Top Workplaces 2015: Northwestern Mutual

Not all workplaces pay as much attention to employees’ work-life balance as Northwestern Mutual’s Indianapolis office.

Not only did Justin Ruetz receive the expected professional development that he was seeking, but, he said: “I’ve never worked for a firm that places more of an emphasis on personal development.”

“I think it goes so much further than goal-setting. The personal development comes first,” said financial representative Zack Bernas.

Northwestern Mutual’s commitment to employee development helped it score No. 4 among midsize companies in an annual survey conducted by WorkplaceDynamics for The Indianapolis Star.

Helping employees set professional and personal goals results in what managing partner David Kiecker describes as “inside-out” employee development.

Such goal-setting is done annually. It could be a plan to learn new job skills. A personal development plan could be something as simple as saving for a home or getting in better physical shape.

Ruetz said he has benefited from having multiple mentors at Northwestern who have challenged him to think beyond his current capabilities with the company. Kiecker “has challenged me to think bigger than what I thought I was capable of before.”

Ruetz described it as a “very interdependent” work environment.

“We are constantly able to, in the right way, challenge each other. ... I have been humbled. I have been challenged. I have been exalted, and I have been pushed.”

Such an exercise can not only polish one’s skill set at work but also pay dividends in interpersonal skills and confidence. It can be contagious when it comes time to work with clients who are counting on financial advisers to help them overcome challenges, such as having enough money for retirement.

The Central Indiana division of Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual also tries to build unity among its 265 employees through a number of activities outside work.

That includes quarterly social events that draw together employees and their families. There’s also a big push on charitable events, including the Alex’s Lemonade Stand effort to combat childhood cancer. Employees and their families raised $218,000 in the past two years for Alex’s.

Kiecker conducts a number of gatherings at his home. He figures at least 1,300 people have passed through his doors in the past year.

Such efforts help break down the walls of a large organization. Ruetz said it’s not uncommon for employees to feel comfortable enough to bounce ideas off each other, not only involving work but even conversations about life at home.

“We have people who genuinely care about the individuals they work with. It creates a culture that is hard to contextualize into words.”

Bottom line

Founded: 1857.

Headquarters: Milwaukee.

Description: Provides wide variety of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, mutual funds and securities.

Locations: Seven in Central Indiana.

Number of employees: 265.

Website: www.nm-indy.com.