LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – Closeness is not synonymous with connectedness. In today’s world, a fully-engaged workforce can be completely dispersed and still be connected. Why? There isn’t one right answer, but AVIAN and the other 474 honorees on the annual Inc. Best Workplaces list may have a few ideas.
Hitting newsstands May 17 in the May/June 2022 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 and company culture, whether operating in a physical or virtual facility.
“Connecting in a meaningful way with our employees is what our culture of care is all about,” said Kevin Switick, co-founder and chief executive officer of AVIAN. “As the landscape of our workplace continues to shift, we see the value in re-imaging company culture and fostering a growth mindset to live up to our business principles and promises. We are incredibly humbled to be a part of the Inc. Best Places to Work list this year.”
Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture. The organization’s benefits were also audited to determine overall score and ranking.
“Not long ago, the term ‘best workplace’ would have conjured up images of open-office designs with stocked snack fridges,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “Yet given the widespread adoption of remote work, the concept of the workplace has shifted. This year, Inc. has recognized the organizations dedicated to redefining and enriching the workplace in the face of the pandemic.”
The strongest engagement scores came from companies that focus on the most human elements of work. These companies are leading the way in employee recognition, performance management, and diversity.
This is the third time AVIAN has made the Inc. Best Places to Work list. The last time AVIAN ranked on this list was in 2020 as the world began its lockdown due to the novel coronavirus.
The first time was the spring of 2018, which was right before AVIAN became 49 percent employee-owned by adopting an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP. Using the Congressionally authorized ESOP program, AVIAN created a plan to provide employees with a retirement incentive in addition to its AVIAN 401k.
The AVIAN founder’s decision to sell part of the company to an ESOP is rooted in its commitment to its corporate value – we take care of each other.
“Our employee-owners are critical to our culture of care and why AVIAN is a Best Workplace,” Switick said. “As a company, if we continue to share ownership, show gratitude, explore the future with a growth mindset, and empower risk taking we’ll continue to attract talented people who value what that culture offers -- connection.”
About AVIAN
AVIAN (*ae-v-yin*) is an employee-owned government services small business headquartered in Lexington Park, Maryland with annual revenues exceeding $73 million.
AVIAN is a 10-time honoree on the Inc. 500 | 5000 lists of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. AVIAN ranked No. 230 in 2010, No. 267 in 2011, No. 660 in 2012, No. 1675 in 2013, No. 2630 in 2014, No. 2417 in 2015, No. 3599 in 2016, No. 3764 in 2017, No. 4878 in 2018 and No. 4496 in 2019.
AVIAN believes talent and passion generate solutions to today’s business challenges. We understand that these characteristics thrive in a business culture that embraces innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.
AVIAN provides resourceful, responsive, and reachable solutions in test and evaluation of manned and unmanned aerial, surface, and subsurface systems; program, financial, and logistics management; engineering and systems engineering; workforce development and training; communication strategy and graphic design.
About Inc. Media
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
About Quantum Workplace
Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, 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.
