership The leadership in our company... Q7. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

19. Work Environment Our company’s working environment... Q8. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

20. Hiring and Retention Our company offers... Q9. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

21. Corporate Culture Our company has developed a culture that... Q10. Using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree completely” and 10 is “Agree completely.” Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement.

22. Employee Comments

23. Employee Comments • Please provide any additional comments and feedback on your company below. Please be as specific as possible. Double-click on the slide to see ALL of the verbatims Q14. Please provide any additional comments and feedback on your company below. Please be as specific as possible.

24. Appendix

25. Detailed Methodology Research Design and Methodology • An online survey of employees with 102 nominated companies in Washington was fielded between February 5th and March 3rd, 2009. Those eligible to take part in the survey were considered full-time equivalent employees who work in the state of Washington. The “total” overall sample represented in the following report includes approximately 10,000 employees. Sampling Frames • Once the email survey invitation was created, it was sent to the primary contact at each firm. This invitation included instructions for administering the survey. The primary contact emailed the survey link to the employees in order to take part in the survey. • For overall analysis, Ipsos segmented the data files, dividing companies by size (small, medium, large – or non-profit) and industry to establish comparable findings by company size for participants. The data was also analyzed across all companies combined to develop overall findings for Seattle Business Magazine and participating companies. • Company size was determined based on the total number of employees in the state of Washington (not solely full-time equivalent employees). Companies were segmented by company size using the following cut points: small – 2 to 99 employees, medium – 100 to 499 employees, and large – 500 or more employees. Non-profit firms were categorized separately. • Industry was determined based the industry that was selected in the corporate survey that was completed by the company’s contact who administered the survey to its employees.

26. Detailed Methodology (cont.) Employee Confidentiality • Ipsos took every reasonable step possible to protect the confidentiality of employee responses, especially verbatim comments, to safeguard participants as well as the overall credibility and usefulness of the results. Data Quality • The online surveys were collected using Internet survey software, and the data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Program for the Social Sciences). Data was continually monitored to ensure that the data collected was of the highest quality. Performance Scores by Category • The overall performance score of each of the ten categories was calculated by averaging the five scores of each component that makes up each category. • For example, the total performance score of the Benefits category (Q6) is the average of the performance scores of comprehensive medical plans, dental plans, retirement savings programs, paid vacations/sick leave/sabbaticals/personal time off and flexible working hours/telecommuting/job-sharing opportunities.

27. Employee Questionnaire Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select one response for each statement. Each statement is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Disagree Completely” and 10 is “Agree Completely.” Q1. Communication Our company encourages … • Sharing “good news” and “bad news” without blaming or fault-finding • Informal discussions and opportunities for spontaneous conversations • Keeping employees informed about all aspects of the business and financials • Management to be visible and accessible to employees • Prompt response to employees’ questions, suggestions, and feedback Q2. Training and Education Our company promotes employee development by … • Reimbursing educational and training expenses incurred for degrees and certificates • Providing, or making available, professional, technical, management & skills training • Training mentors to provide on-the-job training to peers and new employees • Encouraging employees to share their expertise with others • Building alliances with educational and training resources in the community

28. Employee Questionnaire (cont.) Q3. Responsibility and Decision-Making Our company fosters an environment in which employees … • Accept responsibility and take personal accountability for results • Take reasonable risks in getting the job done for the customer or client • Make the necessary decisions to get the job done effectively • Try new ideas, solve problems, and contribute to the “bottom line” • Work together in self-managing teams to achieve business goals Q4. Performance Standards The performance standards in our company are … • Discussed with employees and mutually agreed upon • Reviewed with employees throughout the year and updated to reflect changes • Challenging but attainable • Measurable and consistent with company objectives • Well-defined and direct performance toward desired results

29. Employee Questionnaire (continued) Q5. Rewards and Recognition Our company provides … • Competitive and equitable salaries/wages to all employees • Performance-based compensation for individual contributors • Bonuses for excellent team performance • Profit sharing to all employees • Recognition to individuals and groups appropriate to the occasion Q6. Benefits Our benefits package is designed to meet the needs of all employees and includes … • Comprehensive medical plans • Comprehensive dental plans • Comprehensive retirement savings program (such as 401K and 403B) • Paid vacations, sick leaves, sabbaticals, or personal time off • Flexible working hours, telecommuting, or job-sharing opportunities

30. Employee Questionnaire (cont.) Q7. Leadership The leadership of our company … • Serves as good role models and inspires others to do well • Encourages team spirit and fosters cooperation among departments • Respects employees and their opinions, promoting diversity in the workplace • Encourages employees to take leadership roles in getting the job done • Builds strong relationships based on trust, honesty and integrity Q8. Work Environment Our company’s working environment … • Makes employees feel proud to work here • Encourages creativity and brainstorming • Is comfortable and safe • Fosters informal discussions and employee interaction • Reflects a balance between work and personal needs

31. Employee Questionnaire (cont.) Q9. Hiring and Retention Our company offers … • Fair employment practices that encourage diversity (race, sex, age, disabilities) • Opportunities for employees to advance within the company • A competitive turnover rate for our industry (10=low turnover and 1=high) • Comprehensive orientation sessions for new employees • A formalized program for identifying future leaders Q10. Corporate Culture Our company has developed a culture that … • Encourages employees to act and think independently • Demands accountability from employees at all levels of the organization • Focuses on the long-term, rather than short-term success of the firm • Allows an employee to act on their convictions • Avoids making new policies and procedures for every new problem

32. Employee Questionnaire (cont.) Q12. How important are the following topics to you personally when it comes to the company you work for? Please select one response for each topic. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Not at all important,” and 10 is “very important.” • Communication • Training and Education • Responsibility and Decision-Making • Performance Standards • Rewards and Recognition • Benefits • Leadership • Work Environment • Hiring and Retention • Corporate Culture

33. Employee Questionnaire (cont.) Q13. In your opinion, how much importance does your company place on each of the following topics? Please select one response for each topic. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is “Not at all important,” and 10 is “very important.” • Communication • Training and Education • Responsibility and Decision-Making • Performance Standards • Rewards and Recognition • Benefits • Leadership • Work Environment • Hiring and Retention • Corporate Culture Q14. Please provide any additional comments and feedback on your company below. Please be as specific as possible.