The employees at Florida-based insurance agency and advisory services firm Seitlin appreciate their salaries, bonuses and wellness program. But for them, their working environment is exemplary not just for what the agency does for them but also for what the agency allows them to do for themselves and for their customers.
What is striking about their evaluations of their agency is the pride the employees take in working there. They take pride in how customers are treated, in the agency’s role in the community, in their fellow employees, in the quality of their management, in their own professionalism, in how they have performed through the recession, even in the agency’s systems and procedures.
“Seitlin empowers employees and therefore as an extension of the organization, we work to give our clients no less than the best. It is this formula that brings about a successful employee and a satisfied client,” explained one employee with the agency that has been named the Best Agency to Work For in the Southeast by Insurance Journal.
“When a member is recognized for excellence, the good news is always relayed to the entire family and celebrated. Most importantly, all members are treated with respect. All in all, I am a proud member of the Seitlin family,” wrote another.
Seitlin reported $163 million in property/casualty premiums alone in 2009, placing it No. 63 on Insurance Journal’s list of the Top 100 privately-held retail independent insurance agencies. Seitlin is also the exclusive southern Florida member of Assurex Global, a global partnership of agencies with a combined $19 billion in premium and access to the world’s insurance markets.
Seitlin President and CEO Thomas Cornish thinks one key to his agency’s success in providing a winning workplace is its strong commitment to the personal development of its people in the form of career planning and industry education — as well as in being proactive in providing real opportunities to move up in the organization.
“Seitlin strives to empower employees to utilize their individual unique talents, and to expand their abilities and expertise. … Employees are constantly encouraged to continue learning and growing within the industry,” one satisfied employee said.
Cornish also believes that giving employees a voice really matters. “We invest a lot of time in formal and informal communications,” he says, including town hall-style as well as informal breakfast meetings. The communication is appreciated — employees said they believe that their opinions do matter.
“People are really given the room they need to learn and grow and ideas are always encouraged and welcomed,” summed up one employee.
Employees praised Cornish’s communication through the bad economy of the past few years in particular. “Through these tough economic times, Seitlin has done its best to keep our associates informed and feeling safe,” wrote an employee.
Another key is Seitlin’s strong commitment to the communities it serves through philanthropic and volunteer efforts. Seitlin associates are currently board members on Community Partnership for Homeless Inc., the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, The United Way Cabinets and The United Jewish Communities of Broward to name just a few. They are also involved in various associations for the industries they serve.
“People feel a need for connection to a greater cause,” Cornish contends. Just one more reason to be proud of working at Seitlin.
OTHER WINNERS
Overall: Barney & Barney, San Diego, California
East: KMRD Partners, Warrington, Pennsylvania
South Central: Bryan Insurance Agency, Graham, Texas
Midwest: Wine Sergi & Co., St. Charles, Illinois
West: Chapman & Associates, Pasadena, California
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