Best Places to Work 2007: Ollis & Co.

Inquiring minds at Ollis & Co. want to know how much water, fresh fruit and exercise its employees get each day as part of the company’s stepped-up efforts to encourage wellness in the workplace.

Two years ago, Ollis tweaked its wellness program – which already offered such perks as access to flu shots and in-house exercise equipment – to emphasize additional aspects of good health.

Employees are educated, for instance, on the importance of enough water intake and adequate sleep. Fresh fruit is provided daily. Everyone has a company-provided pedometer to count how many steps are taken each day; with 5,000 being the goal. Exercise of all kinds is encouraged, and employees fill out forms to track of their wellness progress.

“It has really taken off,” said Richard Ollis, president and CEO. “It is a very strong incentive to participate. You don’t have to, but I’ll tell you we have 100 percent participation in our wellness (program).”

At the beginning of this year, Ollis embarked on an 18-month leadership training program that’s mandatory for all employees, particularly since they’re also the company’s owners under an employee stock ownership plan instituted in 1994.

For each session, the trainer discusses such topics as personal goal-setting and what defines leadership and how it’s exhibited.

“We have a lot of educational sessions, but I will tell you this is the most in-depth and interesting (effort) we’ve ever undertaken,” Ollis said.

Ollis & Co. already equips its employees with the tools to do their jobs – employees have dual monitors and printer-copier-scanners at their workstations – and the intensive training aims to take workplace culture up a notch.

“I would say that we feel – in order for our business to get to the next level – we really needed to make an investment in our staff and not just on a technical level,” Ollis said.

That forward thinking and willingness to accept new ideas drew Matt Scheihing to Ollis two and a half years ago.

“I believe there is opportunity with that thinking, that mindset,” said Scheihing, chief operating officer. “That’s the exciting part. The group, as a whole, is open to thinking outside the box.”

Among other perks, entry-level, full-time employees have at least 10 vacation days, and there is no waiting period for health insurance. All employees are eligible for bonuses, which average more than $1,000. In 2006, the company distributed just more than $300,000 in bonuses.

After losing just one employee in 2005, turnover last year was between 11 percent and 20 percent. Ollis attributes that to some individuals who decided the cultural changes weren’t for them.

“I think that is part of the price, so to speak, of enhancing your culture,” he said. “I love our people … and how they’re interacting with clients.”

Ollis & Co.

Founded: 1885

Address: 2274 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, MO 65804

Phone: (417) 881-8333

Web: www.ollisco.com

Employees: 32

Services: Insurance products