2024 UNbelievable Workplaces

CB CHAMBER CELEBRATES COUNCIL BLUFFS’ TWENTY AWARDED UNBELIEVABLE WORKPLACES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 7, 2024

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce recognized 23 area businesses as UNbelievable Workplaces on Wednesday, March 6th.

UNbelievable Workplaces is an initiative aimed at enhancing employee satisfaction for local businesses. Businesses gain insights from their workforce, fostering a desirable workplace culture and highlighting their commitment to employee well-being through the designation as an UNbelievable Workplace.

Understanding workplace culture and addressing employees' needs effectively increases engagement and retention. According to Forbes, the cost of employee turnover is significant. Regularly surveying employee engagement and satisfaction can mitigate this cost. "Engaged employees are happier, more productive, and exhibit higher retention rates," says Alicia Stultz, Workforce Development Director for the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses that participate in the UNbelievable Workplaces program receive comprehensive reports, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The Chamber recommends conducting surveys at least once a year, along with ongoing check-ins with associates.

Qualifications for the UNbelievable Workplace designation include reporting associate numbers and turnover, achieving a 60% response rate to the survey, and maintaining a 60% or higher score on 75% of the questions.

Promoting this distinction to potential applicants strengthens businesses' recruitment and retention strategies. Chris LaFerla, President & CEO of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce and The 712 Initiative, underscores the importance of building a resilient workforce for the region.

“Building a resilient workforce is one of the most important challenges facing our region today, and the Chamber is committed to partnering with our members to improve employee engagement and retention,” says Chris LaFerla, President & CEO of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce and The 712 Initiative. 
“Thank you to our sponsors for making this program possible, and to all of the businesses who participated!”

The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce acknowledges 23 businesses as UNbelievable Workplaces, including:

Large Businesses
Iowa Western Community College
Medium Businesses
American Games
Lewis Central Community School District
International Gamco
Midstates Bank
Midlands Living Center
Small Businesses
All Care Health Center
American PCS Inc
Avenue Scholars Southwest Iowa
BAT Logistics
Centro Latino of Iowa
Community Foundation for Western Iowa
Council Bluffs Schools Foundation
FAMILY, Inc.
HGM Associates and HGM Associates, Council Bluffs Location
Iowa West Foundation
Life Dimensions by Ilona
New Visions Homeless Services
Omaha/Council Bluffs Bridges Out of Poverty
Omni Dental Centre
The Best Wrestler
Vander Haag’s Inc
Willson & Pechacek, PLC

Promoting this distinction to potential applicants strengthens businesses' recruitment and retention strategies “This is the second year that American Games and International Gamco have participated in the UNbelievable Workplace program.  We were able to utilize our 1st year’s certification in our marketing and recruiting efforts and have been very successful in hiring and retaining staff.” States Jim Meyer with American Games and International Gamco. “We continue to learn from the feedback our employees provide to us in an anonymous format and plan to continue to do so annually to enable constant refinement and improvement in our operations.”

Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation contributed "Our mission is to create communities where people love to live, and their careers are a large part of that equation. I'm thrilled for Iowa West to be named an Unbelievable Workplace for the fourth year in a row, and pleased to see so many other employers who are creating positive and supportive work cultures in the community."

Chamber members have the opportunity to participate in the UNbelievable Workplaces survey annually.  Registration for the next round of UNbelievable Workplaces will be available in December 2024. 

For more information regarding how your business or organization can participate in this program, please contact Alicia Stultz, Workforce Development Director at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, at (712) 325-1000 or alicia@councilbluffsiowa.com.

To find out more about the program or view photos, please visit www.UNbelievableWorkplacesCB.com
 
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