The ability to tell a story well and in a decidedly compelling way rapidly moved the JohnsonRauhoff nomination to the virtual top of the heap. The judging committee was deeply impressed by the scope and breadth of a world-class business, born and raised right here in Michigan’s Great Southwest, yet playing a major role in the ongoing success of major brand names across the nation. Read the story of how it all got started, where it has lead, and more importantly how the team that works at JR not only survived during the recent pandemic, but has thrived in truly inspirational ways from the front office to every cubicle, kitchen table, home office and beyond. You’ll discover the 6 Action Pillars the team employs every day, the super powers of being able to Leap Over Roadblocks and Rocket Launch Innovations, and even the unique nature of “Martys” (Meeting Parties). It is no doubt especially rewarding for Team JR to achieve the mantle of Best Places to Work in SW Michigan after 50+ years on the job, and in the shadow of their founder’s recent passing from the scene. Continue for a great success story from the shores of Lake Michigan.
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
JohnsonRauhoff
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Chairman & CEO, Jackie Huie and President, Mike Huie
Business Contact Information
Jackie Huie
2525 Lake Pines Drive, St. Joseph, MI 49085
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
45
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Founded in 1969, JohnsonRauhoff (JR) is a strategic content agency with a long track record of delivering results for some of the world’s most admired brands. Starting from humble beginnings in founder Don Johnson’s Southwest Michigan basement, JR has grown into a communications powerhouse ranking nationally and internationally, and holding partnerships with clients such as Lowe’s, Newell Brands and Whirlpool Corporation. The secret to success has been in building a dynamic team that works hard to achieve client goals, while delivering the highest level of service, quality, and value in Marketing, Studio, and Training Services. Privately held and 100-percent woman-owned, JR has been the only communications group in this region to rank #8 in the PROMO 100 while being recognized internationally for community service efforts.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
In spite of a global pandemic that challenged every business in the world and shut down many small and private companies, JR not only survived, but thrived. It has been inspirational to see the way our leadership team jumped into action and raised the bar high to ensure the welfare of employees came first; elevating communication, elevating safety protocols and pivoting swiftly to create work environments more conducive to the hybrid model that many companies are only beginning to explore. Business leaders know that it is not when things are going well that tests the mettle of a company, but how it reacts when faced with hardship. The pandemic made JR an even stronger company, with high morale due to the way the leadership team proactively and tirelessly took action. The result for JR has been increased efficiency, company growth, and what looks like a very bright future.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
We have been told by team members that the company truly cares, listens to ideas, engages employees at all levels, and takes action versus considers making movement unilaterally. In January, company owners conducted half-hour one-on-one calls with each and every employee to get input on what JR could do to be a better company. Call input was organized by President Mike Huie into an action plan, which inspired 6 Action Pillars—Sales Growth, Client Experience, Team Experience, Lean, Innovation, and Profit. Keeping plans transparent, the Leadership Team presented the Action Pillars back to the staff, under the umbrella of, believe it or not, a SuperHero theme. In speaking with HR Director Amy Hemphill about how swiftly we took action, she said, “When I think about last year, I’m proud. When I think about moving forward, I’m excited.” The 45 team members at JR are clearly on board with that consensus.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
This company is awesome. When you join the JR team, you will join a dynamic team that shares the same focus, drive, and commitment to being number one in the industry. The focus at JR is to work hard, have fun, go up against the biggest creative groups in the world and win. Everyone believes in the path the company is taking, loves what they are doing, and gives it their all, every day. Unlike many businesses running all decisions from the numbers, JR invests in its team, treats everyone like family, and truly cares about team member quality of life and the community the company supports.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
- Dynamic 2. Flexible 3. Caring
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One: Leap Over Roadblocks: It was never more obvious than during the pandemic that the “SuperPower” JR holds as a company “SuperHero” is the ability to “Leap Over Roadblocks.” In all industries, there are inherent challenges. In the communications industry, which most closely follows the economy, there are unending roadblocks thrown in the mix that include reduced budgets, reduced time, reduced resources, restrictions and obstacles—the list goes on and on. Team members at JR have gained the “SuperHero Power” to “Leap Over Roadblocks,” pivot, find solutions, and move forward to reach the goal. The drive to achieve is in the culture of the company, founded by Don Johnson and fully embraced by JR leadership which continually reinforces that with each and every obstacle, there is always, always a solution to achieving the goal.
