For the Top Workplaces of 2022 report, we’re highlighting some of the things that help their employers and coworkers thrive every day – and especially during the pandemic.
Jim Boykin dismisses the characteristics of a key employee who kept internet marketing ninjas afloat during the global health crisis.
During the dark early days of the pandemic, Christine Albert led wellness checks, connected with employees and worked as a morale booster at an Internet marketing and search engine optimization firm.
Albert even offered to talk to staff battling the pandemic from the street if needed.
CEO Jim Boykin said Albert was someone everyone could come to “like the mother of the company”.
“I didn’t think twice about texting or calling her on Sunday,” Boykin said. “He’s always there for someone.
“She is the company’s absolute glue in many respects, but will take no credit.”
2022 Top Workplaces in the Capital Region
For more than 10 years, Times Union has partnered with Energage to rank the top workplaces in the capital region. This year, more than 15,500 employees rated their workplace culture – and the results are in. Check out the respected ones:
— Large employers: 300 or more employees
— Medium-sized employers: 100 to 299 employees
– Small employers: less than 100 employees
— Special Honors: Highlighting Distinctive Survey Scores
This year’s leadership award went to Carver Larraway of Carver Cos, Sonny Bonaccio of Bonaccio Construction and Morgan Ruthman of The Spinney Group.
Learn about the survey method.
Albert is humbled by praise.
“I wish he had chosen someone else” to reach out for praise, Albert said. “Unsung is a whole company full of heroes.”
Like many businesses in March 2020, Internet Marketing Ninjas quickly switched to a work-from-home model.
the headquarters: Formerly Clifton Park (now completely remote)
established: 1999
possession: private
Business Area: Full Service Internet Marketing Company Specializing in SEO
Staff: 41
Named a Top Workplace of the Year: 3
Website: internetmarketingninjas.com
This is an arrangement that used to be the company’s Clifton Park office, which has now been made permanent. He decided not to reopen the headquarters after the company’s election.
“We were absolutely shocked at the results,” Boykin said. “More than 85 percent wanted to work remotely permanently.”
So he did. And Albert became the main employee, helping more than three dozen employees navigate the transition. She is easily available 16 hours a day.
“We wanted to make sure everyone was okay,” Albert said. “It was a difficult time and as far as the company is concerned – without our employees we are nothing.”
Now employees can choose their own hours. And socialization is facilitated through a flurry of events—including in-person bashes scheduled for this spring and summer, from a trip to the Altamont Fair to hiking.
Improved communication was previously marked by employees as a desired improvement.
“The interesting result is that the communication really got better,” Boykin said.
Among the new aspects: Boykin bought all Oculus headsets and the team of 41 is experimenting with virtual meetings — even recreating their former office space in a virtual format.
“It’s the next best thing,” Boykin said, “and the most important thing is that we are all safe.”
