Makovsky + Company

Company: Makovsky + Company, New York, NY
Company Description: Makovsky + Company is one of the nation’s leading independent global public relations, investor relations and branding consultancies, specializing in integrated communications programs for the financial, professional services, health, technology and business services sectors.
Nomination Category: Human Resources Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Human Resources Executive of the Year

Nomination Title: Steve Seeman, Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources

1. Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2009 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

          Last year should have been a tough one for Makovsky + Company. It was for most
          PR agencies. For Makovsky, 2009 was a red letter year, thanks to the firm’s
          specialized focus, the effectiveness of our campaigns and the stellar quality
          of the people who execute them.

          Steve Seeman’s job—and his passion—is to ensure the continuing quality of the
          human element in that equation. In 2009, his efforts led to a number of
          awards, including our recognition by The Holmes Report as “Best Agency to Work
          For” agency…again, for the sixth year running. The firm was just honored in
          2010 with the Iron SABRE Award for “Best Employee Program,” which recognized
          Steve’s pioneering, morale-boosting programs. In fact, the founder of the SABRE
          Awards sent him the following note: “Congrats. I thought you made an incredibly
          impressive commitment to staff in a difficult year, so the award was one of the
          easier picks of the year.”

          In addition, Steve found the time to share his expertise with the industry by
          serving as a member of the HR Roundtable of the Council of PR Firms and
          authoring PRWeek career advice columns. He was also seen as a go-to expert
          source for publications including Human Resources Executive and The New York
          Post.

The Power of Specialized Thinking

          Thirty years ago, at a time when the rest of our industry was touting the
          benefits of generalization, Makovsky was founded on the conviction that
          specialization is the best way to build reputation, sales and fair valuation
          for our clients.   Delivering on the promise of “The Power of Specialized
          Thinking” requires a certain type of professional:   analytical,
          entrepreneurial and energetic, with deep knowledge and relevant relationships.

        Steve is responsible for attracting, developing and retaining the talent that
          is the engine of our growth.   In 2009, he significantly expanded the firm’s
          use of social media for recruitment purposes and introduced 11 new
          professionals to our Financial Services, Technology, Health, Investor Relations
          and Branding practices.

Providing Support + Recognition

To maximize staff tenure, Steve has developed and continuously refines a
comprehensive toolkit for employee success:

          •   Mak University, a continuing education program with seminars, workshops
          and personal coaching. In 2009, Steve expanded the curriculum to include
          advanced training sessions for the firm’s “rising stars.”
          •   Pathway to Growth career guide.
          •   “We Achieve” program honoring colleagues who role-model the firm’s
          values.
          •   Monthly staff meetings with guest speakers on business, financial,
          political and cultural topics.
          •   The internal MAK Awards, where outside judges select the best campaigns
          of the year.
          •   The new Young Leadership Award, for junior staff, based on best
          original thinking for clients.
          •   The Hot Award, given quarterly for performance “above and beyond the
          call of duty.”
          •   Mak News quarterly employee newsletter.
          •   A suite of work/life balance initiatives, including flexible
          scheduling, telecommuting and our Lifestyle Committee.
          •   An intern program, open to college students and recent graduates.

Linking Human Capital + Business Success

          There is a clear cause-and-effect relationship between loyal employees and a
          loyal customer base. Research has shown that companies that manage people
          right outperform companies that don’t by as much as 40%.

We believe our superb staff retention rate of 90% has contributed directly to
our industry-leading client retention rate (80%).

          In fact, more than 90% of our clients rate Makovsky “good” to “exceptional” in
          six important metrics: overall performance, value for money, responsiveness to
          client needs, rapport, creativity, follow-through and strategic thinking this
          year.

Recognized by Our Peers

          Steve’s energetic and focused management of the HR function in 2009 contributed
          to both individual and firm-wide successes, including 12 prestigious industry
          awards:

          •   The Iron SABRE for “Best Employee Program”
          •   Bulldog Reporter’s “Blogger of the Year” given to Ken Makovsky
          •   Bulldog’s “Midsize Agency of the Year”
          •   Bulldog’s “PR Professional of the Year” to Ken Makovsky
          •   The Stevie Award as “PR Agency of the Year” from American Business
          Awards
          •   “Multispecialist Agency of the Year” from The Holmes Report
          •   One of “America’s Fastest Growing Companies” by Inc. Magazine
          •   Recognition by The Holmes Report as “Best Agency to Work For” agency…
          again, for the sixth year running.
          •   PRSA’s Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation for “B-to-B Media Relations
          Campaign of the Year”
          •   The Stevie for “Corporate Identity / Branding Design of the Year” from
          the American Business Awards
          •   Group VP Alyson Nikulicz named to PRWeek’s prestigious “40 Under 40”
          •   Account Executive Laney Cohen named one of PR News’ “15 to Watch”

          At Makovsky, our greatest concern has never been how to engage audiences, but
          how to win their hearts and minds. Steve not only understands the importance
          of building enthusiasm and trust … he embodies it.

2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:

          Under the leadership of SVP Steve Seeman, the firm’s HR Director, Makovsky +
          Company has achieved one of the industry’s highest employee longevity rates —
          80% in 2009 — and has been voted “Best Agency to Work For” year after year by
          The Holmes Report.

          A key member of Makovsky’s management team for 10 years, Steve focuses on
          recruitment and retention, employee relations, professional development and
          performance management. He serves on the HR Roundtable of the Council of PR
          Firms and frequently authors PRWeek career advice columns.

          Formerly with Alan Taylor Communications, Chandler Chicco and Fleishman
          Hillard, Steve is a summa cum laude graduate of City University of New York-
          Brooklyn College.

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