As ESOP consultants and an ESOP company, ESOP Partners is uniquely positioned to see how employee ownership is advantageous to other companies as well as our own. It’s an opportunity not lost on President Aaron Juckett. “We get to demonstrate firsthand the same thing we help other companies do. We practice what we preach, and we lead by example.”
Our commitment to building an ownership culture attracts team members who are passionate about helping other companies do the same. Understanding the nuanced needs and goals of each client drives partnerships. As an ESOP company, it also drives our success.
This dual lens gives our employees a unique perspective on what motivates them. Some mentioned things directly related to our organization and team; others identified gratification in growing client partnerships.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear from these employee testimonials that our team is focused on helping our clients — and each other — succeed.
An Insider’s Look at ESOP Partners
“I’m excited to come to work.”
Sales Support Team Leader Sara Exarhos sees her role at ESOP Partners as being qualitatively different from other jobs she held. She attributes a large portion of her employee satisfaction to the ownership mindset of support shared on our team. “This is the first time I’ve been at a company where I’m excited to come to work,” she explained. “We’ve got each other’s backs here. We motivate each other and help each other out. It makes you feel good.”
Sara’s sentiment is echoed by Assistant ESOP Administrator Nancy Berndt. “There’s definitely an atmosphere of learning. You are surrounded by knowledgeable people, and there’s always an open-door policy about asking questions.”
“We’re all lifted as our company grows.”
Working as a team buoys company performance, profits, and long-term wealth accumulation. Stock shares are a cornerstone of an ESOP. When employees become shareholders, collective effort directly impacts their financial futures.
Marketing Manager Bill Zoelle sums up the connection this way: “ESOPs personify the adage, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ Like every employee owner here, I know I can help impact the communal stock price. We’re all lifted as our company grows.”
“We live out employee ownership.”
Hard work, strategic thinking, and consistent contributions to the team take on deeper meaning in an ownership culture.
“An ESOP creates a workplace where each team member has a stake in outcomes. Employee owners are empowered owners,” explained Director of Business Development Eric Strebe. “We live out employee ownership at ESOP Partners. We help our clients engage their teams at similar levels, and align what’s important to them with what’s important to the company.”
Our ESOP, Our Team, Our Clients
For all of the benefits our ESOP provides to our team, where pride in ownership really shines through is in truly understanding and helping our clients.
“We do what’s best for our clients to be the best ESOP consultants out there.”
Continuous improvement is an essential part of serving our clients. “We’re proactive about analyzing and changing ways of doing things to be more efficient,” said Sara Exarhos. “We keep improving to do what’s best for our clients. We exceed expectations so we can be the best ESOP company out there.”
“We adapt to meet the needs of each ESOP company’s unique purpose and culture.”
There is no single cookie-cutter approach to an ESOP so we don’t take one. “We listen,” commented Eric Strebe. “We take the time to understand each client’s goals and objectives because no two situations are the same.”
The logic behind this strategy is both simple and complex. “It’s about identifying their needs not just to maintain their ESOP, but also how to help them achieve their company goals,” said Aaron Juckett. “Every company has a different purpose and culture that they’re trying to maintain. That’s why we must understand where their needs are and adapt to meet them.”
“Helping our clients through the ESOP journey is extremely powerful.”
The employee owners of our clients’ companies entrust us with their ESOPs and, by extension, their financial futures. It’s a commitment we take seriously, as noted by Eric Strebe: “The fact that we as ESOP Partners have the ability to help our clients through the ESOP journey no matter what stage they’re in is something that’s extremely powerful.”
Our clients’ ESOPs play an important role in shaping the cultures of their companies and how the employee owners embrace it. “Employees refer to their companies as ‘I am part of an ESOP’ or ‘We are an ESOP.’ They own it to that level,” said Bill Zoelle. “It actually becomes part of their identity.”
Build Your Unique Ownership Culture
Gaining insights about our ownership culture and what it means to our team likely has you considering the positive impact of your existing ESOP, or how selling to an ESOP company is the right move for you.
Our eBook, Culture and Communications, provides best practices on building a culture where everyone thoroughly understands the benefits of an ESOP and are committed to continually improving company performance. Download your copy now.
