7. Sanborn, Head & Associates • 6 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 201, Bedford • sanbornhead.com
Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures: My manager is interested in my well being: 98% agree. My manager displays the behaviors and traits that are consistent with the company’s values: 98% agree
President and CEO: Barret Cole
Years in Business: 32
Full-Time Employees: 144 (109 in NH)
Years on List: 4
This firm doesn’t just ask its employees to think like owners. They are owners and are treated as such. It’s why the company values, decided with employee input, now include having a generational mindset, collegiality, servant leadership, integrity, employee engagement and excellence.
The firm is fully owned by the employees and posts monthly financial reports for all employees that includes key financial metrics. Employees reap the rewards of the firm’s success. Sanborn Head has a 401(k) profit sharing plan and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The company makes contributions into an ESOP account for employees.
The firm rewards employees with discretionary bonuses as well as employee referral bonuses ranging from $500 to $6,000. It also provides a one-time $2,500 bonus to employees who receive their first professional license.
Through the EDGE (Empowerment, Development, Guidance, Engagement) Program, every employee has an EDGE leader that works with them monthly to identify development opportunities that align with their career goals. The firm also established clear career pathways with in-house training, including year-long courses in project management, leadership, and supervisory skills, as well as technical skills training.
Sanborn Head’s president and CEO holds quarterly in-person chats with staff to provide updates on how the firm is performing and strategic initiatives, and to solicit employee feedback. The board chair also offers individual one-on-one meetings with employee owners annually.
In 2024, the company implemented a paid parental leave policy, allows unused sick time to roll over to the next year and provides three to over five weeks of paid time off.
Business NH Magazine named 27 businesses as the 2025 Best Companies to Work For in NH and inducted seven companies into the competition's Hall of Fame.
For 27 years, Business NH Magazine has recognized businesses that go out of their way to create engaging workplaces and understand that fulfilled employees are more productive.
A recent report from Gallup found employee engagement globally dropped in 2024—only the second time in the past 12 years. Engagement among managers took a big hit as they face new daunting challenges.
When your managers aren’t happy, your workforce isn’t too far behind. Finding ways to engage employees and developing cultures that meet these new challenges is imperative. Who better to turn to for answers than those with employees reporting high engagement? The September issue of Business NH Magazine celebrates delves into and celebrates the practices of this year’s Best Companies to Work For in New Hampshire,” says Executive Editor Matt Mowry.
Learn more: www.BusinessNHmagazine.com
