Skip to main content
MENU
Subscribe
  • Login
  • My Account
  • Logout
  • Register For Free
  • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Alternatives
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • CIOs
    • Consultants
    • Defined Contribution
    • ESG
    • Face to Face
    • Hedge Funds
    • Industry Voices
    • Investing
    • Money Management
    • Partner Content
    • Private Credit
    • Pension Funds
    • Private Equity
    • Real Estate
    • Regulation
    • Special Reports
    • Washington
    • White Papers
  • International
    • U.K.
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Australia - New Zealand
    • Middle East
    • Latin America
    • Africa
  • Rankings & Awards
    • 1,000 Largest Retirement Plans
    • Top-Performing Managers
    • Largest Money Managers
    • DC Money Managers
    • DC Record Keepers
    • Largest Hedge Fund Managers
    • World's Largest Retirement Funds
    • Best Places to Work in Money Management
    • Excellence & Innovation Awards
    • WPS Innovation Awards
    • Influential Women in Institutional Investing 2024
    • Eddy Awards
  • Resource Guides
    • Active Thematic Global Equities
    • Retirement Income
    • Fixed Income
    • Pension Risk Transfer
    • Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs)
  • ETFs
    • Latest ETF News
    • Fund Screener
    • Education Center
    • Equities
    • Fixed Income
    • Commodities
    • Actively Managed
    • Alternatives
    • ESG Rated
  • ESG
    • Latest ESG News
    • The Institutional Investor’s Guide to ESG Investing
    • ESG Sustainability - Gaining Momentum
    • ESG Investing | Industry Brief
    • Innovation in ESG Investing
    • ESG Rated ETFs
    • Divestment Database
  • Defined Contribution
    • Latest DC News
    • The Plan Sponsor's Guide to Retirement Income
    • DC Money Manager Rankings
    • DC Record Keeper Rankings
    • Innovations in DC
    • DC Plan Design: Improving Participant Outcomes
  • Searches & Hires
    • Latest Searches & Hires News
    • Searches & Hires Database
    • RFPs
  • Research Center
    • The P&I Research Center
    • Earnings Tracker
    • Endowment Returns Tracker
    • Corporate Pension Contribution Tracker
    • Pension Fund Returns Tracker
    • Pension Risk Transfer Database
  • Careers
  • Events
    • View All Conferences
    • View All Webinars
  • Print
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. MONEY MANAGEMENT
December 11, 2017 12:00 AM

Communication a key thread for winners

Companies keep lines open and find new ways to engage employees

Sophie Baker
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Reprints Print
    Balentine's lunch and learn series allows the workers to expand their horizons.

    Money managers and investment consultants are finding more innovative ways to ensure employees are kept in the loop.

    Pensions & Investments' Best Places to Work in Money Management survey found many firms are communicating and engaging with their employees in an increasingly digital way, tapping companywide intranet to stream meetings, town halls and other corporate news to desktop computers — no matter where employees are located.

    A number of initiatives stood out in this year's survey, including extracurricular activities designed to engage employees in the form of educational seminars and lunchtime briefings, happy hours and barista-quality coffeehouses.

    A 2017 winner in the Best Places to Work program, Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC take the responsibility to communicate what's going on in the business seriously — particularly as it moved to a 100% employee-owned company through an employee stock ownership plan last year. Cornerstone, which employs 28, also was named a BPTW winner in 2016.

    "We do see it as a responsibility to (communicate) since everyone owns a piece of the organization," said CEO Thomas J. Scalici.

    One way of doing that is through its "Cornerstone University" initiative. The initiative builds off one of the firm's principles, thought leadership, "and everyone is or can be a thought leader in their particular area of expertise," he said.

    Executives encourage employees to present at Cornerstone University for a number of reasons, including: knowledge transfer and cross training, awareness of services and capabilities across the firm, and helping employees feel comfortable in presenting to others.

    "There is also good camaraderie because we buy lunch for everyone," added Mr. Scalici.

    Classes vary in topic, including presentations on compliance and the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule. Mr. Scalici also presents. "It is a more structured way … to share intellectual capital throughout the firm."

    Mr. Scalici said he and Malcolm "Skip" Cowen II, president, also spend about an 90 minutes with each employee at the end of the year to discuss their career goals. "What new skills do you need, how much do you want to be making — it gets people to project forward as opposed to looking backward."

    Lunch, learn – and more

    BPTW winners also make liberal use of food and drinks to help foster communication and engagement policies.

    For example, employee-owned money manager Balentine LLC, now a four-time winner in the BPTW program, runs a "lunch and learn" series to "ensure that all employees are knowledgeable about the services that we, as a firm, offer our clients," said Robert M. Balentine, chairman and CEO.

    Topics range from the Atlanta-based firm's new financial planning software; to GIPS compliance; to a presentation by a young team member whose background was in the music industry. She created a presentation to show parallels between music and finance industries, Mr. Balentine said.

