Life at CG |
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Clifton Gunderson is truly a career-oriented firm, with the "Growth of our people" at the center of our career development strategy. By offering you more choices, more flexibility, and more opportunities to grow as a person and as a professional, we help you maximize life. Here are just a few of the ways we're doing more to help you get more out of Project: Life.
Strategically Planned Staff-to-Partner Ratio
The staff-to-partner ratio at Clifton Gunderson works to everyone's benefit, because it is planned with employee and client needs in mind. Unlike larger firms, where a partner or senior manager may have dozens of direct reports and lack the ability to devote one-on-one attention to staff, CG's staff-to-partner ratio creates smaller, more manageable business units, and allows the partner or senior manager more time and ability to get to know and truly develop each member of the team. Because of these smaller work units, CG's partners and senior managers stay technically sharp and have the ability to work closely with each client to develop a beneficial relationship and awareness of their specific needs. This structure is a key reason why CG is known for having some of the best managers in the profession – it lives in our mission statement, "Growth of our People. Growth of our Clients. All Else Follows."
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CG's Career Development Network / Mentor Program
The Career Development Network (CDN), CG's mentor program, is the foundation of career development the CG Way. The CDN symbolizes our commitment to accelerating the professional growth and development of our employees and partners. It is with your career development advisor (mentor) that you have the opportunity to create an individualized career path, with sincere developmental coaching and feedback from someone who cares about you and who knows how to take you where you want to go. Experienced professionals get not only a mentor of their own, but they also have the opportunity to be a mentor to less tenured staff. This opportunity provides the framework for excellent managers that have the time and support to develop and grow each individual.
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HOT Management
Clifton Gunderson was the first major firm to practice HOT Management, a proven management technique created by generational expert, Bruce Tulgan. The term "HOT Management" describes the highly engaged, developmental management style, techniques, skills, best practices, and habits of the most effective supervisory managers in today's extremely demanding workplace.
HOT Management as a tool is largely based upon the focused research performed by Rainmaker Thinking (Bruce Tulgan) about breakthrough management approaches that maintain the flexibility and innovation required for today's workforce, while balancing the productivity needs of employees and organizations.
At CG, the fundamental principle of HOT Management is that work is a transaction between employees and supervisors, one that requires supervisory, hands-on strategies in place of out-dated and less effective hierarchical tactics.
HOT Management creates open communication, accelerates career growth and links rewards to performance. Through HOT Management, employees and supervisors discuss assignments and expectations together and hold each other accountable, forming a cohesive and effective team.
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HOT Spot Reward Program
Daily recognition for a job well done is something that is all too often overlooked. But not at CG! CG has a just-in-time, spot recognition program that rewards employees for their daily, above-and-beyond achievements. These awards come in the form of gifts, time off, and cash bonuses throughout the year. CG employees achieve greater job satisfaction because they're not just rewarded annually, but receive daily support and appreciation.
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Flexible Work Arrangements
Helping you find a balance among all elements of life—work, family, community service, and recreation—is not just a priority, but also a crucial part of Project: Life. Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) help you be more productive, serve clients better, and offer you a higher quality of life. You, not the supervisor, design the FWA. Those who have taken advantage of the FWA program indicate that they feel less stressed, are able to better deal with personal emergencies, have experienced easier transitions in and out of the workforce, and have more opportunities for skill building and career growth.
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CG University
Clifton Gunderson University (CGU) is a knowledge portal designed to provide just-in-time learning for each employee and partner. CGU provides a framework to cultivate individual learning and knowledge and enhance on-the-job training. It's career development the CG Way, and it is a vital tool that you can use to maximize your professional success. The university's GROW, THRIVE, and LEAD curriculums provide tailored learning to meet your career development needs in every phase of your career.
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Leadership Development
We are proud to have some of the best managers in the profession. Our managers are not just technical experts. They facilitate the "Growth of our People" through several best practices, including formalized training. Experienced professionals at CG are given the time, support, and flexibility to continually develop inside and outside of the office. This continuous learning environment provides an opportunity for each employee and manager to hone their managerial and leadership abilities.
While several leadership development opportunities are available at CG through our GROW and LEAD curriculums, our newest and most advanced leadership initiative, the Clifton Gunderson Leadership Academy (CGLA), provides for the development of future leaders for our firm. Participants in the academy complete a 360 degree assessment, attend external leadership development training, and work with senior executives on firm-sponsored strategic projects.
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The Predictive Index
Clifton Gunderson further invests in our people by providing the Predictive Index (PI), a tool that measures the work-related behaviors and motivational needs of people in organizations. The PI gives CG managers the power and knowledge to best motivate, lead, and position people to achieve goals. Through the PI, team members at CG better understand each other and communicate more effectively, thus enhancing the overall office culture. Using the PI is another step to successfully completing Project: Life.
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