Emmis: A Great Place to Work
Over the last twenty-five years, Emmis has created one of the communications industry's truly unique work environments, known by one and all simply as the Emmis Culture. The Emmis Culture carries at its heart the belief that, in order to achieve great things, a company must take risks, treat its people well and give them the tools they need to win. It has earned Emmis a reputation as an exciting and innovative company where every individual is a part of the team. The Emmis Culture is designed to produce high achievement and high worker satisfaction, while maintaining equally high standards of excellence and performance.
FORTUNE magazine's 2005 ranking of Emmis as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" was based on two things: Fortune's evaluation of the policies and culture of the company, and the opinions of the company's own employees. Emmis is one of the few media companies ever to appear on FORTUNE's "Top 100" list. Emmis also believes that one cannot succeed in business without being a good corporate citizen. Media owners and operators have a special responsibility to the communities they serve. Emmis and its employees donate thousands of hours on the air and in the community to combat problems such as illiteracy and poverty, respond to national disasters and other tragedies, and improve the quality of life for citizens and those in need in each and every one of its markets around the world.
Over the years, Emmis has donated millions of dollars in charitable contributions in the cities where it broadcasts and publishes. These contributions take many forms, including funds raised through on-air events, sponsorships or in-kind donations of products and services. In Hungary, for example, Slager Radio used the power of radio to create an auction of watches donated by leaders from every political party, including the Prime Minister, raising a record amount in charitable contributions. In Bulgaria, FM+ waged a major campaign against drunk driving.
In 2003, Emmis earned the National Association of Broadcasters' Hubbard Award, given to recognize companies and individuals that do the most for their communities. The company wants to do more than simply operate in its communities; it wants to help make those communities better places. The company does this not only to do good, but to do good business: Emmis believes that by strengthening the communities it serves, it strengthens the company as well.
At the heart of the company are the "Eleven Commandments of EMMIS." The commandments are prominently displayed at the company's world headquarters on Monument Circle in Indianapolis and in employee work areas throughout the company. Designed to encourage a radical approach to traditional business philosophy, the commandments are:
- 11. Admit your mistakes
- 10. Be flexible - keep an open mind
- 9. Be rational - look at all the options
- 8. Have fun - don't take this too seriously
- 7. Never get smug
- 6. Don't underprice yourself or your medium - don't attack the industry; build it up
- 5. Believe in yourself - if you think you can make it happen, you will
- 4. Never jeopardize your integrity - we win the right way or we don't win at all.
- 3. Be good to your people - get them into the game and give them a piece of the pie.
- 2. Be passionate about what you do and compassionate about how you do it.
- 1. Take care of your audiences and your advertisers - think of them and you'll win.