An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan that gives workers ownership interest in the company.  Being a part of an ESOP can provide unique rewards for employees.  Participants in the plan can receive significant retirement benefits at no monetary cost to them.

Being 100 percent employee-owned means that everyone has a vested interest in the success of the company.  Every single employee cares about the health and success of the entire company, not just their job or the project they are involved in.

Being an ESOP enhances Cornerstone’s ability to recruit and retain top talent, as most other companies do not offer this benefit as part of their employment package.

According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, there are 6,600 ESOP’s in the country with over 14 million employees sharing ownership in their company.

Rutgers study found ESOP companies grow 2.3-2.4 percent faster after setting up as an ESOP.

NCEO study found ESOP firms that practice participative management grow 8-11 percent faster than they would have without engaging in his type of management style.

Washington study found ESOP participants made 5-12 percent more in wages and had almost three times the retirement assets as did workers in comparable non-ESOP companies.

NCEO ESOP Infographic Link

1. Cultivating a Collaborative Culture
   At Cornerstone, we envision a workplace driven by collaboration and teamwork, dedicated to serving our customers and growing our business. Our mission is to foster a positive environment where every employee, regardless of their role, thinks and acts like a business owner.

2. Sharing in Our Success
   We believe that everyone’s contributions to customer service are vital to our success. While our employees earn paychecks for their hard work, we also want them to partake in the long-term rewards of their efforts. Through our stock ownership program, employees can reap the benefits of our collective achievements and business growth over time.

3. Enhanced Retirement Benefits
   Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) offers an additional retirement benefit that sets us apart from many other companies. This plan can significantly enhance the financial well-being of our employees and their families, as its value is directly linked to the company’s performance. Simply put, when we thrive as a company, our employees thrive as well.

4. Success Through Ownership
   In a capitalist society, ownership is a highly esteemed achievement. Our ESOP enables every employee at Cornerstone Systems, Inc. to become an owner, fostering pride and accountability toward the company’s success.

“We believe that our employees should share in the company’s success in a truly meaningful way. That’s why we established the ESOP,” states Chairman and Founder Rick Rodell. “By participating in the ESOP, our employees are not just workers—they are owners who benefit financially from a job well done. This creates a strong incentive for our team to take pride in their work and strive for excellence.”

Research shows that when employees understand the ESOP, share their ideas, and collaborate toward common goals, companies with ESOPs consistently outperform their competitors.

Commercial Appeal – Power to the People Article

Cornerstone Systems – Press Release