9 / 32
WHAT SURPRISED YOU?
Cristy:
The amount of passion that so
many people/companies have
around being an ESOP. It’s
amazing! I thought our company
was passionate about our ESOP,
but wow, just wow! I was also
surprised to know that BL is doing
it right. I kind of thought, yeah,
we do a lot of cool things and
this company I work for and the
people I work with are great and
all, but I’m sure most places are
like this. That’s not true. Learning
about the different programs and
what other ESOPs do during the
year, we are really setting the bar
here at BL.
Mina:
All the new ideas that other ESOP
Companies come up with to
continue to foster their ownership
cultures and the engagement of
their Employee Owners. Attending
the conference allowed me to
get to know other ESOPs and
developed new networks. It is nice
to see the support in the ESOP
community. (We borrow ideas
from one another!)
Mike:
I learned that many ESOP’s
transition out or die in 10
years or less. (e.g. one reason
could be being acquired by
another company). Culture and
remembering why you became an
ESOP, in the first place, has a lot to
do with keeping your ESOP alive.
Steve Hamilton:
I went to the ESOP Conference
and I was surprised that it wasn’t
so much focused on ESOP and
the details but more what other
companies do to engage their
employees, and their ups and
downs along the way.
BL received a “bright idea” bulb on our ESOP display
for our ESOP Thank yous event.
WOULD YOU GO BACK?
Cristy:
Of course, yes! It was great
networking and sharing stories with
other ESOPers and even people
attending that were looking to
become an ESOP. I felt like I was
bragging about my first born hitting
the game winning home run in the
Little League World Series, the way I
was about bragging about BL’s culture
so much!
Mina:
Yes, for all of the reasons listed prior.
It is a great experience and it makes
me appreciate BL Companies even
more.
Mike:
Yes and I will. I have had the unique
opportunity to speak at a few
Chapter events this past year and
am planning on another in the fall.
These opportunities allow me to not
only meet great people and learn
about other companies and what
they are doing; they also give me
the opportunity to tout BL, who we
are and what makes us special and
unique in our own right.
Jess:
Absolutely! The ESOP Association
Conference is so unique - I’d love
the opportunity to go again. There’s
always something new to learn (and
I’ve become very fond of DC!).
Steve:
I would go back to the conference
because every company has a
different approach of trying to
engage their employee owners.
This is good to hear what worked
and more importantly what hasn’t
worked for them so we can build our
own way or having our co-workers
interact.
issue 10 // 7