Index

TGG Ranked as One of Oregon’s Best Companies to Work For

Last month The Gunter Group (TGG) was recognized as one of Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work For by Oregon Business magazine. The honor marked the ninth time TGG has been named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon.  

As part of the celebration and achievement, we visited with Ande Olson, Manager and Data Services Leader, and Laura Emily, People Leader at TGG to discuss and reflect on this special award.

What does TGG being named one of Oregon Business Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for mean to you?

Ande: It’s a validation of the work our leadership team has done to maintain our culture and it’s an endorsement of how we bring value to our clients that’s different from other companies. We show up differently because we care deeply about our culture and making TGG an enjoyable place to work. Being named one of Oregon Business Magazine’s 100 Best Companies is a wonderful reflection of that diligence. 

Laura: I’m thrilled we continue to be recognized as a best company to work for in Oregon. The Oregon Business Magazine list is actually how I first discovered TGG about seven years ago. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to have experienced our culture in different capacities from my role as a Consultant, to various operational roles, to my current role as People Leader. Ensuring TGG remains an amazing place to work is incredibly important to me. 

This is the ninth time TGG has made the Oregon’s Best list. What do you think contributes to this consistency? 

Ande: Our culture and non-negotiables are at the center of everything we do, from internal, strategic planning to execution for our clients. That focus has allowed us to ensure we have a great workplace and work environment for everyone who decides to work for TGG. We’re fortunate that Oregon’s Best has been able to capture our culture-focused decision-making for the past nine years.

Laura: Our leaders have never strayed from our relentless dedication to preserving our culture. We don’t separate culture from strategy which means that we approach every decision across the firm with impact to culture in mind. In addition, as we grow, we place increasing importance on ways to ensure our employees feel connected, engaged, and empowered to grow with us. 

How would you describe TGG to people outside the organization?

Ande: TGG is a management consulting firm that focuses on pragmatism over dogmatism. We execute on that by focusing on partnering with our clients for the long-term, often requiring us to bend the boundaries of traditional approaches to ensure that we’re creating lasting value for our clients. Our team is dedicated to that mission and when you fold in the focus we have on our culture, we’ve been able to create and maintain a really special place to work.

Laura: TGG partners with our clients to help them solve their business challenges and support them in reaching their short- and long-term goals. We are dedicated to providing exceptional client service by holding ourselves to high standards in the work we deliver and the way we partner. Our non-negotiable values guide all of our interactions, both internally across the team and externally with our clients. 

What elements of TGG’s culture do you appreciate and enjoy the most?

Ande: Two things come to mind: our leadership team’s commitment to transparency and the entire organization’s willingness to collaborate. Our Partners and Principals ensure that everyone understands the direction we’re moving and keeps everyone apprised of major decisions that are being made. It feels good to be included in those big conversations, especially during a tumultuous few COVID years! Additionally, in five years I haven’t once been turned down by someone when asking for help. In the workplace, there isn’t a much better feeling than walking into a difficult situation knowing that you’re fully supported by everyone you work with and that they’re willing to put down their own deliverables to help you out if you need it.

Laura: I most appreciate the amazing people I get to call my teammates. We hire people who are not only exceptional consultants but also great humans. We learn from each other, encourage each other to improve and develop, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. When you combine that with a love for consulting and serving our clients, you get the magic that is TGG. I feel very grateful to have found TGG and to be in a role dedicated to ensuring we remain an outstanding place to be. 

The 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon is an annual showcase that recognizes top Small, Medium, and Large businesses in the state. More than 9,000 employees across a wide range of industries complete an employee engagement survey that encompasses areas such as: management & communications, decision-making & trust, career development & learning, benefits & compensation, and work environment. 

To learn more about a career at The Gunter Group visit: https://guntergroup.com/careers/

TGG Named a Top Provider of Digital Transformation and Agile Services

We are excited to share that The Gunter Group was recently named one of the “10 Most Promising Agile Service Providers” in 2023 by CIOReview magazine. CIOReview conducted a nomination process during which TGG was identified for its Agile work, specifically within the area of Digital Transformation. The recognition was part of CIOReview’s special Agile edition in early December.  

TGG’s results-driven support for organizations undertaking large-scale digital transformation has proven to be a valuable resource for numerous clients as the imperative for digital transformation grows across industries.

