The third annual Top 10 Employers That Stand Out in Bermuda 2011 survey results are in and local insurer BF&M has taken the top spot.This year, The Bottom Line partnered with Mindmaps, one of Bermuda's leading quantitative research firms to take the survey online and provide statistical analysis of the key measurement areas.“On behalf of all the management and staff at BF&M, we were delighted to be considered one of Bermuda's top employers for 2011,” said John Wight, CEO of BF&M. “It's good to get independent confirmation that we are doing some of the right things.”The survey's two phases focused on generating data from both employers and employees regarding a number of key employment areas including staff benefits, hiring rates, workplace safety and conditions, internal communication, compensation, corporate culture and overall satisfaction, among other areas.Entrants representing major industries in Bermuda took part in the 2011 competition. From shipping and hospitality to financial services and insurance, both local and international, it was the largest pool of entrants to date.There were several new entrants this year, including Bacardi and FedEx Express, placing second and third, respectively. There was a tie for fourth place, and two companies who had been on the Honourable Mention list last year, jumped into the top ten.Companies, however, that were named to the Honourable Mention list just barely missed making the top ten, two of which just missed the top by one point.Two themes emerged from analysis of the top companies: employees felt their companies created a ‘family' environment and that their employers offered a wide range of professional development opportunities.At BF&M, the management believe creating a familial atmosphere is an essential element in their success.“When I took over as CEO seven years ago, I was very conscious of the fact that I wanted every employee's career at BF&M to be special, and when they left the company at retirement or other means, that they could look back on their career and feel as though they were challenged and part of a family,” said Mr. Wight, who has been with the company for more than 18 years.“And I think that my management team work hard at developing that culture, and while we don't do everything right, I think by and large we do a lot of things that are important and valued to employees.“To the extent that we spend as much time with our co-workers as we do with our families, it's important to provide an environment where it feels like a BF&M family that's how we refer to it. That type of environment appeals to our staff.”Mr Wight's philosophy is that a company is only as good as its people.Asked how his team demonstrates that philosophy on a daily basis, he said: “We ask our employees what is important to them in their career and they have expressed quite clearly to us that having a challenging work environment which includes things like appropriate training, a family feeling in the company, adequate and appropriate compensation these are all the elements that make staff happy, keep them happy and wanting to do the best they can to service our customers.“We have a very inclusive model at BF&M whereby we encourage all of our employees to provide input for operational planning, and we also have policy of thanking the employees for all their good work throughout the course of the year.”And in that light, BF&M has stated that no staff member would be made redundant due to the economic downturn.“Our philosophy was and still is that you can't build loyalty and trust with your staff if you're hiring in the good times and letting go in bad times. We've been able to maintain that policy, and while there have been some people that have left for a variety of reasons, we have not let anybody go as a result of the recession,” he said.“I believe our philosophy has always been that if you treat our staff well, they will look after our customers. It seems to be a win/win all around.”BF&M is also certified by Investors in People, a globally recognised business and staff development programme. As part of their employee-focused creed, BF&M's management team make pancakes for the staff every Tuesday before Lent and also cook burgers around Cup Match. “It's a way to thank the staff for all they do for our customers.“I've always drawn analogies between family life and work life, and as parents if we encourage and support our children, by and large they grow up to be responsible, happy adults and in the work life, if you treat people well and value their work then by and large they tend to want to do their best for their customers. So I've never viewed this to be rocket science, it just seems to be a business practice that works equally well at home or in the workforce.”Do you think your company has what it takes to be an employer that stands out in Bermuda?Contact us to enter the 2012 survey on info[AT]crowncom.bm or 295-5881.