CLEVELAND– Everstream, the business-only fiber network, has earned NorthCoast 99 honors for the fifth time, recognizing the company among Northeast Ohio’s best workplaces for top talent in 2021.
“Every member of our team takes pride in Everstream’s commitment to ‘Do What You Say You Will Do.’ We are honored to be recognized for our culture and our people,” said Everstream CEO Brett Lindsey. “Our team has grown by more than 50% and our footprint continues to expand every day. We believe in investing in our team and are thankful for their efforts and dedication.”
NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program and event that honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. Recipients participated in a rigorous application process that reviews detailed information regarding how each organization addresses top-performer attraction, development and retention in six key areas: organizational strategy, policies and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition and onboarding; employee well-being; employee engagement and talent development; total rewards; and diversity, equity and inclusion.
To effectively manage talent retention, Everstream doubled its in-house Human Resources team last year — including adding two HR Business Partners to provide day-to-day support to Everstream’s team members across its markets.
For top performers, Everstream is committed to promoting 20% of its internal workforce annually — giving these team members an opportunity to grow and further their careers while remaining key assets to the company. In 2020, Everstream announced 47 internal promotions, with 28 of those being in leadership. Notably, seven individual contributors were promoted to first-time leadership roles within Everstream, nine existing leaders were promoted to the next level up, and 12 existing leaders were promoted through transfers to new departments.
“Talent wins in today’s labor market,” said Kelly Keefe, President of ERC, who oversees the program. “The NorthCoast 99 winners know this so they continue to build progressive and innovative HR practices and benefits to attract and retain the best and brightest. We’re thrilled to recognize the 2021 winning organizations and look forward to sharing their success stories.”
In addition, Everstream:
- Implemented a Manager Tool Kit along with training for first-time, front-line supervisors to ensure leaders are set up to succeed.
- Hosts a New Leader Start Up, an HR-facilitated discussion designed to have the new manager get to know their direct reports and give the employees an opportunity to communicate to the new leader about who they are as a team and what expectations they have.
- Conducted a pilot program where newly promoted directors worked with an external professional coach, providing the directors one-on-one coaching as well as sessions with each other to maximize camaraderie and the learning process.
- Provided a six-month executive coaching program for two executives and newly promoted senior leadership with an outside professional coach.
The 2021 NorthCoast 99 Awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CareerCurve; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Gino’s Awards; Impact Architects; Maloney + Novotny; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; UKG; and Wayfind Creative.