Thursday, December 07, 2006
Company Intangibles: Perks
Hello Michigan students. I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving break and are gearing up for final exams. Anyone heading to the Rose Bowl? I know, I know, we should be going to Glendale, Arizona. I already had a place to stay out there, so count me in as one of the more disappointed Michigan fans.
Back to business...
Previously, when I wrote about my company’s volunteer program, I touched on the benefits and perks of working at a large company. I imagine all firms have similar benefits programs for medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, etc. But, I have a few examples of nice incentives that I have observed at my own company and other firms around New York City that fall outside of the standard benefits package. At most major Financial Services companies that I know people at, we all seem to have some or all of these added perks:
Education:
- internal classroom training or continuing education programs on college campuses
- online training
- test prep courses and discounts
- guest speakers (e.g. Carolyn Kepcher from the Apprentice, politicians, Broadway actors, war veterans)
- cultural presentations and organizations
- "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work" day
Health:
- health center/gym on premise or discounts at local providers
- medical center
- cooking classes
- athletic programs and teams
Convenience/Leisure:
- company cafeteria in the building (sometimes subsidized)
- bank branch in the building
- mail facilities such as mobile post office (you might find that you can never make it to the real post office during business hours)
- dry cleaning
- private shuttle bus transportation options
- shoe shine (sometimes at your desk while you work!)
- corporate discount program on loans, mortgages, performing arts, museums, shopping, and more
- meal reimbursement and car service for late night/weekend working hours
- company branded merchandise
Social:
- cocktail receptions with senior management
- networking events
- beer cart
- Town Hall meetings and Open Houses
- holiday party
- team building events (part of group's expense budget)
- Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure NYC
- JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge
- CPR certification
- American Red Cross Disaster Relief teams
- Habitat for Humanity low-income housing projects
- Operation Hope
- official community service days and programs such as Global Community Day
- President's Volunteer Service Awards
I bet small and mid-sized companies also offer these perks, but it seems like larger companies are more likely to have the resources and budget to support them. These incentives are a nice intangible asset to have at one's own company, so when you are at your final round interviews at the actual office locations of a particular firm, try to check out the possible perks that you see in the builiding and surrounding area. A free gym membership, discounted dry cleaning, and subsidized meals can go a long way in saving you money.
M Go Blue. Beat U$C.
