Inside Every Employee
View Case Studies on Award Winning Open-Book companies in various industries.
Skeleton Key was founded in 2004 and began offering services to customers in 2006. There are four offices established throughout Missouri in St. Louis, Columbia, Joplin and Nixa, as well as an office in Lunenburg, MA. This company with seven staff members and one contractor offers specialized computer services, technology consulting, Mac/PC integration, networking and application development to meet the needs of any business.
In 1991, Gary Quick launched Quick Solutions Inc. (QSI) to capitalize on the growing demand for outsourced information-technology consulting services and business/project-management solutions. Headquartered in Westerville (OH), with offices in Columbus and Charlotte, QSI has more than 200 employee-owners who generate annual sales of $27 million.
In 1999, Terry Morrill and his sons bought a small paving-stone business. Today, it’s called Pacific Outdoor Living, and it’s Southern California’s leading designer and installer of high-end landscapes (stone and turf) and aquascapes (ponds and water elements).
Cal-Tex Protective Coatings manufactures a wide variety of sealants and vehicle-care products for the automotive industry. It also provides world-class service and support to its national dealer network. In 2005, insiders say Cal-Tex suddenly “woke up” when leaders there set up an 87% ESOP and later hired a Great Game coach to help fine-tune its quarterly mini-games.
The Booksource Inc., a $31-million distributor of educational trade books, is on a mission to provide teachers across the country with ageappropriate paperback books children will actually read. At the close of 2004, the St. Louis-based company was tracking to do $20 million in sales through its retail division alone, but due to the loss of a large contract, the owners decided to abandon the retail market and focus exclusively on the wholesale market.
Founded in 1978, Bay Shore Systems manufactures, sells and repairs low-clearance, versatile drilling equipment for challenging, limitedaccess site conditions. It also provides contractors and excavators with a wide variety of cutting-edge drilling solutions, technical services and product support.
Ginger Bay Salon & Spa, near St. Louis, is a $4-million provider of high-end beauty and personal wellness services. Opening the books in 2008 to its 70 creative professionals was the salon's first solid step on its path to sustainable financial health and employee ownership.
Federal Companies, based in Illinois, is a $30-million provider of warehousing and logistics solutions. Since 2003, its 290 employees have been playing The Great Game to strengthen their 16 profit centers, enhance their ownership culture and become a market leader in the Midwest.
Chuck Latham Associates (CLA) is a leading broker in the specialty retail areas of pet care, equine products and sporting goods. Its capable team (120 full-time and up to 1,000 part-time associates) helps client's exceed their distribution goals by providing sales, marketing and retail services and expertise.
Founded in 1942 and based in New England, Springfield Spring is a $6-million manufacturer of precision-engineered springs, stampings and assemblies for many industries, including electronics and medical devices. Its 38 associates have been winning The Great Game since 2003.
McGinnis Sisters, based in Pittsburgh, is a $19-million family-run business of three popular, upscale food markets that sell a variety of gourmet delicacies, signature dishes, ethnic specialties and farm-fresh produce, meats and cheeses. The company‟s 215 team members (87 are full-time) have been using Great Game principles since 2005.
The Macayo’s family-owned restaurant tradition began in 1946, when Woody and Victoria Johnson opened their first café in Phoenix. Today, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen is an award-winning chain of 14 restaurants that ring up annual sales of $35 million.
Anthony Wilder Design/Build Inc., a $7-million home remodeler based near Washington, D.C., provides high-end architectural design and construction services. The firm launched The Great Game in 2006, after six years of practicing its own version of open-book management.
Three state-of-the-art, full-service wellness clubs make up Gainesville Health & Fitness Centers (GHFC). Its 375 employees cater to 28,000 members who participate in hundreds of programs that promote fitness, alleviate chronic illness and help solve long-term medical problems.
Founded in 1950, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. is Virginia’s largest property and casualty insurer, with nearly 790 employees in more than 100 offices statewide. The Richmond-based organization provides a wide range of annuity products and insurance lines, including home, life, health, auto, business and farm.
Nick’s Pizza & Pub Ltd., founded on open-book principles in 1995 by Nick Sarillo, is a purpose-driven company that operates two (going on three) popular family-style restaurants located near Chicago. Known for its delicious food, excellent service, friendly atmosphere, great value and rustic décor, Nick’s employs 180 team members who serve about 10,000 guests every week.
Stellar Asia Pacific and its global network of affiliates deliver contact management and business-process solutions to some of the world’s most admired companies. With about 6,000 employees in 24 offices, Stellar handles 300+ million contacts and 100 million transactions every year.
Houston-based Hilcorp Energy, launched in 1989, is the nation’s fourth largest private producer of onshore crude and natural gas, with annual revenue in excess of $900 million. Its explosive growth has been fueled by acquisition, leading-edge exploration/drilling technology and 560+ enterprising employees.
The Great Game of Business
3055 East Division Street
Springfield, MO 65802
(800) 386-2752
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