Softchoice’s (News - Alert) holistic approach to technology and huge investment in driving employee opportunity and personal growth paid rich dividends when the company was honored as a Best Large Workplace in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute for the seventh consecutive year.

Canada's largest IT solutions provider, Softchoice Corporation, has evolved along with changing technology and customer requirements, and created a superior work environment triggering professional and personal growth of its employees, according to company officials.

Over the years, Softchoice's success has reportedly stemmed from its focus on developing its

employees, unearthing talent from within, creating new roles and avenues that stimulate and improve customer service, and supporting its entire local network while simultaneously generating new business opportunities.

Employee growth was vital to Softchoice's success in the technology business, and this was the mantra that it practiced with a special emphasis on identifying and nurturing its current and future leaders.

Incentives in the form of leadership and personal development programs for high potential employees, CSR (News - Alert) related initiatives, green-commute programs, employee-led, philanthropic board that advocated corporate giving, were an offshoot of Softchoice's basic strategy that believed in the value and worth of the employee.

“Our culture is one based upon growing our people,” said Maria Odoardi, vice president of people at Softchoice. “We want to ensure we offer an environment that acts as an incubator for this growth so that our people stay and build a long-term career path with us.”

This was borne out when more than 26 percent of its sales center employees received a promotion in 2011.

Softchoice, which also figured on the 50 Best Large and Multinational Companies list, combines the efficiency and reliability of a national IT supplier with the personal touch and technical expertise of a local solutions provider. 

Other news reports the company hosted a two-week humanitarian mission in support of the Widhya Asih Foundation, where the Softchoice team was made possible by the fundraising efforts of Softchoice’s employees and the assistance of industry partners.

Given its strong commitment to investing in its employees, perhaps it's not surprising that it was recognized as a Best Large Workplace in Canada primarily on the basis of employee feedback.