The Sixth Annual Tech Culture Awards 2023: An Examination of the Ideal Technological Work Culture
Welcome to the sixth iteration of the Tech Culture Awards in 2023 part of the TMC Workplace Excellence Award series, a significant annual event, wherein we celebrate, evaluate, and recognize the best tech cultures – regardless of what industry the employer is in. This award has gained increasing importance in an era where there is a high demand for personnel in the fields of programming, engineering, and IT.
The objective is unambiguous: we aim to identify organizations that excel in fostering an optimal technological culture. These companies not only seek top-tier tech talent but are also prepared to create an environment that aligns with what is considered an ideal work culture in the technology domain.
Our efforts are grounded in the awareness that comprehensive and absolute ranking of all potential candidates could be an insurmountable task. Work cultures are dynamic entities, continuously evolving and adapting to the changing times. In order to streamline the process and ensure viability, we have introduced certain prerequisites. All prospective organizations are required to complete a detailed questionnaire and submit a nominal processing fee. This effort is designed to be self-selecting, allowing potential entrants to gauge their eligibility based on the depth and quality of their potential responses.
Our editorial team has devoted extensive time and energy in meticulously reviewing these submissions. They have examined photographs, validated facts, and constructed cogent explanations for the selection of each company. Furthermore, the team has evaluated each submission, adding summaries while highlighting noteworthy points of differentiation. This year, we eliminated the assignment of a letter grade as the distinctions between winners are relatively minor.
Occasionally, due to requests for confidentiality or relevance, certain sections from a company’s response may be excluded.
Thank you for being part of the Tech Culture Awards – what we believe is the gold standard in helping workers find the best tech environment. The Tech Culture Awards are part of the TMC Workplace Excellence Award series which also include the Tech Diversity Award and Social Responsibility Award.
| COMPANY NAME | LOCATION | EDITOR’S SUMMARY |
| Altaworx, LLC | Fairhope, AL | Altaworx, guided by its core values of striving for excellence, fostering fun, humility, responsibility, growth, and respect, aims to provide a supportive environment for employee development. It promotes from within, encouraging professional development through one-on-one meetings and opportunities for virtual training. Employees are introduced to various company branches through a “passport” program during their initial 90 days. Altaworx is committed to community service, with past involvement in food and disaster relief, and sponsoring local children’s triathlon events. Employee satisfaction is gauged through biweekly surveys using TinyPulse, while promoting work-life balance with standing desks, a relaxation room, a wellness program, and flexible work options. The company organizes quarterly events focusing on professional or personal development and encourages camaraderie through “First Friday” gatherings and fun office games. All team members contribute to the company’s goals, fostering a collaborative and empowering environment. The company’s focus on core values also extends to its hiring processes. |
| BCM One | New York, NY | BCM One is committed to creating an environment that champions accountability, innovation, and teamwork. With a central focus on “operationalizing” communication, the company goes beyond merely understanding employee satisfaction levels, instead actively working to enhance them. Promoting a positive work-life balance is central to the company’s ethos, encouraging employees to disconnect when necessary and embodying this through the actions of the leadership team. The organization takes pride in its diverse and inclusive workforce, believing in empowering employees to promote positive change and reach their full potential. Amidst opportunities for advancement and robust training programs, BCM One has initiated a performance management process centered on career development. The 8-week intensive project management training course enables employees to manage important company projects, providing real-world experience. Post-acquisition of eight companies since 2019, BCM One has maximized the integration process as a growth opportunity for employees across the organization. Furthermore, BCM One actively engages in community service and charitable causes, offers a flexible work model, and provides a variety of professional perks, emphasizing the importance of open communication and transparency about the company’s strategic direction and goals. |