Angela Tekulve, Principal Consultant, commented: 

“Our team acts as a force to unite the leadership team, setting them up for success as change agents for their organization. We deliver necessary training, a well-defined roadmap, and a robust plan to guide clients from their present state to the end state.”

When it comes to digital transformation work, TGG leans on its listen-first approach and digital readiness assessment kit to help organizations avoid digital pitfalls like the lack of a shared vision, misaligned culture and change management, under-resourced digital programs, and ambiguous digital operating models.

The TGG tool kit is effective in identifying and evaluating six domains of digital capabilities typically observed in high-performing digital businesses. These include leadership and strategy alignment, customer-focused values, company culture, technology readiness, the process for resourcing, governance, continuous delivery practice (Agile), and existing digital program structure. It is designed to provide a nuanced understanding of organizations’ digital maturity, empowering organizations with first-hand insights into the gaps and opportunities for improvement in the operation models. 

When considering the challenges of digital transformations Matt Bader, TGG Partner, acknowledged: 

“Common challenges for business leaders undertaking a digital transformation pertain to the cross-functional nature of orchestrating a complex, enterprise-wide change. Divergence of perspectives among senior decision-makers can also present problems, which result in digital transformation efforts often being clouded with confusion and differing interpretations.”

TGG is humbled by the CIOReview recognition and is proud of its ability to unite leadership teams and tailor the approach to their culture and needs for complex, challenging digital transformation initiatives.

Read the full CIOReview profile on TGG here: https://www.cioreview.com/the-gunter-group-tgg

– – – 

Interested in learning more about Digital Transformation Readiness? Click here to discover more and download our Digital Transformation Starter Kit.

TGG RECOGNIZED AS A BEST WORKPLACE BY INC. MAGAZINE

The Gunter Group has been named to Inc. Magazine’s 2023 list of Best Workplaces. The recognition marks the third consecutive year that The Gunter Group has been honored by Inc. The list, which is featured in the May/June 2023 issue, and prominently featured on Inc.com, is the result of a comprehensive measurement of United States companies that stand out among their peers by creating exceptional workplaces and company culture. 

When hearing about the workplace award, David Adams, Consultant with The Gunter Group stated: 

“The first emotions that came to me were those of immense pride and satisfaction. I am proud of long standing members of The Gunter Group team who have built the firm into what it is today, I’m proud of those who continue the commitment of making TGG one of the best places to work in 2023, and on a personal note, I feel a great sense of satisfaction being part of this workplace. The second thought that entered my mind was that of validation; this is exactly what The Gunter Group was founded on and it comes as no surprise to me that they have, once again, earned themselves a spot on Inc.’s list of Best Workplaces.”

The Inc. recognition marks the sixteenth workplace award The Gunter Group has received since its inception in 2011. The inclusion on the national workplace award list comes as The Gunter Group continues its expansion efforts in Denver, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Southern California, and beyond. TGG focuses on establishing deep client relationships throughout the country, providing its management consulting services to public and private companies across a variety of industries.

Hearing about the national recognition, Angela Tekulve, Principal at The Gunter Group commented:

“We are a company that is growing, but not at the expense of what we hold most sacred – our people and our culture. I continue to be amazed by the smart, authentic, and kind teammates here at TGG. Thank you to Inc. Magazine – receiving this recognition reinforces that we continue to be focused on what matters.”

Inc. collected data from thousands of submissions for the 2023 application process. Each company that was nominated took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture. The organization’s benefits were also audited to determine overall score and ranking.

TGG RECOGNIZED AS A TOP AGILE SERVICE PROVIDER

We are excited to share that The Gunter Group was recently named one of the “10 Most Promising Agile Service Providers” by CIOReview magazine. TGG was identified through a nomination process for its ongoing and impactful agile work across a variety of industries and organizational levels. The recognition was part of CIOReview’s 5th annual Agile Edition of the publication.

When asked about TGG’s approach to agile initiatives, Principal Consultant and Agile Services Lead Jim Calko commented: 

“We work to seamlessly develop the agile programs that impact the most important strategic initiatives for our clients. To achieve this we take a collaborative approach which results in consensus among the clients’ teams and leads their organizations forward with ease.”

