May/June 2016 – BizVoice/Indiana Chamber
73
Walls lined with delectable treats and
signs of creativity prove appealing for
SmartIT employees.
GETTING TO KNOW
“I think a big reason we’re a
Best Place to Work is because
we try really hard to be. My
business partner and I worked
twice together before we started
this company, and one goal
we’ve always had was to be the
sort of employer that we wanted
to work for. We’re really
mindful about that and put a lot
of effort into it.”
– Paul Rothwell, COO
SmartIT
By Matt Ottinger
SmartIT
INTELLIGENTLY FOCUSING ON HAPPY EMPLOYEES
Booting up
• Founded: 2005
• Relocated: Moved to Zionsville in 2015
• Locations: Indianapolis/Zionsville;
Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio
• Clients: Over 50 in about 30 states
• Services: IT staffing, talent acquisition and
consulting
Giving back
• Employees receive two extra days off to
help non-profits; financial incentives match
awards to employees’ favorite organizations
• Beneficiaries: Habitat for Humanity,
Special Olympics and many others
Living well
On-site amenities include:
• Full gymwith showers and lockers; on-site yoga
classes; treadmill desks and fitness center
• Nursing room for new mothers
• Outdoor patio; ping pong table; and
cornhole boards
“We loved being in downtown Indianapolis in
the energy of all that was going on, but we
rented and didn’t own our building. We did a
work study and surveyed employees about
what they wanted, and didn’t feel we could
accomplish it in a space that we didn’t own.”
Tuning in to staff
• On-staff director of employee engagement
• Over 20 recruiters companywide look for
top talent
• Internal conference rooms with creative,
music-related names like LinkedIn Park,
Flock of SQL’s, Perl Jam, Johnny Cache,
Agile Lovett and Hack Sabbath
• Launching an app in May (during a staff
outing at a Cincinnati Reds game) to
enhance engagement among employees and
consultants
Feeding frenzy
• Starbucks machine
• Wall of canisters filled with chocolate
candies and other treats
• Beer fridge
• Plans are in the works to provide some full
meals
• Food also plays a role in how the company
gives back to the community
“As a company, we’ll sign up to bring meals
to the Ronald McDonald House. We’ll do the
meal prep and serve. And I’ll buy extra Girl
Scout cookies from my daughter to send. We
support a lot of non-profits and it’s important
to all of us that we give back. We’re very
appreciative for what we have here.”
May/June 2016 – BizVoice/Indiana Chamber
73
COO Paul Rothwell helps a
student with ground
beautification at IPS School
114 during IndyDoDay.