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Each of these companies; HLB Lighting, IntrustIT, Jenner AG, KAAPKE, and Kiolbassa Smoked Meats are part of a growing community of Great Game™companies who have reimagined capitalism as a transformational force for good. Each year, the Great Game Community recognizes companies like these who have the courage to do business differently. They are using the power of business to transform their associate's lives and the communities which they serve, for the better. They are part of a movement that's trying to 'Change the Game'.
We can't wait to introduce you to all our All-Star Team companies. Last week we introduced you to 1st Pet Vet, 417 Magazine, AMBAC International, Argent Tape and Label, Cherry's Industrial Equipment, Cisco-Eagle, Clarke EyeCare Center, CM's Outdoor Solutions, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Pregnancy Care Center, Victory + Mission, Dragon Army, English Tea Shop, Evergreen Cooperatives, Experity, and Goodall Homes. Now, read the next 5 case studies and watch for the remaining 8 to come your way!
Organization Background
HLB Lighting Design is the largest independent architectural lighting design firm in North America. HLB, which got its start in 1968, is an acronym for the last names of the three of the founders of the firm Barbara Horton, Stephen Lees, and Teal Brogden. While the firm’s original office was in New York City, the firm has since expanded with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Denver, and Austin. They also employ other remote workers who are deployed across the country.
Challenge
HLB has always been proud to have a forward-thinking and inclusive culture; what they call “HLB One,” which is based on the value pillars of: Leadership, Artistry, Legacy, Integrity, Balance, and Curiosity. The team saw an opportunity to expand a deeper knowledge among employees about how HLB generates revenue and creates balance as a way to reduce financial risks and preserve valuable resources in economic downturns.
Organization Background
Intrust IT, which was founded in 1992, provides information technology support for small and medium-sized businesses that can’t afford an IT department of their own. The firm boasts more than 100 customers, most of whom reside in the greater Cincinnati area.
Challenge
Better educate employees about finances and making money—especially as the company has evolved into an ESOP.
Organization Background
Jenner Ag, the Case IH Agriculture Application Equipment Distributor for the states of Illinois and Indiana—a consolidation of four different companies—has been serving its customers for 59 years and counting.
Challenge
While the business, which operates out of three locations, has been successful over the long haul, it was looking for a system that would get everyone inside the company rowing in the same direction—during good times, and bad ones as with the continued downturn in the agriculture economy.
Organization Background
KAAPKE Holding is currently organizing its business model into two operating subsidiaries: KAAPKE Strategie GmbH and KAAPKE Marketing GmbH. They are a leading brand developing company in Germany, specializing in working for companies in the “German Mittelstand.” The company develops strategies for brand positioning, brand-conforming design, and communication campaigns.
Challenge
Founder Timo Kaapke wanted to create a framework that allowed everyone inside the business to be able to make decisions as independently and as decentralized as possible—which he hoped would result in more decisions made better and more rapidly.
Organization Background
The company is a fast-growing craft manufacturer of authentic premium sausage and food products. The company’s sausages, which are often described as “the best sausage I’ve ever had in my life,” are now sold across the U.S. and Mexico.
Challenge
Back in 2014, extreme fluctuations in the prices of commodities created havoc at Kiolbassa—especially for its president, Michael Kiolbassa. While he had members of his team clamoring to invest in more facilities and operations, Kiolbassa knew that the business needed something even more important: cash. “I was also feeling the pain of being the only one in the business who understood the financials,” says Kiolbassa, whose grandfather started the business in 1949.
// JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER TO SEE WHO TAKES HOME THE FOLLOWING TITLES
Rookie of the Year – This award recognizes those companies that have been practicing open-book management and The Great Game of Business for less than two years and have already achieved some remarkable results.
Social Sector Award – This award honors a social sector organization -a not-for-profit, education, government entity - playing The Great Game of Business at a high level, proving that The Game can be effective and impactful in all types of organizations.
Hall of Fame Inductee – The Hall of Fame honors organizations that have operated using the principles of open-book management for more than a decade with lasting, proven results, and have demonstrated a willingness to spread the word on open-book management in order to help others succeed.
All-Star Champions Award - The cornerstone of the All-Star Awards, the winners of the All-Star Champions Award are the best of the best. They have been playing GGOB at a high level for two or more years, and as a result have seen impressive results in their financial performance and their company culture.
International All-Star Champion (new for 2020!) - To encourage the participation of our international practitioners and recognize the expansion of our global GGOB community, our judges thought it was time to add this category to the awards.
Click this banner to read all 29 All-Star Case Studies for 2020.
Would you like to be on the All-Star Team next year?
Here is the criteria you will be judged against:
- Great Game Methodology: How well the company has employed the core practices of The Great Game of Business®;
- Financial Performance as compared to industry benchmarks;
- Culture Change: How well the company has done in creating a stronger culture and a better place to work;
- Compelling Story: How compelling is the company’s story considering their accomplishments, including any events that they’ve overcome and uniqueness in applying the practices of GGOB;
- GGOB Scorecard survey results which represents the employees’ perspective on their practice of GGOB/OBM)