TGG’s unique approach to supporting client partners’ efforts to transform elements of their businesses starts with a committed focus as noted by TGG Partner Matt Bader:

“Companies don’t seek to transform to become experts at agile, they seek to transform to better support their customers and achieve better business outcomes. Our firm places a relentless focus on our clients’ strategic goals by bringing agile expertise and experiences as a capability to help them get there.”

Read the full CIOReview profile on TGG here: https://www.cioreview.com/gunter-group

– – – 

Interested in learning more about agile strategies and practical recommendations – check out TGG’s Agile Blog Series:

INC. BEST WORKPLACES Q&A

The TGG team is excited to share that last month The Gunter Group was named to Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces list for 2022! This was the second year in a row that TGG was recognized with this national honor from Inc.  

When announcing the 2022 winners Scott Omelianuk, Editor-in-Chief of Inc. Magazine stated: 

“The competition this year was tough—thousands of best-in-class companies competed to make the Best Workplaces list, agreeing to employee surveys that determined which participants had the most satisfied teams. All winners have something special in common: a culture that encourages people in a way that allows teams to stay strong in the office or in one’s home office—even if the home office is at the kitchen table! That kind of leadership and the resilience it creates are worth celebrating!”

To highlight what the award means to TGGers everywhere, we visited with three team members located across the Western United States.  

What does the Inc. Magazine Best Workplaces Award mean to you as a member of the TGG team? 

Josh Eife (Denver): As a newer employee, I am not surprised by this recognition because it was evident during the interview process that TGG is a special place. I have not seen an organization as committed to their employees while serving clients in the right way, and this award validates that personal observation. 

Tracy Bell (Seattle): It acknowledges how I feel as an engaged employee –  I work for a company that cares about its employees and supports them to grow and learn. I feel this every day. An award is confirmation that others feel the same.

Jim Calko (Los Angeles): It’s exciting and validating for our organization to be recognized as one of the best places to work in the country. For me having been at TGG since the beginning of the journey, it’s really fulfilling to see as we all do our part to help build something special.  

What makes TGG’s culture special and unique?

Jim: Authenticity and sincerity have been huge components since the beginning. Being able to show up, be your full self and be celebrated. 

Tracy: TGG’s culture is special because it puts values at the center of what we do. They are foundational to how we hire and we show up for ourselves, our company, and our clients. Notably, values are an ongoing conversation at TGG which is a rare practice in and of itself. 

Josh: Genuine relationships! TGG’s emphasis on hard work, doing the right thing, and making friends along the way is a rare dynamic in the working world. We are all on this journey together, and having value-based colleagues makes it a special place to work.

—

Interested in learning more about how our great culture comes to life? Click here and see what fuels our team, our relationships, and our work. 

Ready to jump in? Our TGG team is growing and we are currently hiring! Click here to see our open positions and apply.

TGG RECOGNIZED ON NATIONAL BEST WORKPLACES LIST

For the second year in a row, The Gunter Group has been named to Inc. Magazine’s annual Best Workplaces list. Featured in the May/June 2022 issue, and prominently featured on Inc.com, the list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture. 

The Inc. recognition marks the thirteenth workplace award The Gunter Group has received since its inception in 2011. The honor comes as The Gunter Group successfully undertakes expansion efforts in Denver, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, and Southern California providing its management consulting services to public and private companies across a variety of industries.

Upon learning of the national recognition, Mike Gunter, founder of The Gunter Group commented:

“We are thrilled to receive this award for the second year in a row. It is a true testament to our team and the culture we have built together in our company, and continue to build as we grow our team across the country. Our goal has always been to put people first and being nationally recognized by Inc. is a great honor.”

After collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. selected 475 honorees this year. Each company that was nominated took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture. The organization’s benefits were also audited to determine overall score and ranking.

About The Gunter Group

Founded in 2011, The Gunter Group features an experienced team of consultants serving clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western United States. The Gunter Group prides itself on providing consulting services to a broad range of organizations spanning Fortune 100 companies to locally-based businesses. The firm has been named one of the “Best Companies to Work For” in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine for eight consecutive years and named one of the “Best Small Firms to Work For” by Consulting Magazine three years in a row. The Gunter Group currently has over 70 team members with operational hubs in Portland, Reno, Salt Lake City, and Denver.  