    "We also like to keep it fun, like when senior investment analyst Ben Webb created an interactive game to teach everyone how reinsurance works. Not only do our lunch-and-learns educate the entire staff, but they also provide an opportunity for team members to hone their public speaking skills and build confidence," he said.

    The series at the 32-member firm now encompasses outside speakers, such as 401(k) plan professionals, estate planning attorneys and even a psychologist to talk about children and money.

    Sharing knowledge and coffee is a tool for Spectrum Investment Advisors Inc., where executives at the Mequon, Wis.-based firm have a few favorite expressions, said James Marshall, president and founder.

    One is "celebrate the wins," and the other is "enjoy the ride."

    The firm's headquarters, built almost six years ago, features a large coffeehouse. "What started out as a lunchroom became a break room, became a coffeehouse, became an experience," said Mr. Marshall.

    The firm, making its first appearance on the BPTW list, runs seminars in the coffeehouse covering markets, "something we need to know" such as social security, and "something fun." This year, "we had an Army Ranger that fought at Black Hawk Down," Mr. Marshall said, referring to the 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia.

    At these seminars, barista-quality lattes and other coffee drinks are served.

    The 21-employee firm also hosts a "Go Meeting" every Monday morning to discuss goings-on at the firm, what was achieved in the previous week and what is to come. Every employee goes over what they are doing, so the "left hand knows what the right hand is doing," added Mr. Marshall.

    Making its third appearance as a Best Places to Work winner, LaSalle Investment Management executives also recognize the benefits of eating and drinking together in the workplace.

    Chicago-based Jason Kern, CEO-Americas, who oversees $18 billion of the firm's $58.1 billion global assets under management, said LaSalle's "happy hour concept came about sort of out of necessity, I felt. There are plenty of different meetings that happen in the normal course of our business … That is great for keeping people informed and in touch, but often fails to reach across the organization" in terms of levels of seniority and business groups, he said.

    Happy hour was started to help bring people together in the firm's previous office building in Chicago, where the layout was a set of "rabbit warrens," cubicles and large structural elements that impeded views. Mr. Kern said this naturally led to a silo mentality. The company employs 264 in the U.S.

    So when the firm moved to its new global headquarters in Chicago, an open floor plan was deployed. Gone were the cubicles with high walls and obstacles in sightlines.

    And the cafe is significantly bigger than before. Employees get their "really good coffee and food" and chat in the café. It has "greatly increased the communication flow," Mr. Kern said.

    New York-based chairman and CEO at Neuberger Berman George H. Walker even hosts informal dinners at his home with employees. Mr. Walker also answers all of his emails directly. Neuberger, which employs about 1,500 in the U.S., is making its fifth appearance in Best Places to Work.

    "Our CEO answers all his emails directly—sometimes to the surprise of employees—never turns down an impromptu chat in the cafeteria, and frequently does update videos and town halls for all," said Heather Zuckerman, managing director and chief administration officer at the firm in New York. "We also see great value in more personal engagements, including when our CEO hosts informal dinners at his house with a smaller, cross functional group of employees. These dinners help build strong relationships, while also presenting a more relaxed environment to gather feedback and ideas, ask questions and dig deeper on subjects that are relevant to the group."

    Overcoming distance barriers

    A number of the firms in this year's survey highlighted efforts to ensure employees across the globe are involved and engaged in all they do.

    And the importance of keeping satellite-office-based employees in the loop comes from experience of the firms' top executives.

    Maribeth S. Rahe, president and CEO at Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. in Cincinnati, has completed "two tours of duty" in offices outside of headquarters in her previous jobs with other firms.

    "Leadership begins at the top — the tone that a satellite office takes is very much dependent on ... that they be included and communicated with," she said. "It comes from HQ. It is particularly challenging when (offices are) in different continents and time zones. So I'm very cognizant about that."

    Fort Washington, with 135 employees, has two new offices — one in Albany, N.Y., and the other in San Francisco. "We're even talking about how we shift some of our standard meetings (to better accommodate varying time zones) — we want them to feel involved," said Ms. Rahe.

    One of the first things done for those offices was to install video conferencing. "It's so much nicer when you get to see people," she said.

    Ms. Rahe is also keen to focus on engaging younger staff members, something the firm does through its "Fresh Network."

    This group of young professionals prepares recommendations for senior management aimed at enhancing the firm: from community outreach and social events, to an innovation idea exchange through a recent "Shark Tank" event, she said.

    Executives also recommended an overhaul to the firm's orientation process. "They determined we could do a better job of on-boarding employees," Ms. Rahe said.

    The Fresh Network put together a need-to-know list of strategies and people at the firm "That has been invaluable," Ms. Rahe said.

    Fort Washington is a four-time winner in the BPTW program.

    Mr. Balentine also has previous experience of working in a satellite office, being based out of Atlanta in a former role while other executives were in Delaware.

    "I understand what it's like to be on the other side of the speakerphone," he said.