| Calix | San Jose, CA | Calix is a global company committed to creating a robust and inclusive corporate culture. A primary focus is on providing training and development opportunities to enhance job satisfaction and engagement, while promoting diversity, equity, and overall well-being. The company offers various advancement opportunities, with 15% of employees promoted in 2022. With programs such as Calix University, employees are encouraged to expand their learning. As a remote-first organization, communication and transparency are key to Calix’s operation. They prioritize community service, facilitating opportunities for employees to contribute to societal causes. Employees are provided with various benefits, including a wellness allowance, mental health resources, and adoption assistance. The company values diversity, fostering inclusion through a range of initiatives. New hires are introduced to the corporate vision directly from the executive team, promoting a culture of trust and alignment. Calix ensures the well-being of its employees through various tools and resources. Despite the pandemic, the company managed to grow, adding 561 employees in 2022, reflecting its positive and resilient culture. |
| Fibernetics | Cambridge, ON, Canada | Fibernetics, an innovative tech company is a great place for employees who are willing to expand their skills, knowledge, and work creatively. The company offers a plethora of tangible and intangible benefits, ranging from a generous PTO package to a collaborative and empowering work environment. Fibernetics heavily focuses on continuous learning, skill development, and growth opportunities for its staff through internal and external training opportunities. Community service and philanthropy are integral parts of the company’s culture, with support extended to both local and global charities. Work-life balance is emphasized through flexible work timings, hybrid work models, and significant paid days off. The company also provides various perks, including free coffee, on-site gyms, catered lunches, and discount programs. Employees at Fibernetics are empowered to make decisions and are given the autonomy to handle their tasks. The company ensures the well-being of its staff through several measures, including ergonomic workspace setups, mental health support, and access to gyms. In summary, Fibernetics is dedicated to maintaining a work culture that promotes empowerment, innovation, personal growth, and work-life balance. |
| FluentStream | Denver, CO | FluentStream is lauded for its employee-first culture, fostering an inclusive environment and empowering its team through equity grants, encouraging a business owner mindset. Embracing a fully remote setup in 2020, the company offers flexibility, enhanced work-life balance, and increased focus on self-care for its staff. Employees are involved in decision-making processes via engagement surveys, while managers actively seek their feedback. The company offers generous training and advancement opportunities, promoting from within where possible, and an annual $3,000 toward learning and development. The firm recognizes the importance of work-life balance, offering Discretionary Time Off and encouraging a recommended 3-4 weeks off per year. Perks include a $125/month work-from-home stipend, discounted pet insurance, and fitness membership. Community involvement is encouraged through 20 hours of paid volunteer service. Lastly, FluentStream’s remote setup and employee-centric practices have fostered strong employee loyalty amidst the “Great Resignation.” |
| IT Management Corporation | Santa Clara, CA | IT Management Corporation, also known as 101VOICE, is a Santa Clara-based technology solutions provider serving businesses since 2009. The company specializes in Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and provides network assessments, design, project management, and training. ITM nurtures a culture that fosters innovative thinking, values honesty and mutual respect, and emphasizes recognizing individual accomplishments. ITM and its UCaaS division, 101VOICE, prioritize innovation, skill development, and career advancement. The company is involved in various community services and charitable causes like Save the Children.org and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. They also sponsor individuals through the complex US legal immigration system. The company maintains an “open” office environment and offers flexibility in work locations and hours. ITM values transparency and communication, both within and outside the company, and encourages employees to take initiative and maintain forward momentum. |
| Magna5 | Pittsburgh, PA | Magna5, a managed IT service provider, is an employee-centric company promoting a collaborative culture and work-life balance. They value winning together, prompt response, trust, transparency, and forward-thinking. All employees work 100% remotely, fostering flexibility and an employee-focused environment. The company’s vision, “To become the industry’s most trusted IT partner, enabling businesses to succeed with confidence,” is consistently communicated. Magna5 has expanded its talent set by acquiring five other companies and retaining 90% of the acquired staff. They prioritize employee growth through annual performance reviews, professional development goals, and an extensive onboarding process. Employee engagement is measured using Energage’s survey, with outcomes mapped to key culture projects for continuous improvement. Perks include home internet and cell phone reimbursements. They also host an annual week-long, in-person meeting for team building and training. The company ensures employee wellbeing through included mental health programs and benefits. |