About Inc. Media

The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

About Quantum Workplace

Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com.

TGG PARTNERS Q&A – 2022 OREGON BUSINESS AWARD

Last week, The Gunter Group was recognized as the #3 Best Company to Work For in Oregon in the medium-sized business category, according to Oregon Business. This marks the second year in a row that TGG has ranked in the top three and the eighth consecutive year that TGG has been honored by Oregon Business as a Best Company to Work For in Oregon.

We visited with partners, Mike and Ashleigh Gunter, Matt Bader, and Tony Schweiss to hear more about what makes the 2022 Oregon Business honor special.

This is the second year in a row TGG has finished in the top three, what were your reactions when you read the rankings? 

Ashleigh: For me, I was incredibly excited and incredibly grateful. Excited because it validates the work we do daily to build and maintain our culture  and grateful because our amazing team members are the ones who live out our culture and our Non-Negotiables every day with each other and with clients.  

Tony: I agree with everything Ashleigh said and would add that the recognition was also validating because our company continues to add new team members every year and we recognize that just because you have a strong workplace environment doesn’t automatically guarantee it will stay that way over time. For us, growing year-over-year while not only maintaining, but furthering our culture in the midst of a pandemic stricken society… it confirms that we have been investing time and resources in the right places as an organization. 

On that note, how has TGG been able to maintain its workplace culture while steadily growing and expanding into new markets?

Matt: As leaders we really focus on listening to our team. Our mission has been, and will continue to be, to maximize potential for our consultants, our clients, and our communities. We genuinely engage our team in conversations about how to make our organization better and stronger, and a company that they are proud to be a part of. The strength and character of our team is our highest priority and it fuels the strength and character of our culture. 

Mike: Absolutely. Building off of that further, we continue to look at every business decision, large or small, through the lens of our Non-Negotiables. Does what we want to do or what we think we should do align with all of our Non-Negotiables? Not just one or two of them, but all of them. As we look at continuing to build our company and grow into new markets over the next few years, our Non-Negotiables have never been more important as the basis for framing our decisions..  

The Gunter Group has made the Best Companies to Work For in Oregon list for eight consecutive years. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear that statement?  Ready, go!

Mike: To our team, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ashleigh: Wow! Let’s keep it going!

Matt: Here’s to 8 more! I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Tony: I am honored to be a part of such an exceptional organization. I hope our whole team takes pride in this recognition!

INC. MAGAZINE NAMES TGG BEST WORKPLACE FOR 2021

We are thrilled to share that The Gunter Group has been named to Inc. Magazine’s highly competitive list of Best Workplaces for 2021. The Gunter Group was also recognized on Inc.’s selective Best Workplaces Editors’ List which is defined as a “showcase of companies that are not only the best workplace but are taking it a step further, pushing the boundaries and building a workplace of the future.”

Receiving recognition from a nationally respected publication is something that makes our team extremely proud and for which we are truly grateful.

When asked about the significance of the Inc. award, TGG Principal Consultant Angela Tekulve commented: 

“Every single day I work with my colleagues, I am reminded how lucky I am to be part of this amazing organization. I am proud to be part of a team that has been there for each other, our clients and our community in ways we could have never predicted a year ago. Being awarded one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces in 2021 is exciting, humbling and a validation that The Gunter Group is focused on the things that matter.”

When announcing TGG’s award, Scott Omelianuk, Editor-in-Chief of Inc. magazine stated:

“This is no small feat, as this year’s field of entries was the most competitive we’ve ever seen. In 2021, thousands of companies applied to be recognized as one of the best workplaces in America. From the many remarkable companies vying for the award, only a fraction are being honored as Inc.’s 2021 Best Workplaces. Clearly, The Gunter Group has gone through extraordinary lengths to attract, develop, and maintain its workforce.”

The 2021 Inc. Top Workplaces list was publicly revealed online on May 12th, 2021 and will be published in the May/June print edition of the magazine. Over 3,000 nominations are received annually from across the United States and employee surveys are conducted and reviewed by Quantum Workplace. According to Quantum Workplace, the survey program measures a wide range of research-validated workplace factors that impact employee engagement and satisfaction. 

To learn more about the 2021 Inc. Best Workplaces list and see the complete rankings visit: https://www.inc.com/best-workplaces/2021/