Super Power Two: Rocket Launch Innovations: It was never more obvious than during the pandemic that the “SuperPower” JR holds as a company “SuperHero” is the ability to “Rocket Launch Innovations.” In all industries, there are inherent challenges. In the communications industry, which most closely follows the economy, there are unending roadblocks thrown in the mix that include reduced budgets, reduced time, reduced resources, restrictions and obstacles—the list goes on and on.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? JR keeps spirits and motivation high by ensuring flexibility with a hybrid remote/in-office work model, celebrating wins often, and communicating with team members frequently. Ongoing communication includes weekly Leadership and All-In Team Meetings where leaders share business updates and acknowledge jobs well done with team members. On a quarterly basis, JR leadership conducts JR Martys (“Meeting Parties” sharing business growth and celebrating wins). During the JR Martys the JR Top Dog is announced by the HR Director, who physically presents one team member with an actual Hot Dog Trophy for most exemplifying one of the 7 JR Values of 1) Client Success, 2) All In, 3) Winning As A Team, 4) Driving Change, 5) Efficiency, 6) Mentoring and 7) Philanthropy. At JR, everyone aspires to be a Top Dog.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? JR keeps innovation and fresh ideas advancing by staying abreast of industry trends, encouraging ongoing monitoring of new ways of doing things, and investing heavily in new technologies, industry memberships, and team member training, including certifications and advanced education. When creative juices are stalled, JR is creative about allowing team members to step out of their workspaces, environments, and comfort zones to explore other ways to find solutions.
C] Keep communications open? Communication is very high at JR, with team members hearing from every level of leadership on a weekly basis (see answer A). Fully committed to an “Open Communication Policy,” JR leadership encourages idea submissions from every level of the company, taking all input seriously and worthy of consideration in an effort to improve the culture, work environment, and effectiveness of the company.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
Aside from hitting the 50-year Anniversary as a privately held family-owned business, the “Hall of Fame” award goes to JR for “Creatively Navigating the Pandemic.” Taking swift and creative action, JR stayed active through the global shutdown by setting up remote teams, systems, and workflows, never missing a beat in managing ongoing and incoming business. To keep team members safe, JR also hired Ocean Clean Janitorial Service to clean and spray all surfaces nightly, utilizing a Transform Patented Anti-Microbial Sanitizer to help keep the team safe amidst COVID. According to Ocean Clean owner Dwight Bowman, JR has gone further than most companies in our region to ensure the safety of employees.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? JR practices a culture of ongoing appreciation. During weekly meetings, leaders recognize and thank their team members who went above and beyond on a specific project or business win. More formally, when team members show consistent results, JR rewards that person with a promotion based on their detailed career ladder chart. Finally, JR also issues the Top Dog Award on a quarterly basis, highlighting the peer-selected “hero” from the previous quarter. During a live Google Meet with the JR Team, the Top Dog Trophy (a life-size rubber hot dog on a wooden stand) is personally presented at the home of the team member by HR Director Amy Hemphill.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? Historically, JR has done an outstanding job socializing as a team since team members truly enjoy each other’s company, not just as cohorts, but also as friends. One of many activities that have survived COVID, has been the JR Cycling Team, which meets year-round to bike through Southwest Michigan weekly. Post COVID, the team will again compete in distance cycling. Using technology such as Google Hangouts, the management team meets every Monday and the full agency and studio team meets every Tuesday (as mentioned above). In addition, teams working on projects conduct calls, texts, Google Meet and when possible, connect in person daily. This hybrid approach to working has allowed individuals to provide updates, chat about the previous weekend, and discuss priorities for the week. Additionally, when things are not impacted by the pandemic, JR goes above and beyond with quarterly parties and monthly social events. Post pandemic, the team will again convert the 30,000 square-foot studio into a celebration space for announcements, presentations, appetizers, libations and fun.
