General Mills is Best Place to Work in IT
June 17, 2009 - Early this week, IDG's Computerworld magazine named General Mills Corporation as the best place to work in information technology (IT) in the United States. General Mills has made the annual "Best Places to Work in IT" list for 11 years, advancing to the No. 1 spot from No. 3 in 2008.
The publication cited the company's successful recruiting strategy, great benefits and varied work experiences in a feature article that appeared in the June 15 issue of the magazine and online at www.computerworld.com. Among the company's many IT successes was the roll out of Office Communicator, a collaboration tool that features instant messaging, voice, chat and desktop-sharing technologies. The IT department, which consists of 641 employees, also helped the Betty Crocker business unit launch a cause-based marketing initiative to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
"We're extremely proud to be recognized by Computerworld as the best place to work in information technology in the United States," says Mike Martiny, vice president of Information Systems for General Mills. "Our commitment to continuous improvement includes individualized mentoring and development plans that lead to broad experiences, an IT industry certifications program, employee-led affinity groups, and high levels of community involvement."
Less than a handful of additional consumer goods manufacturers made the list, whose contents are determined by the more than 27,000 IT workers surveyed. Here's why Altria Group, Kraft Foods and Sherwin-Williams made the cut, according to Computerworld's coverage:
No. 26: Altria Group
Total Employees: 10,458
Total IT Employees: 352
The IT group is working on a few new projects, including the start-up and ongoing support of the company's new Center for Research and Technology, which uses state-of-the-art systems and doubles Altria's research space. IT is also deploying an enterprise data warehouse to consolidate all trade-related information into a single location.
No. 77: Kraft Foods Inc.
Total Employees: 39,093
Total IT Employees: 675
Last year, IT employees learned more about the IT function and strategies at more than two dozen IT-leadership-hosted employee conferences. The IT group has led the introduction of the iPhone into the company and spearheaded initiatives such as employee mobility and social networking. IT employees also piloted improved remote access and smart-device programs.
No. 92: The Sherwin-Williams Company
Total Employees: 31,000
Total IT Employees: 523
The IT department at this paint manufacturer and retailer has a dedicated Engagement Professional to ensure that IT employees optimize their career opportunities. Education is encouraged and supported financially by the company, and employees can change their work schedules to manage school schedules and demands.
To view the complete list of the "Best Places to Work in IT," visit www.computerworld.com.
The publication cited the company's successful recruiting strategy, great benefits and varied work experiences in a feature article that appeared in the June 15 issue of the magazine and online at www.computerworld.com. Among the company's many IT successes was the roll out of Office Communicator, a collaboration tool that features instant messaging, voice, chat and desktop-sharing technologies. The IT department, which consists of 641 employees, also helped the Betty Crocker business unit launch a cause-based marketing initiative to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
"We're extremely proud to be recognized by Computerworld as the best place to work in information technology in the United States," says Mike Martiny, vice president of Information Systems for General Mills. "Our commitment to continuous improvement includes individualized mentoring and development plans that lead to broad experiences, an IT industry certifications program, employee-led affinity groups, and high levels of community involvement."
Less than a handful of additional consumer goods manufacturers made the list, whose contents are determined by the more than 27,000 IT workers surveyed. Here's why Altria Group, Kraft Foods and Sherwin-Williams made the cut, according to Computerworld's coverage:
No. 26: Altria Group
Total Employees: 10,458
Total IT Employees: 352
The IT group is working on a few new projects, including the start-up and ongoing support of the company's new Center for Research and Technology, which uses state-of-the-art systems and doubles Altria's research space. IT is also deploying an enterprise data warehouse to consolidate all trade-related information into a single location.
No. 77: Kraft Foods Inc.
Total Employees: 39,093
Total IT Employees: 675
Last year, IT employees learned more about the IT function and strategies at more than two dozen IT-leadership-hosted employee conferences. The IT group has led the introduction of the iPhone into the company and spearheaded initiatives such as employee mobility and social networking. IT employees also piloted improved remote access and smart-device programs.
No. 92: The Sherwin-Williams Company
Total Employees: 31,000
Total IT Employees: 523
The IT department at this paint manufacturer and retailer has a dedicated Engagement Professional to ensure that IT employees optimize their career opportunities. Education is encouraged and supported financially by the company, and employees can change their work schedules to manage school schedules and demands.
To view the complete list of the "Best Places to Work in IT," visit www.computerworld.com.