IST Research Named One of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces 2017

FREDERICKSBURG, VA--(Marketwired - June 01, 2017) - IST Research has been named one of Inc. magazine's Best Workplaces for 2017, the publication's second annual ranking in the fast-growing private company sector.

Hitting newsstands today in the June 2017 issue, and as part of a prominent inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of private American companies who have created exceptional workplaces through vibrant cultures, deep employee engagement, and stellar benefits.

Built in partnership with employee engagement and work culture experts Quantum Workplace of Omaha, Nebraska, Inc.'s Best Workplaces list is a magnifying glass on how innovative companies can truly raise the bar in hiring and retaining the best talent.

What does it take to become a company that workers want to be part of? Inc. magazine says it's more than good pay and good perks -- it's also about having a clear purpose, a sense of humor, and leadership that makes the two work together.

"As IST Research enters its ninth year, we are honored to receive the Inc. Best Workplaces award as a validation of the engaging organization we have cultivated," said Ryan Paterson, founder and CEO, IST Research. "Our company attracts employees who are motivated to make the world a better place, not just find employment that benefits them. Nonetheless, it's gratifying to be considered one of the best places in the country to work."

The 2017 Inc. Best Workplaces Awards assessed applicants on the basis of benefits offered and employees' responses to a unique, 30-question survey fielded by each of the applying companies. Responses were evaluated by the research team at Quantum Workplace. For its results to qualify, each company had to achieve a statistically significant response rate based on employee count. Survey scores account for employer size to level the playing field between small and large businesses. All companies had to have minimum of 10 employees and to be U.S.-based, privately held, and independent -- that is, not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies.

While researching the entries, Inc. and Quantum saw distinct themes develop including "Strong company cultures breed stunning individual and team performance" and "When employees feel valued by their organization, they are far more likely to be engaged. This single factor proved to be one of the largest drivers of employee engagement." For IST Research, culture and engagement are both built around its core product, Pulse, and the use of it to engage with hard-to-reach global populations. The company seeks to apply this technology to a range of human security issues and to maintain a focus both on tackling hard problems and providing a positive impact in the world.

"By introducing an employee survey into this year's Best Workplaces selection process, we've really raised the bar. Companies that don't score at the very top of their peer group don't make the cut. So, our hats are off to the winners. They all excelled at engaging their workers, making them feel appreciated, and aligning them behind a mission. And remember, that's not just our opinion: The employees told us that themselves," says Eric Schurenberg, Inc.'s President and Editor In Chief.

About IST Research
Founded in 2008, IST Research was created to explore the possibilities created by the development of technology within new and challenging operational environments. The company's Pulse platform fosters understanding of hard to reach communities by providing insight into their thinking and engaging them in two-way conversations to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex human security challenges. Pulse is a proven technology that addresses today's complex, global problems. An Inc. 5000 company headquartered in Fredericksburg, VA, IST Research is privately funded. The company was honored in March 2017 with an Elastic Cause Award for its technology-led humanitarian efforts. For more information, please visit www.istresearch.com.

About Inc. Media
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of Advertising Age's "The A-List" in January 2015, and the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 40,000,000 today. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com/.

About Quantum Workplace
Quantum Workplace is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit www.quantumworkplace.com.