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? From donating time to the United Way of Southwest Michigan to Venetian Festival, JR has done a great deal over the years to support community events and causes. For example, JR is currently donating company time to assist in communications with Mosaic CCDA (Christian Community Development Association). Since 1994, JR leadership team members have been Rotarians, donating company time on behalf of service to our community and our world. Two JR Principals are highly active in working with youth—CEO Jackie Huie and President Mike Huie, both who are Rotary Sponsored Interact Club Advisors who work with young people to build organizational and leadership skills. Community service projects include the “Virtual Reading With Grade Schoolers” and international projects include annual mission trips to bring aid to Haitians living among the sugar cane fields of the Dominican Republic, and bringing assistance to mothers with newborn children in African countries, like Sudan. One of the first 6 businesses that piloted Al Pscholka’s “On-Location Program” giving Southwest Michigan 6th Graders a weeklong behind-the-scenes experience in area businesses, JR remains extremely committed to mentoring and philanthropy. The work with On-Location inspired an initiative that has now gone global. Since 2007, JR has donated all company time toward building the Rotary Student Program (www.rotarystudentprogram.org), which now virtually aligns high school students with mentors in dream careers. From retired Whirlpool CEO Jeff Fettig, to New York City Prima Ballerina Misty Copeland, to NASA Nuclear Physicist Sonny White, JR leadership team members have helped build the program into what has now gone global, touching 145 countries. JR has also played an active role in helping the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club of St. Joseph High School host an Annual Career Night where an average of 70 business professionals discuss their careers with area students.
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? This is one company that loves to celebrate life. Recognizing the most important day of the year, the JR CEO and President send a birthday card with a personal message to each employee before the big day. In the card, is a gift card for lunch or dinner and an invitation to take the day off to celebrate life. Additionally, when there is an important event in a team member’s life, JR encourages taking a personal day off. Historically, JR has participated in these events by sending cards, flowers and has gone as far as picking up airfare if the team member is out of town on business and needs to get home quickly, and arranging for fully paid vacations for team members needing to get away. Other JR celebrations include serving a sheet cake with champagne for new business wins, the monthly JR Martys, annual Fall BBQs at a local farm, and Year-end Movie Night, renting an entire theater and watching an uplifting vintage film together (pre- and post-COVID).
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
Join one of the most talented creative teams in the industry, where you will grow as a talent and human being that cares about our planet. Founded in 1969, JohnsonRauhoff (JR) is a strategic content agency with a long track record of delivering results for some of the world’s most admired brands. Based in the scenic Southwest Michigan community, JR has been both nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in its field. If you are dynamic, driven, self-motivated and have a dog, you are our people.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
Truly a cool creative company, JR has attracted talent from around the country to represent the most admired brands in the world, including Comcast, Lowe’s and Whirlpool. What most people don’t know about the award-winning agency is that it is one of the few creative shops in the world that boasts a 30,000-square foot photo studio that does whatever it takes to breathe new life into brands, including sending traveling teams to exotic places, like the Bahamas, renting helicopters to shoot action photos for luxury brands in motion, like Hatteras Yachts.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
- Emphasis on individual personal growth and success
- Hybrid Remote/In-Office Work Model structured during and well beyond COVID
- Competitive benefits with flexible paid time off to ensure a healthy work/life balance
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
Headline: JR Wins Coveted Moody on the Market “Best Places to Work” Award
Selected for its commitment to and creativity in caring for team members, JR was recently honored by Moody on the Market as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
To celebrate, JR is hosting a team party, complete with cake and champagne, and giving each team member an all-expenses-paid trip with their family to their destination of choice.
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
On February 5th, JohnsonRauhoff lost the man who built something from nothing, JR Founder, Don Johnson. To celebrate Don’s legacy, his daughter Jackie Huie, son-in-law Mike Huie, and the JR Leadership Team have elevated their commitment to serving our community, building our team and making JR the unstoppable creative powerhouse that Don had always envisioned.
