Community has a bright shining star…

From  Jim Thoreen 

Glenwood

Small town Minnesota. In far too many cases whether by local choice or by chance, or by failure to read the dynamics of town growth and development, the community has lost, is losing, or has given up on efforts to boost the economics of a town that “once had it all.” Glenwood is no stranger to these realities. But amidst deep challenges to small town Minnesota our community has a bright shining star.

American Solutions for Business (ASB) this year is the Minneapolis StarTribune’s No. 4 employer in the category of businesses with at least 1,000 employees. Last year ASB was employer No. 7 on the annual listing. Any bets as to the next year’s No. 1 employer in the category? Hundreds of businesses seek to be named a top employer by the Strib. The paper utilizes a strict process through a third-party vendor to ensure that certain aspects of every business seeking recognition is graded on a level playing field. Employers each year are ranked through employee score cards which reflects the firm’s promotion and retention policies as well as communications, leadership and benefits.

It all started in 1981 in the basement of company founder Larry Zavadil’s home in Glenwood with six employees, determination, goals/objectives and hard work. In 2000, he sold the company to its employees in order to maintain its integrity, traditions and resources. Through the company’s Stock Ownership Plan every participating employee and sales associate holds a stake in the company’s success.

The StarTribune’s Top Employers list has achieved, in the words of the newspaper, clear distinction as “national standard setters.” Considerably lower on the list you will find companies who have not achieved the level of success as ASB. They’re profitable; they’re good employers in their neighborhoods, but Lunds and Byerlys; Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota; Kwik Trip; and Allianz Life aren’t anywhere near number 4 on the list. I think I can speak for all of us: We are proud of American Solutions for Business. We applaud their success. We thank them for staying in our town.