13 WTHRLocal company's innovation makes 'top employer' list

Local company's innovation makes 'top employer' list

Rich Van Wyk/Eyewitness News

May 3, 2006 - If you're looking for the best places to work in Indiana, Eyewitness News has the list. But you may not have heard of some of the companies that made the cut.

While some people say work is called so because it isn't fun, one company is breaking that rule, insisting business is a game to be played.

CIK has what workers want and what too few employers know how to or even care to create.
 
"We have a strong teamwork atmosphere, a lot of character within each employee that is enthusiastic and enjoys what they do," said Kevin Smola, CIK employee.

CIK creates and sells direct mail advertising and newspaper inserts that find their way to homes in 38 cities.

Entrepreneurs Scott Hill and Andy Medley began with the belief that business is a game. "When we say game, it doesn't mean we take it lightly.  Michael Jordan didn't take the NBA finals lightly. They are also playing a game worth millions of dollars," said Medley.

Along with MVP banners for outstanding employees, trophies and a game room, there are scoreboards and record books, providing players with sales figures, profits and losses.

"It is a game. You have to know the score. We try to show the numbers where we are at so they understand how to move those numbers to be better," said Hill.

The game plan netted CIK $22 million in sales last year, with each team player scoring $6,000 in bonuses.

"Everyone works really hard and has fun at the same time.  It's really different," said Mandy Sopko, another CIK employee.

It's so different that Indiana's Chamber of Commerce selected CIK Indiana's best small company to work for.  It's an award so sought-after that businesses are proud to make the top 36.

People at CIK believe a good workplace is very good for business.

"Having this kind of culture, having people who believe in the game and play that with us, we will out perform any competitor out there that has one person playing the game," said Hill.

It's a game where CIK is winning big. The company expects sales to increase to $31 million this year. In five years it has grown from two employees to 73. The company is recognized as one of the fastest-growing businesses not just in Indiana, but in the nation as well.