The Owners' Manual Newsletter | Issue 23 | Winter 2022

For a committee program to be successful for engagement, however, it needs to have certain features in place: + Committees need structure. Which committees make sense for your firm? How will committees operate? At BL, we have more than 10 committees ranging from culture- focused committees like the Giving Back Committee, to technical-focused committees like the Safety Committee, to benefit-focused committees like the 401(k) Committee. There is a clear process for joining and participating in committees as well as revolving off committees. These rules make it easy for new employees to get involved and start making an impact. + Committees need to matter. This is two-fold: Committees need to be appreciated and have a tangible impact on your firm, and they also need to have a tangible impact on your employees. Employees won’t be engaged if committees are just a mouthpiece for senior leadership, with no real influence. Likewise, employees won’t be engaged if their efforts are unappreciated or unrewarded. BL gives our committees a lot of freedom and weget better,more innovative ideas as a result.Wemake sure todocument the impact of our committees, including an end-of-year report which details each committee’s goals, achievements, and members. But most importantly, we value and reward committee involvement. Development plans and performance reviews can include committee contributions, and our employees are paid for time dedicated to committee work. While not required of all employees, committees are treated as one of the ways an employee can go above and beyond at BL and involvement is appreciated by senior leadership for their role in completing important work that may not get accomplished otherwise. + Committees should be a unique opportunity for growth. They should give employees the chance to try something new or out of their comfort zone. They should provide an opportunity for more junior employees to develop leadership skills, no matter their level of experience. They should connect employees of all disciplines, offices, and levels. And ultimately, committees should enhance an employee’s work experience. Committees are just one way we’ve increased engagement at BL, and they remain a highly effective tool for creating engaged employees. More than 35 percent of employees currently serve on at least one committee, and the impact our committeemembers make is meaningful, tangible, and appreciated. Their ideas are respected, and their voice is heard. And most importantly, committee efforts are rewarding both personally and professionally. Overall, committees should be an enriching experience, and if you design your own committee program well, they will foster a culture of true engagement.

issue 23 // 29