By Nick Young
After checking out the 2020 Fortune Best Companies to Work For list, I chose three companies that really stood out to me: Hilton, Salesforce, and Wegmans Food Markets. I focused on what their employees said made them great, and it was clear that each one puts serious effort into taking care of their people.
At Hilton, employees talk about the respect they feel and the chances they get to grow in their careers. Their HR team does a solid job with training, recognizing hard work, and creating a culture that values inclusion. This ties in with what we’ve learned in class about how developing and supporting employees can be a huge competitive advantage.
Salesforce is another one that impressed me. They put a big focus on inclusion and using data to support employees. Their HR approach includes tons of training and ways to keep employees engaged, which is exactly what strategic HR is all about—using people’s strengths and helping them keep learning.
Then there’s Wegmans. Their employees feel genuinely cared for, and that kind of trust doesn’t just happen overnight. They offer flexible scheduling, strong benefits, and leadership that actually listens. It connects with what we’ve discussed in lectures about how work-life balance and supportive leadership can make all the difference.
Thinking about the kind of manager I want to be, I’d say someone who supports their team and focuses on helping people grow. I want to lead by example and build trust, just like the companies above. I know some parts of management won’t be easy, like balancing company goals with individual needs or making tough decisions. But I believe being open, fair, and adaptable will help a lot. This assignment reminded me how important HR really is. Good HR practices aren’t just about rules, they shape the way people feel about coming to work every day.
