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Atlantic company tops list of best places to work Nicole Veerman Fredericton IT consulting firm Ambir has been named the best place to work in Atlantic Canada for the second time. Three years ago, CEO Ian Cavanagh said he apologized for the company placing first on the list. "We're not a showy company," he said. But this year, after again placing first on Progress Magazine's annual list of the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada, he has changed his tune. Cavanagh said he now realizes the honour is validation of the company's business model. "I have changed my perspective to immense pride. This is our employees speaking. It's not shameless promotion," he said. Progress Magazine selects the top places to work in Atlantic Canada based on confidential employee surveys. Ambir has offices in Fredericton, Saint John and Halifax. Cavanagh said the company started in 2004 with a focus on IT solutions, but later expanded to include business consulting when the firm's consultants noticed they were helping clients with issues that had little to do with technology and everything to do with business improvement. "We decided if something was working for us, we have a responsibility to share it with other organizations," he said. Ambir has about 50 employees in its three offices. Cavanagh said the company's success is linked to its employees. "We hire really good people and focus on building an authentic business culture," he said. "I love working with our team of people. I don't know how many people get up every day and say they love working with the people they work with." Cavanagh attributes his great team to Ambir's interview process. "We look for the best and the brightest ... beyond that we consider who is this person," he said. This includes asking applicants about the best and worst moments in their lives. Cavanagh said these types of questions give insight into what makes a person tick. "It's about allowing people to be who they are and to be respected for who they are," he said. Vince Arseneau, a technical architect in the Fredericton office, said the one thing the company has done well is hire people who work well together. "It creates an atmosphere where it's nice to come to work in the morning. There's not a day where I feel I don't want to go to work," he said. As a father of three, Arseneau said the company has also been exceptional at working with his personal life. "The scheduling is very flexible, so I have the option to work from home when I need to," Arseneau said. "They've been very supportive at work and in my personal life." Dhanashri Chopade, a senior consultant in the Fredericton office, said because of the inclusion of respect and caring in the company's values, she has been able to both work and lead a fulfilling personal life. "I can be a parent, I can be a citizen and at the same time I can be productive and use my education," she said. "I don't feel like I'm working. I feel like I'm doing something I enjoy." © The Daily Gleaner 2010 |