Jim Goodnight highlights SAS values and benefits at regional conferences

Jim Goodnight, CEO of SAS, the leader in business intelligence, was a featured speaker at two conferences held in the United States in April 2008.

On 3 April, Goodnight gave a keynote address to the 2008 Great Place to Work Conference in St Louis. He delivered another keynote to the 10th Annual CEO Summit in Pebble Beach, California, held from 10 to 12 April 2008.

Goodnight, long recognised for his innovative leadership at SAS, spoke to conference attendees about his three decades at the helm of an industry-leading enterprise. SAS is often singled out for its award-winning benefits, which have landed the company on Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" list for 11 consecutive years.

Goodnight emphasises that there is a bottom line benefit, beyond awards and accolades, to considering employees valuable assets that need to be treated well.

With a voluntary turnover rate around 5%, (compared to an industry average of more than 15) SAS' employee loyalty translates into long-term customer relationships. The company's reputation as an employer of choice also allows SAS to attract and retain the best talent, leading to a culture of creativity and innovation.

The company's commitment to work/life balance has manifested itself in an exceptional list of amenities at the company's headquarters campus in Cary, NC, including on-site day-care, a healthcare centre providing primary care for employees and their covered dependents, a fully equipped recreation and fitness centre, walking trails and athletic fields, massage therapy and three subsidised company cafes.