Hartford Business Journal

22 Hartford Business Journal • February 20, 2017 www.HartfordBusiness.com VLink 's worker development, community support build edge CT Headquarters: South Windsor Industry: Technology Website: www.vlinkinfo.com Twitter: @ vlinkinc Top CT Executive: Sharad Patney, CEO By Karen Sackowitz Special to the Hartford Business Journal V Link's commitment to its employees and the community is written directly into the company's mission statement, which is why the South Windsor-based IT firm has as good a reputation with its work- ers as it does with clients. VLink's emphasis is placed on making a positive social and economic impact on the lives of employees, their families and the gen- eral community. To that end, the company reaches out to several community factions, from the Red Cross to veteran's services, from pro-bono work to breast cancer awareness. The com- pany even has a University of Connecticut Entrepreneurs Bootcamp for Veterans, as well as a related scholarship fund. Simply put, VLink employees are encouraged to lend a hand anywhere there is a need. "Based on the work we do, we have a lot of skillsets that can be helpful. We have sharp people — attorneys, immigration specialists, technical people," says Sharad Patney, CEO of VLink. "So we encourage our employees to identify nonprofits where they can apply those skills to volunteer, which they are allowed to do during regular work hours." Company leadership is also proud of VLink's investments in improving employees' knowledge and skillsets. VLink Academy was developed exactly for that purpose. "VLink Academy training programs offer industry certifications, like project manage- ment, six sigma, and others. Employees can apply, then representative managers make the decision," says Patney, who says foster- ing expertise in the workforce also generates elevated trust from clients and increased business development. "As a company, it's important for us to tell customers we know different areas. We gain more respect as a company." Patney adds that VLink Academy awarded 25 certifications last month, and is looking at 20 for this month, demonstrating the draw of the program. "We have 200 employees around the coun- try, and another 150 in India. They know the challenges our clients face — the pain our customers deal with every day," says Patney. "As tech people, we encourage innovation to solve business industry problems." VLink staffers are motivated to come up with ideas they can run by senior leadership. If, after initial brainstorming, the idea seems via- ble, executives will green light the project, with the initial presenter taking ownership of it. Accomplishments are also recognized within the company. At VLink's yearly com- pany party, years of service awards are given to those who have been on staff for three years or longer. In addition to professional support and recognition, VLink offers employees benefits such as paternity leave for the birth or adop- tion of a child, the inclusion of immediate family members at corporate events, and free or discounted tickets to local family enter- tainment or sporting events. Understanding that their employees need flexibility to juggle busy lives, VLink gives staffers all the room they need. "When it comes to work-life balance, we don't have a specific policy in place. We just let our employees make their own schedule," says Patney. "They can have whatever flex- ibility they want, and we find that when given the responsibility to make their own deci- sions, it works well." The social life of a VLink employee is an enviable one as well, with opportunities to blow off steam via golf or hiking outings, nine- ball pool tournaments in the company game room, or team bowling events. Pingpong matches are a regular occurrence, and happy hours allow employees to kick back and social- ize. To accommodate a diverse workforce, VLink recognizes various multi-cultural holi- days in addition to American holidays. Above all, VLink is known for attracting top talent. Their goal is to build and keep a staff that can provide high-value consultants, qual- ity account management, client responsive- ness, and an overall ease of doing business. n SMALL / MEDIUM COMPANY CATEGORY VLink employees work hard but they also like to have some fun. In their South Windsor office, employees have a chance to blow off some steam playing pool and pingpong. (Top photo) They also like to have fun celebrating birthdays. # B ES T P LA C ES TO W O R K I N C T 1 V- L i n k

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