Recognize Trade Partner Excellence With In-House Awards

Every year, S.J. Janis Company Inc. in Wauwatosa, Wis., holds a dinner event that does triple-duty as a state of the union, in-house education session and awards ceremony. Invitees include not just employees but also trade partners and suppliers.

This year's three-hour function hosted a total of 44 people (including S.J. Janis employees). There is no cap on the amount of employees, both of the company and within the trades, who can attend. The program is in its seventh year and has proven to be very valuable to fortifying trade partner bonds throughout the company.

In the words of president Gary Sannes: "The goals of our meeting were to celebrate our successes, update attendees on the company's current status, discuss improvements accomplished since our last meeting and review the systems and procedures necessary to achieve our 'clients for life' philosophy. We also had a 40-minute discussion on 'the best practices of the best,' examples from companies that consistently deliver the unexpected and that create the kind of memorable experience that motivates people to return time and time again for that company's services. We developed a list of those practices and principles and sent them to all of our attendees, with the challenge of finding a way to adapt those things to our businesses everyday. Awards were given to the best suppliers, trades partners and the employee of the year, all of whom exemplified these attributes."