    "Therefore, Balentine insists upon using video conferencing whenever possible for team meetings. Being able to read facial expressions, body language … all the essential non-verbal cues — in addition to tone and inflection is so much more effective than solely relying on email," he added

    And there is of course space and time for non-work related activities to promote employee engagement. Balentine holds an annual Halloween party in the Atlanta office. "A remote employee who was unable to attend in person still dressed her son in his duck costume and FaceTimed with us.

    "While it takes a bit more effort ... we have found that engagement is a choice and not simply a byproduct of proximity," he said.

    Related Articles
    Diversity pays dividends that are priceless
    More best places than ever ...
    How the Best Places to Work survey was done
    Diversity pays dividends that are priceless
    More best places than ever ...
    How the Best Places to Work survey was done
    Recommended for You
    Protest in Pakistan
    India-Pakistan tensions short-lived, but investors worry conflict may expand
    BlackRock's Larry Fink sees volatility lingering even as trade tensions ease
    BlackRock's Larry Fink sees volatility lingering even as trade tensions ease
    Logos for Hub International, Alpha Wave Global, Temasek and T. Rowe Price.
    T. Rowe Price, Temasek, Alpha Wave back HUB International with minority investments
    Sponsored
    White Papers
    The State of Lifetime Income Report
    The Next Wave of LDI Evolution
    Retirement security to future income wins, TIAA brings you the latest financial…
    U.S. Public Funds Top Performers: Q2 2024
    Generative AI Investing: Opportunities at a Key Tech Inflection Point
    Research for Institutional Money Management: Advancing Physical Risk Modelling,…
    View More
    Sponsored Content
    Partner Content
    The Industrialization of ESG Investment
    For institutional investors, ETFs can make meeting liquidity needs easier
    Gold: the most effective commodity investment
    2021 Investment Outlook | Investing Beyond the Pandemic: A Reset for Portfolios
    Ten ways retirement plan professionals add value to plan sponsors
    Gold: an efficient hedge
    View More
    E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS

    Sign up and get the best of News delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    Subscribe Today
    October 23, 2023 page one

    Get access to the news, research and analysis of events affecting the retirement and institutional money management businesses from a worldwide network of reporters and editors.

    Subscribe
    Connect With Us
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn

    Our Mission

    To consistently deliver news, research and analysis to the executives who manage the flow of funds in the institutional investment market.

    About Us

    Main Office
    685 Third Avenue
    Tenth Floor
    New York, NY 10017-4036

    Chicago Office
    130 E. Randolph St.
    Suite 3200
    Chicago, IL 60601

    Contact Us

    Careers at Crain

    About Pensions & Investments

     

    Advertising
    • Media Kit
    • P&I Custom Content
    • P&I Careers | Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • FAQ
    • P&I Research Center
    • Site map
    • Staff Directory
    Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Request
    Pensions & Investments
    Copyright © 1996-2025. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Topics
      • Alternatives
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • CIOs
      • Consultants
      • Defined Contribution
      • ESG
      • Face to Face
      • Hedge Funds
      • Industry Voices
      • Investing
      • Money Management
      • Partner Content
      • Private Credit
      • Pension Funds
      • Private Equity
      • Real Estate
      • Regulation
      • Special Reports
      • Washington
      • White Papers
    • International
      • U.K.
      • Canada
      • Europe
      • Asia
      • Australia - New Zealand
      • Middle East
      • Latin America
      • Africa
    • Rankings & Awards
      • 1,000 Largest Retirement Plans
      • Top-Performing Managers
      • Largest Money Managers
      • DC Money Managers
      • DC Record Keepers
      • Largest Hedge Fund Managers
      • World's Largest Retirement Funds
      • Best Places to Work in Money Management
      • Excellence & Innovation Awards
      • WPS Innovation Awards
      • Influential Women in Institutional Investing 2024
      • Eddy Awards
    • Resource Guides
      • Active Thematic Global Equities
      • Retirement Income
      • Fixed Income
      • Pension Risk Transfer
      • Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs)
    • ETFs
      • Latest ETF News
      • Fund Screener
      • Education Center
      • Equities
      • Fixed Income
      • Commodities
      • Actively Managed
      • Alternatives
      • ESG Rated
    • ESG
      • Latest ESG News
      • The Institutional Investor’s Guide to ESG Investing
      • ESG Sustainability - Gaining Momentum
      • ESG Investing | Industry Brief
      • Innovation in ESG Investing
      • ESG Rated ETFs
      • Divestment Database
    • Defined Contribution
      • Latest DC News
      • The Plan Sponsor's Guide to Retirement Income
      • DC Money Manager Rankings
      • DC Record Keeper Rankings
      • Innovations in DC
      • DC Plan Design: Improving Participant Outcomes
    • Searches & Hires
      • Latest Searches & Hires News
      • Searches & Hires Database
      • RFPs
    • Research Center
      • The P&I Research Center
      • Earnings Tracker
      • Endowment Returns Tracker
      • Corporate Pension Contribution Tracker
      • Pension Fund Returns Tracker
      • Pension Risk Transfer Database
    • Careers
    • Events
      • View All Conferences
      • View All Webinars
    • Print