A personal touch yields continuing growth

Providence Mutual fire insurance co.’s staff, shown above, receives perks such as Hawaiian shirt day and Narragansett Bay cruises. /
Providence Mutual fire insurance co.’s staff, shown above, receives perks such as Hawaiian shirt day and Narragansett Bay cruises. /

Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Co. may not be a large company, but it uses its size to its employees’ – and thus its customers’ – advantage.
“We’re a small company that works together as a family,” said Sandy Parrillo, company president and CEO.
This year it took its attention to employees in a new direction, as the company created a wellness program entitled “Be Great in ’08.” It started with free cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and body-fat screenings in January – with 60-percent participation – and has continued with educational sessions. The company is putting together a walking competition for employees and expects to have a fall activity, followed by new screenings in 2009.
Parrillo feels the sense of togetherness is especially important today. “Today’s market – with the housing crunch and the economy – forces us to work together on everything. We strive for transparency and trust.”
Providence Mutual has a long history in the state, with its beginnings back in 1800. The company today has about 70 employees and 300 independent agents. But it has grown significantly this decade during Parrillo’s tenure, going from collecting $28 million in premiums to $65 million in 2007.
“I think we use our size to an advantage – getting together for employee evaluations, question-and-answer periods and regular meetings is something we enjoy doing. It makes a difference,” she said.
The evaluations are one way Providence Mutual has of telling what is expected of its employees. The regular meetings are a way for it to learn about problems.
“These both tie in with our slogan by making us more competitive and productive,” Parillo said. “They let employees know where they stand. It’s honest and casual. In the end it’s all about trust.”
Providence Mutual, despite a questionable economy, still finds time to have fun. It holds Hawaiian shirt day, summer hours and cruises on Narragansett Bay. At the same time, the company supports giving back to the community, through participation with the United Way and Make-A-Wish Foundation, and during the holidays, Adopt-A-Family, which benefits parents and children of the less fortunate. The company and employee involvement is very personal.
Carol O’Brien, an underwriter for Providence Mutual, came from a big company.
“At first I was terrified about joining a company with fewer than 50 employees,” she said. “The big corporations offer things I’d grown used to. But in the end I was tired of being just another number.”
O’Brien said she literally fell in love with Providence Mutual within the first week of her starting date seven years ago.
“It’s different here. I say hello to Sandy nearly every day. We know each other. That makes a huge difference.”
As for productivity and cost structures and morale boosters, O’Brien said, “I’m not sure exactly what we do as far as productivity boosters – but whatever it is, it works. I don’t think Sandy has to keep the morale high. It already is.” •

No posts to display