Basic HTML Version
May/June 2012 –
BizVoice
/Indiana Chamber
27
SMALL/MEDIUM COMPANIES
Briscoe: “They’re great bosses.”
Elmlinger: “They’re good people.”
Briscoe: “I guess I shouldn’t say good bosses.”
Elmlinger: “But they’re great bosses too.”
In fact, when asked when she realized that “Wow, I made a
great decision” coming here, Briscoe replies: “I feel like I say that,
if it’s not on a daily basis, it’s almost a daily basis. We’re all on the
same page. We all feel so lucky to be here every day.”
For Elmlinger, “I think it’s human nature to always want
more – the whole grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
I’ve never considered leaving.”
Taking care of the team
On the benefits side of the equation, Hollingsworth & Zivitz
provides resources not normally seen in such a small business.
A lump sum for health care expenses allows each employee
(choosing from several plans) to cover 100% of their medical,
dental and vision premiums. The remainder can be utilized for a
family plan or life/disability coverage.
A wellness initiative in the last several years includes annual
screenings, leading to a yearly plan for improvement; 24-hour nurse
hotline; reimbursements for gym memberships and more. Donuts
have been replaced with fruit (most of the time) at meetings, staffers
participate in Race for the Cure and other events and a “maintain
don’t gain” weight competition took place during the holidays.
And then there are the little things.
Zivitz gives the example of attorneys hitting their billable
hours for the month and the company paying their cell phone
bill. Champagne toasts to celebrate a favorable ruling or court
outcome are enjoyed by all.
“Even just saying ‘good job,’ ” Hollingsworth chimes in, “or
going by people’s offices in the morning” and congratulating them
on a job well done. “We want to give them the confidence we
have in them to continue to do great things.”
And one can’t forget the “Ho-Zivies,” based on the Dundie
awards of
The Office
fame. Among the first-time trophies: Laugh
Out Loud for Hollingsworth, who admits, “They say when I come
in they know I’m here before they see me because I’m always
laughing,” and Fertile Myrtle for Zivitz, who has added to the
H&Z family with three children in the last three years.
Growing into a new role
Elizabeth Eichholtz started at H&Z as a law clerk while still in school. She took three
months off in the summer of 2011 as she studied for her law school exams.
“There were times I would come in and try to go to my office and work, but we’re all such
great friends,” she remembers. “I would have to close my door and come out hours later, and
there would be all these signs (wishing her luck, letting the uninformed know she needed to study)
on the door. I truly did miss everyone.”
There were numerous texts and phone calls wishing her luck. Cake, balloons and a celebration
followed when she made her successful return.
“Once I came on as an attorney, they’ve done a lot just to instill confidence in myself that
wasn’t necessarily there at first,” says Eichholtz, citing “giving me a lot of responsibility. They’ve
taught me so much over the last three years. I almost feel guilty how many questions I ask, but
not once have any of the partners or other associates made me feel guilty for coming in and
asking a question on a case or having them talk about their experiences.”
Fun times for the H&Z team –
at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, in the Halloween
spirit and in support of the
Indiana Fever.