PRESQUE ISLE - The state of Maine now knows what the 130 employees at MMG Insurance Co. have known for some time … MMG is one of the best places to work.

At a ceremony held Oct. 2 at the Augusta Civic Center, MMG was named one of the 2007 Best Places to Work in Maine. Of the 18 medium companies – with anywhere from 25 to 249 employees – MMG was ranked number one.

The event, presented in conjunction with the Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Department of Labor, JobsInME.com, Employment Times, Mainebiz, Verill Dana and ProSearch, recognizes companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments.

Any firm with at least 15 employees in Maine was eligible to participate in the program. All registered companies were then surveyed by ModernThink, LLC, a professional research firm, which analyzed the results of employer and employee questionnaires to determine the companies that were “the Best Places to Work in Maine.”

Part one of the assessment (75 percent of each company’s score) consisted of a confidential employee survey (65 questions) used to evaluate the employees’ workplace experience. Part two of the assessment (25 percent of each company’s score) consisted of an employer survey where information was collected about each company’s benefits, policies, practices and other general information. The two combined assessments allowed the experts at ModernThink to provide an in-depth analysis of the strengths and opportunities that exist in each company to build a better workplace.

Each company that participated received an Assessment Findings Report that summarized the employee data collected. Not only is the report filled with information about how the employees are feeling, but it also includes averaged benchmarking data from the companies that made the list.

In addition, each company has the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with one of ModernThink’s analysts to review the results.

 “We feel great about coming in number-one,” said Larry Shaw, president and chief executive officer of MMG. “It’s an affirmation that the approach we’re doing – providing an environment that the employees enjoy – is working.

“That involves a whole host of initiatives and ways we do things,” he said. “The employees enjoy both the opportunity for professional development, and the fact that the company is concerned about them personally. We take a lot of pride in being employee friendly.”

One example of fostering a friendly workplace environment is that parents are encouraged to go to a child’s soccer game or school function during the day.

 “We work with them on that,” said Shaw. “It’s a natural give and take. There’s a mix between the personal and professional lives … as hard as our employees work, they have to merge. If our employees get out of bed in the morning and are excited about coming to work, that will positively affect their job performance.”

The Best Places to Work in Maine program was designed to honor companies in the state that show dedication to their employees’ growth and quality of life, develop definitive information to help existing Maine firms retain their workforce, promote Maine’s best employment opportunities to attract new workers, and distinguish businesses in the state that attract and retain Maine’s talented workforce.

MMG was the only business in Aroostook County to be named a finalist not only in the medium company category, but small and large companies, as well.

Shaw said 95 percent of employees filled out the survey.

 “We had a high turnout, which is good,” he said. “We’ll get the breakdown from the survey soon and review it. Any areas where we scored below 85 percent we’ll look at to improve. We’ll look at it with open minds and try to strike the balance as to what’s the right approach.”

In 2006, MMG was named the second best place to work in Maine. The CEO said there were a lot of great suggestions to come out of last year’s survey, and expects this year to be no different.

 “Last year, the biggest thing we needed to work on – according to our employees – was communication,” said Shaw. “Now what I do is meet with a group of 12 to 15 employees every month in what we call a Brown Bag Lunch Session. Myself and other members of the executive management team meet with the employees and talk about whatever they want.

 “In smaller groups,” he said, “people are more apt to ask questions than in larger groups.”

Recognizing that it’s critical to keep a motivated workforce, Shaw said the company won’t rest on its laurels and recent accolades.

 “This really drives home that the Aroostook County workforce is capable of competing on a state and national basis,” he said. “Our belief is if we’re a great place to work, great things will happen, and whenever we show it can be done right here, that’s a great thing.

 “We want to continue to strive to be the best place we can to work,” said Shaw. “Our business model is driven by a continuous need to improve. Hopefully we’ll be able to add another award to our trophy case next year.”