Flexibility Expands Business Potential

Last week the Salt Lake Chamber hosted the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. The Sloan National Initiative defines workplace flexibility as the ability to have flexibility in the scheduling of hours and in the number of hours worked. It also includes the ability to have career flexibility with multiple points for entry, exit and reentry into the workforce; and to address unexpected and ongoing personal and family needs. This is more than a trend in the workplace, this is the future of doing business.

This event recognized 16 winners and honorable mentions. Lavanya Mahate, programs director for the Salt Lake Chamber says this is "the highest number of awards given since inception of the program in 2004 and indicates real growth and awareness in this area."

The Utah businesses receiving the Sloan Award are trend setters in establishing policies and standards that increase productivity, bottom line and employee satisfaction. I commend their leadership in this area, especially the following EDCUtah partners and investors that received awards:

• The Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)
• Cactus & Tropicals
• Cooper Roberts Simonsen Associates, Inc.
• SelectHealth

Honorable Mention: Enterprise Rent-a-Car Co. of Utah--EDCUtah Investor

Other Utah companies receiving awards included: AAA Fair Credit Foundation, Cafe Rio, Employer Solutions Group, Intermountain Financial Group/Mass Mutual, Intermountain Healthcare, McKinnon-Mulherin, Redmond Inc., Stayner Bates & Jensen,1-800-Contacts. Honorable Mentions: Backcountry.com and Verizon Wireless.

On another subject, our feature story this week highlights the recipients of this year's Match Grant Program awards, which were selected on Monday. We are pleased to recognize the recipients for their efforts to enhance economic development efforts and programs within their local communities.