| Navisite | Andover, MA | Navisite, a global digital transformation company, prioritizes innovation and the empowerment of its employees. As part of its rapid growth through acquisitions, Navisite has implemented learning systems and mentoring programs, such as the COACH program, to support employees’ professional development. Recognizing cultural differences, the company runs educational sessions to enhance global collaboration. A key aspect of Navisite’s culture is the #NaviGivesBack program, including a scholarship for women pursuing STEM degrees. To measure satisfaction, Navisite uses focus groups and surveys, fostering open communication. Work-life balance is supported through various initiatives such as ‘You First Fridays’ and an online wellness platform, Virgin Pulse. Leadership communicates the company’s vision through frequent meetings, emails, and newsletters. Employees are empowered and recognized, leading to a culture of innovation. Navisite also emphasizes employee well-being through wellness programs, including monthly webinars and weekly yoga sessions. |
| Nextiva | Scottsdale, AZ | Nextiva, based in Scottsdale, AZ, fosters a dynamic tech culture prioritizing teamwork, innovation, and growth. The company values transparency and open communication, promoting an environment for employees to excel both in and outside the office. Nextiva’s commitment to employee development is evident in its Networking and Mentee programs, helping employees build connections and gain valuable guidance. Its comprehensive training portal, Nextiva University, provides various courses and resources to foster career advancement. Through its Nextiva Cares initiative, the company emphasizes community service and charitable giving. Nextiva uses the Glint survey tool to measure team satisfaction and gather feedback. The modern workspace facilitates innovation and collaboration, while unlimited PTO promotes work-life balance. Perks like in-office lunches, gym privileges, and pet insurance enhance the work environment. Fun initiatives like the annual Amazing Bowl event and daily office walks foster community. The company communicates its vision via quarterly town hall meetings and empowers employees through resources, support, and an internal ambassador program. Nextiva’s Live Amazing wellness program promotes physical, mental, and financial wellness for employees. The company adapted effectively to the remote work environment, ensuring employee engagement and connectivity through virtual programs and perks. |
| ScanSource, LLC | Greenville, SC | ScanSource, Inc., based in Greenville, South Carolina, maintains a people-first approach, focusing on the intellectual and professional development of its employees. The company offers intensive training programs, such as the ScanSource Leadership Institute (SLI) and the ScanSource Management Academy (SMA), to identify and develop future leaders. Committed to social responsibility, ScanSource has contributed nearly $20 million to communities worldwide since 1992. The company promotes an open communication culture and gathers employee feedback to enhance satisfaction and retention. This productivity-anywhere approach, coupled with tools for health improvement, career building, leadership skills development, and community support, reinforces the company’s commitment to employee well-being. ScanSource’s core values emphasize honesty, integrity, respect for diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to quickly and fairly meeting partners’ needs. |
| Telesystem | Toledo, OH | Telesystem, is an organization committed to creating a conducive environment for its employees to be their authentic selves and work towards a greater goal. The company nurtures employee growth, offering numerous advancement and training opportunities, including a competitive reimbursement program for further education and a learning management system with a diverse range of courses. Telesystem actively gives back to local communities, supporting charities and hosting Cybersecurity Summits. The company measures employee satisfaction through annual surveys, closely tracking and responding to feedback. Telesystem promotes a healthy work-life balance with a generous PTO policy and a flexible scheduling structure. The company’s culture encourages full disclosure, dialogue, debate, and collective decision-making, empowering employees to contribute meaningfully. It also prioritizes employee well-being, providing comprehensive resources and support for physical and mental health, along with a flexible remote work policy. |
| VCTI | Benjaluru, India | VCTI, is a company that prioritizes its employees’ welfare and development, positioning itself as an “Employee First” organization. It provides opportunities for skill enhancement and training programs across all organizational levels, with a particular focus on supporting women in their workforce. Job rotation and mentorship programs are in place, enabling exposure to various aspects of the business. VCTI upholds its commitment to diversity by creating opportunities for people with disabilities. It measures employee satisfaction using formal 360 Reviews, skip-level meetings, and satisfaction surveys. The company supports a balanced work/life environment through flexible work-from-home policies, generous paid time off, and comp time policies. Additional perks include food services, discounts at hotels, and yoga/Zumba classes. Employees are recognized and empowered to propose and implement innovative ideas. VCTI prioritizes the well-being of its employees, offering extended health insurance and hosting regular health talks. VCTI provides a unique work environment for its employees to learn a broad range of skills and develop in their careers. |