Ingram's May 2023

SMALL COMPANIES

THE ROBERT E. MILLER GROUP Executive leaders come and go. Times change. But values transcend generations. You can see that playing out in real-time at The Robert E. Miller Group, the insurance and benefits specialists are now in their third generation of family leadership. That transi tion came earlier this year when Amber Manning, whose grandfa ther founded the Kansas City firm, took the reins as chief executive. “Over the past 61 years, The Miller Group has built a company and culture where employees feel valued, supported, and stable,” says HR director Laura Forbes. “Our decisions are guided by our core values of God, family, and community which helps us provide a supportive, family-friendly culture.” For a firm that lives in the insurance space, one would expect that the Miller Group’s benefits

RPS FINANCIAL SERVICES The CorporateSpeak gobbledy-gook quotient in this mission statement for RPS Financial Group is precisely zero: “To help our cli ents, financial representatives, and employees create successful, well balanced, and intentional lifestyles.” That’s one way CEO R. Philip Sarnecki aligns a compact staff of 40 with achieving strong organiza tional growth. Competing for talent in the financial services industry, in particular, requires competitive salaries and solid benefits design. At Leawood-based RPS, that means a health-care insurance plan with 80 percent of the premium paid by the company, along with a robust suite of other risk-management tools covering emloyees’ den tal, vision, critical illness, short-term and long-term disability needs, plus life and accident insurance, flexible-spending and health savings accounts. Addressing financial needs, RPS offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan that matches up to 3 percent of an employee’s annual compensation. In addition, all full-time employees are eligible for a highly competitive three weeks of paid time off every full calendar year and are eligible for more time off as their tenure with the com pany increases. “We also have a great work environment,” says HR executive Rebecca Gonzalez, and that extends beyond the office staff to more than 500 independent financial services contractors. “Our office was recently remodeled, and we can all work in a beautiful space every day. We host a variety of events throughout the year to keep a high level of employee engagement.” Among those are the firm’s Southern Summer Contest, annual recognition dinner, Office Pumpkin Patch, and both a Christmas luncheon and Christmas party each year. “We also host a couple of team-building events throughout the year that allow us to spend time with the team outside of working hours,” Gonzalez says. Every quarter, RPS recognizes one employee

(L to R): Andy Holmes , Chief Financial Officer; Sean Miller , Chairman; Amber Manning , Chief Executive Officer; Matt Miller , President; Pat Murphy , Chief Revenue Officer.

and wellness programming would reflect best practices. One would be right: The company takes a holistic approach and continually enhances initiatives to meet employees’ needs. Employees find health-saving plan options within that benefits package, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, fitness-tracker reimbursements, reduced medical premiums through the wellness program, a new pay advance program, and more. It has also added a third medical plan to meet associates’ needs and chose to lower employee premiums. And honestly: How many companies with a total staff of 61 have an employee assistance program? Miller does. Because the leadership sees a strong work/life balance as essential, it has implemented unlimited PTO. Financial stability is always a key piece of the staff retention puzzle. The Miller Group solved that once again in 2022 by breaking several business records and recording its best revenue year while maintaining a 91 percent client retention rate. Training and development are key factors in staff retention, as well—associ ate turnover was only about 5 percent last year. Several associates have participated in emerging-leader programs. The firm invests in developing younger workers who are ready to move into leader ship positions and front-line managers who may be candidates for higher positions. Reflecting the Jesuit education in leadership his tory, community is a core value for the firm, which believes that a sense of purpose comes through supporting one’s community and can also build mental well-being. Associates are given a paid vol unteer day, they can donate to local non-profits and the firm will match it through its Miller Way initiative. Last year, that program alone donated more than $120,000 to local non-profits. On top of that, it presented employees with a unique challenge last summer: Each associate was given two $50 bills to distribute to someone in need. They then shared stories during all-associate meetings about how those efforts affected random people in the community.

with its “Commitment to Excellence” award, and every employee has the opportunity to nominate someone they believe should receive this award. That prized recognition helps reward high-level excellence in the workplace, she says. Philanthropic efforts connect RPS with various charities and non-profits in the Kansas City area, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a foundation dedi cated to fighting childhood cancer. Every quarter, RPS spotlights and donates to a different organization, and supports others with volun teer work. Most recently, that included the Rose Brooks Center, a domestic violence shelter that offers safety and support to adults, children, and pets experiencing domestic violence. All of it is part and parcel to Sarnecki’s view of organizational leadership—he takes it personally. “People matter,” he once told an interviewer. “How you treat anyone in an organization reveals everything about you.” (Left to right): Jill White , Chief Financial Officer; Kevin Farrell , Chief Growth Officer/ President Wealth Management; Darla Goodrich , Chief Supervision Officer; Lesle Griessel , Associate Managing Partner; Rebecca Gonzalez , Human Resources Generalist; Brooke Rosel , Chief Operating Officer; Philip Sarnecki , Managing Partner & CEO.

32

I ngr am ’ s

May 2023

Ingrams.com