A journey to a better workplace

Category

Change Management

Client

BJC HealthCare

Website

The Challenge

BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare organizations in the U.S., is Missouri’s largest employer, with 26,000 employees working across 14 hospitals, including the nationally ranked Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

The organization faced significant challenges, including layoffs that had dampened employee morale. 

Executive Vice President Richard J. Liekweg was preparing to step into the CEO role. He sought to create a better workplace and enlisted Brian Pia to lay the foundation for meaningful improvements.

The Work

Brian analyzed workplace trends from 250 companies featured on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work, Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, and LinkedIn’s Most In-Demand Employers. 

He recommended strategies for improvement:

  • Foster openness to new ideas.
  • Enhance diversity and work-life balance.
  • Offer a living wage paired with exceptional perks and benefits.
  • Create opportunities for advancement.
  • Recognize and reward employee achievements.
  • Ensure clear and effective supervisor communication.

Liekweg praised Brian’s recommendations, saying, “You nailed it!” 

Building on this foundation, Brian developed a purpose-driven internal and external communications program called “The World’s Best Medicine Made Better.” 

Brian’s team brought the vision to life by sharing compelling employee stories in Town Halls, BJC’s intranet and website, videos, social media, and physical spaces. 

The Results

BJC HealthCare is now recognized as a top workplace, earning spots on:

  • Becker’s 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare
  • Forbes Best Large Employers
  • Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces

The program significantly boosted employee morale, leading to an 83% Glassdoor approval rating for the CEO. 

Additionally, BJC saw an 18% increase in revenue.