What does it take to be admired?

Attracting top talent–and keeping it.

Word gets around.

Each year since 2005, Fortune magazine has asked executives, directors and security analysts in the beverage industry to rank the companies they admire most. And every year, PBG has ranked in second place in its industry, ahead of its competitors and bested only by beer giant Anheuser-Busch.

“It’s one thing for us to point out to prospective employees that we’re a Fortune 500 company,” notes John Berisford, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Personnel Officer. “But when the goal is to attract top talent, consistently being at the top of our industry’s “Most Admired” list gives us an important edge in recruiting.”

Taking the broad view

PBG thinks about employee recruitment and development in terms of what is needed to develop a diverse team of self-motivated, entrepreneurial and well-rounded players. This requires:

  • Running a company that people are proud to work for
  • Hiring local managers and employees
  • Offering guidance, training and opportunities for career development
  • Providing generous, far-reaching and meaningful benefits packages
  • Giving employees tools for reducing health risks, and for gaining physical and financial fitness

Modeling leadership

At the heart of PBG’s career development programs is the company’s Leadership Model that serves as both a blueprint and a scorecard for career development. The PBG Leadership Model guides employees through four main dimensions of professional development anchored by a fifth values dimension, as described in more detail in the "Good governance" story in the "Governance" section of this site. First is Execution–knowing the business and being good at it. The second is People–learning how to motivate and develop others. The third is Influence, when a leader can create organizational impact through leveraged networks, effective communication and confidence. Finally, the best leaders master the Idea stage in which they can develop long-term strategies based on rational analyses and innovative thinking. This leader fosters a creative environment by presenting breakthrough ideas and encouraging others to develop their own ideas.

This Leadership Model ultimately becomes a part of PBG’s annual performance evaluation and succession planning processes that keep the pipeline full of candidates for managerial and executive positions.

Are we there yet?

PBG measures its success at developing employees and providing a compelling workplace through employee satisfaction surveys covering 13 broad topics and 100 specific points. The surveys enable management to assess what is and isn’t working, and how they can make changes to better attract, retain and develop employees. They also show employees that their opinions matter, especially in the following year when management teams present how the information was used to develop action plans and improve the organization.

This process is extremely important to PBG. Given the fast pace of change in the workforce and marketplace, constant improvement is critical to ensuring that PBG remains on the “Most Admired” lists and a magnet to the best and brightest.

PBG is often recognized for its leadership in business, employee benefits, community outreach and communications. Examples include:

Employees

Fortune magazine’s Most Admired Companies List–2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005

For four consecutive years, PBG was ranked number two in the beverage company category.

DiversityInc magazine–2008, 2007 and 2005 PBG has been recognized for its progress in diversity and inclusion.

Black Enterprise magazine’s Best Companies for Diversity List–2007 Black Enterprise, a publication that provides information for and about African-American business markets and leaders, as well as business news and trends, included PBG among its top 40 Best Companies for Diversity.

Hispanic Business magazine’s Diversity Elite 60 List–2007

PBG debuted at Number 31 on the list, which measures and ranks companies by more than 30 variables, including commitment to Hispanic hiring, promoting, marketing, philanthropy and supplier diversity.

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index–2008

Released each fall, this report provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. PBG participated in the 2008 survey for the first time and received 80 out of a possible 100 points.

C. Everett Koop National Health Award 2007

PBG was awarded the C. Everett Koop National Health Award for its HealthyLiving program. The Koop Award is the most prestigious award for health improvement programs, requiring strong documentation of health improvements that lead to cost savings.

BusinessWeek magazine’s 50 Best Places to Launch a Career List–2006

PBG ranked number 21 on the publication’s inaugural list of best entry-level employers.

National Business Group on Health Awards 2008, 2007

A Platinum Award winner in 2008 and Gold Award winner in 2007, PBG has been recognized for its HealthyLiving program and its efforts to create cultural and environmental programs that support employees committed to long-term health-related behavior changes.

International Association of Business Communicators–2005

Gold Quill Award for communication of the PBG HealthyLiving program.

Customers

Sam’s Club Vendor of the Year–2007

Sam’s Club honored PBG, other Pepsi U.S. anchor bottlers and Pepsi-Cola North America collectively in the water, isotonics and juices category, recognizing Aquafina’s outstanding sales growth and the “Return the Warmth” environmental sustainability and recycling program.

Shareholders

Institutional Investor–In recognition of outstanding U.S. investor relations

  • 2007 Third Place in Beverage Sector among Top Shareholder-Friendly Companies
  • 2004 Third Place in Beverage buy-side survey
  • 2003 First Place in Beverage buy-side survey

Community

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency–2007

Green Power Leadership Award.

United Way–2007, 2006

Awards for PBG’s headquarter’s record-breaking fundraising and volunteer campaigns:

  • 2007 Exemplary Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy
  • 2007 High Touch Award
  • 2007 Spirit Award
  • 2007 and 2006 Gold Award Campaign
  • 2006 Business Volunteer Spirit Award

Association of Development Officers–2007

Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Award

The PBG benefits programs

Core benefits

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Pension
  • Group legal services
  • Life, accident, short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Same-sex domestic partner coverage
  • Health care and dependent care reserve accounts

Other programs

  • 401(k) plan with PBG contributions
  • PBG stock purchase program
  • U.S. savings bond program
  • Adoption assistance program
  • Family leave program
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarship program
  • Educational loans
  • National merit program
  • Paid vacation
  • Matching gifts program

Eligibility may vary for some employees covered by other, similar plans.