Workplace Excellence Nominations

For the last several years, the Sioux Empire Society for Human Resource Management Chapter (SESHRM) has awarded three Workplace Excellence Awards based on company size. The SESHRM Board felt that it was time to think a little out of box and are excited to announce that we have created three new categories!

The three categories for our Workplace Excellence Awards are below. Nominations are due Friday, October 21.

  • Diversity
  • Culture
  • Community Impact

Company awards can boost your company’s reputation, setting you and your employer brand apart from your competitors. If you are a young company or startup, awards like these can signal that you’re on solid ground as an employer and give you credibility. For the established companies, awards can showcase your brand history, but also that your company is culture-first and innovative. By earning one of these awards will help set you apart in this difficult labor market!

Diversity

Most Human Resources Professionals understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is imperative. Having sound diversity practices related to talent acquisition, talent management, onboarding, diversity training, workforce development and engagement is key for employees feeling included in the workplace and fostering a productive and profitable organization.

Does your company go above and beyond on Diversity Initiatives? And even better, do you have data to back up the impact of those diversity initiatives? If your company has demonstrated dedication and continuing commitment to advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, the time to nominate is NOW!

Here are a few examples of the work you may be doing that needs to be showcased!

  • Foster positive communication and actively promote inter-group relations among persons of different races, ages, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religious backgrounds, or physical and mental abilities.
  • Participates in a variety of corporate and community events that promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation, or tolerance: any level of involvement in community events, projects, efforts or organizations that promote or celebrate tolerance and contribute to diversity awareness in the community and workplace.
  • The ability to value and respect diverse points of view and varied ways to approach issues and topics.

The following have nominated their respective organizations for the 2022 award:


At Gage Brothers we work with the mindset of one team, one goal to manufacture precast concrete products that build community hospitals, arenas, parking ramps, and much more. Employee-owned, Gage Brothers is more than just a place to work, it’s a place to grow and excel professionally and personally.


Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves more than one million patients and 220,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. We have 43,779 employees working at our Sanford Health and Good Samaritan Society locations. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, our organization strives to continually build on the diverse talents, experiences and beliefs of our employees, as well as the patients and communities we serve.

Click HERE to complete our nomination form for Diversity.

Culture

Today’s workplace is ever changing and moving at a fast paced. Exceptional workplaces know that the secrets to unlocking world-class performance lies in their people. These workplaces build their business strategies around their employees – ensuring each worker is positioned to drive business outcomes and serves customers with excellence. By doing this, their employees come to work each day engaged and ready to push boundaries. This enables these businesses to build and sustain their ideal culture.

Does your company optimize your culture and develop unstoppable workforces that fully embrace a culture of engagement? And do you have data to back your engagement levels?

Here are a few examples of the work you may be doing that needs to be showcased!

  • Apply data-driven techniques to attract, hire and retain top talent.
  • Make employee engagement a day-to-day practice.
  • Adopt leading-edge performance management principles.
  • Equip their managers and leaders to coach and inspire others every day.
  • Position employees to use their innate strengths every day.
  • Foster a flexible workplace with family friendly atmosphere.

The following have nominated their respective organizations for the 2022 award:


For more than 135 years, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls has helped build the city of Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities through innovative community banking. With an infectious culture, a commitment to its communities, and a foundation built on its FIRST Values, First National Bank prides itself on being more than just a bank.


As the largest park in the Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation Department, Great Bear features winter sports activities for the whole family. The park is home to 14 downhill trails, a terrain park, the Kirby Family Tubing Park, and cross-country and snowshoeing trails that provide fun and excitement for all skill levels. During the summer months, Great Bear provides the perfect setting for weddings, as well as hiking on its 4-mile trail system.


MarketBeat is an Inc.5000 financial media company that aims to empower individual investors to make better trading decisions by providing real-time financial data, in-depth analysis, and best-in-class stock research tools.


The companies of Sammons® Financial Group, Inc. help families and businesses protect their future through today’s most sought-after life insurance, annuity, and retirement planning products. As a privately-held company, our leaders and employees remain consistently focused on long-term growth, making decisions that allow us to deliver on our commitments to customers, distribution partners, our employees, and our communities. Our companies include Midland National® Life Insurance Company (including Sammons® Corporate Markets); North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®; Sammons Institutional Group® (including Midland Retirement Distributors® and Sammons Retirement Solutions®) and Beacon Capital Management.


Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves more than one million patients and 220,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. We have 43,779 employees working at our Sanford Health and Good Samaritan Society locations. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, our organization strives to continually build on the diverse talents, experiences and beliefs of our employees, as well as the patients and communities we serve.


TSP is a multidisciplinary service leader with architecture, engineering, planning, and interior-design expertise all within a single company. What began as a one-man shop in 1930 has grown into a regional 100% employee-owned practice. We pair our diverse project background with strategic, fresh design-thinking to deliver projects that meet needs today and are flexible enough to have a meaningful purpose well into the future.

Click HERE to complete our nomination form for Culture.

Community Impact

Many companies understand the impact their employees can have on the communities where we live and work. As the Sioux Empire continues to grow, there are more agencies that not only need our financial support but also through education and volunteering their time.

We want to recognize an employer that is truly making a difference in the community. Does your employees’ spirit of service permeate your culture and defines who you are as a company?

Here are a few examples of the work you could be doing that needs to be showcased!

  • Employee groups that are volunteering their time at different agencies throughout the year representing your company.
  • Financial contributions that are being made by your employer to help our community.
  • Educating students from pre-K through post-secondary education programs. This could be through shadow experience or even internships.

The following have nominated their respective organizations for the 2022 award:


East River Electric Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative with a main office in Madison and eight regional services centers. Employing over 150 individuals, the co-op exists to enhance the value of our members including 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system. We deliver wholesale electric power to our member-owners who, in turn, power the farms, homes and businesses across eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community are our foundation and represent the cooperative difference.


For more than 135 years, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls has helped build the city of Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities through innovative community banking. With an infectious culture, a commitment to its communities, and a foundation built on its FIRST Values, First National Bank prides itself on being more than just a bank.


HDR is headquartered in Omaha, NE since 1917; as an employee-owned firm, our foundation has always been our communities. In 1993, HDR opened our Sioux Falls office, followed by our Rapid City office opening in 2006. Over the last two decades, South Dakota communities and HDR have successfully tackled water resources, drinking water, transportation, wastewater, and environmental projects, working together to grow our state into what it is today.


MarketBeat is an Inc.5000 financial media company that aims to empower individual investors to make better trading decisions by providing real-time financial data, in-depth analysis, and best-in-class stock research tools.


Schulte Subaru is a car dealership with a full service center, parts department, body shop, detail and restoration. Schulte Subaru is devoted to the idea that every interaction is a chance to make the world a little better. They do this by partnering with the local community and doing the right thing through kindness and respect. The philosophy began with Terry Schulte back in 1970 and is carried on today through the passion of Mike and Sarah Schulte and all of the incredible employees and their families. Be Kind, Stay Positive and Think Subaru.

Click HERE to complete our nomination form for Community Impact.

If you have any questions please contact our Past President on our Board Members page. Congratulations to our most recent recipients below!

Previous Recipients (Small Company, < 100 employees):

Previous Recipients (Medium Company, 101-500 employees):

Previous Recipients (Large Company, > 500 employees):

Sioux Empire SHRM is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. | PO Box 1302 | Sioux Falls, SD 57101 | Chapter #217

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software