Surf 9 LLC is one of the highest-scoring businesses,
with standout employee engagement
[BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA] (May 16, 2019) – Surf 9 LLC has been named one of Inc. magazine’s Best Workplaces for 2019, our fourth annual ranking in the fast-growing private company sector.
Hitting newsstands today in the June 2019 issue, and as part of a prominent Inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of private American companies that have created exceptional workplaces through vibrant cultures, deep employee engagement, and stellar benefits. Collecting data on nearly 2,000 submissions, Inc. singled out 346 finalists.
Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Omaha’s Quantum Workplace, on topics including trust, management effectiveness, perks, and confidence in the future. Inc. gathered, analyzed, and audited the data. Then we ranked all the employers using a composite score of survey results. This year, 74.2 percent of surveyed employees were engaged by their work—besting last year’s 72.1 percent. The strongest engagement scores came from companies that prioritize the most human elements of work. These companies are leading the way in employee recognition, performance management, and diversity. It’s a different playbook from a decade ago, when too many firms used the same template: free food, open work environments, and artifacts of “fun.”
“Creating a positive and rewarding company culture is paramount for me and for Surf 9. I want the team to not only feel engaged, empowered and rewarded, but I want to see some smiles and laughter while we are doing it. We are a family of talented people that create fun products and customer experiences and we should have some fun ourselves along the way.” said CEO of Surf 9, John Chenciner. All companies had to have a minimum of 10 employees and be U.S.-based, privately held, and independent—that is, not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies.
While researching the finalists, Inc. and Quantum saw distinct themes:
99 percent provide health insurance—and some cover the cost.
49 percent allow employees to bring pets to work.
65 percent take employees to offsite retreats to relax and recharge.
16 percent offer paid sabbaticals to reward length of service.
"With today's tight labor market, building a great corporate culture is more important than ever,” says Inc. magazine editor in chief James Ledbetter. “The companies on Inc.'s Best Workplaces list are setting an example that the whole country can learn from."
About Surf 9 LLC
Surf 9 LLC, founded in 2005, is an official licensee of the Body Glove brand and a leader in the water sporting goods industry. Surf 9 specializes in creating a unique customer experiences through branded and licensed sports equipment and lifestyle footwear. Surf 9 services their partners across all business functions including product design, production and manufacturing, managed logistics and supply chain services, customer service, sales, and marketing. In 2018 they were listed on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies. For more information visit surf9.com
About Inc. Media
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of Advertising Age’s “A-List” in January 2015, and a National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012, Inc. has a monthly audience reach that’s grown from two million in 2010 to more than 20 million today. For more information, visit Inc.com.
About Quantum Workplace
Quantum Workplace is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com.