ABRC-ESOP

ESOP companies long ago learned what many companies are just now learning; you can offer all the benefits in the world, but the one that matters most to employees is a piece of the action. Of the 18 honorees in Winning Workplaces' fourth annual Best Bosses competition, 14 run companies partly or completely worker-owned. That reflects a broader trend. The National Center for Employee Ownership estimates that 9,225 U.S. companies are offering stock-option plans, stock bonus plans, and profit-sharing plans as of July, up from 7,600 in 1999.

ESOPs are a very economical way to provide this benefit to employees as well as provide growth opportunities for the sponsoring company.

This year, Winning Workplaces has teamed with the Wall Street Journal's new "Startup Journal" to solicit nominations for "Winning Workplaces 2007." If you are an ESOP company, you can nominate your own company or submit a nomination for a company you think is deserving. To complete the nomination form, visit http://www.winningworkplaces.org/bestbossesaward/howtoapply.php.

posted by evan@abrc-esop.com  # 7:55 AM