BSG Named #1 Company in San Antonio’s Top Work Places 2009
Local telecom clearinghouse snags best mid-size employer
By David Saleh Rauf - Express-News
Read published article on Express-News.
When Denise DeSilva took a job with BSG Clearing Solutions as a receptionist in 1994, she had no idea it would spawn a 15-year career with what is now the nation's largest telecommunications clearinghouse firm.
Nowadays, DeSilva supervises a staff of nine who support customer accounts and touts opportunities for advancement as one of the best features of working at the San Antonio-based company.
“If you can show the ability and aptitude, they definitely notice,” said DeSilva, director of client relations and implementation at BSG Clearing Solutions.
That's only one of the qualities that employees at BSG Clearing Solutions identified in a survey that ranks the company among the best places to work in the city.
Based on an analysis conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, BSG Clearing Solutions took the No. 1 spot in the San Antonio Express-News' top workplaces report for companies employing between 100 and 299 people.
“I've been saying all along we're the best-kept secret in telecom,” said CEO Greg Carter.
BSG Clearing Solutions employs about 100 workers in its San Antonio operation. Another 15 or so work in the company's office in Colorado, Carter said.
While the company's roots have been planted firmly in the Alamo City since the late 1980s, it has changed names and ownership multiple times. The company's business model, however, has remained constant: managing billing services for telephone companies across the country.
“We have contracts with 1,400 different telephone companies from AT&T to the smallest co-ops,” said Carter, whose company made $7.9 million in profit last year.
The workers at BSG Clearing Solutions, Carter says, perform a “highly specialized service” in the telecom industry and that contributes to the company's low turnover rate. Additionally, Carter says the average tenure for employees at BSG Clearing Solutions is 9 1/2 years.
“Whenever there's an open position, it's like ... wow!” said DeSilva.
A mix of good pay, a full range of health and retirement benefits, and a college reimbursement program doesn't hurt either. The company also recognizes hard work through quarterly receptions and an annual “cash bash,” where select workers are treated to cocktails and prizes.
“It's great to have face-to-face time with the executives,” said DeSilva. “Sometimes it's that little bit of praise that makes all the difference.”
