Year Six and Still Climbing: The Principal Financial Group Named to IDG's Computerworld "Best Places to Work in IT"
June 26, 2007 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Principal Financial Group® has once again been named to International Data Group's (IDG) annual Computerworld list of top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals. The financial services company ranks 21st on this year's list, up eight spots over last year (29th). This marks the sixth consecutive year The Principal® has been recognized.
"The Principal is proud to be recognized by Computerworld, and included with such an impressive list of international employers," said Gary Scholten, senior vice president and chief information officer at The Principal. "Information technology professionals are highly sought after. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2011 there will be a shortage of 500,000 IT professionals in the U.S. Providing IT professionals a stimulating, rewarding environment with competitive benefits and amenities will keep top talent at The Principal and allow us to continue to recruit the best."
The Principal was noted by Computerworld for the company's commitment to employee development, including job-coaching, hands-on training classes and mentorship programs.
Since 1994, Computerworld's annual "Best Places to Work in IT" feature has ranked the top 100 work environments for technology professionals, based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention. In addition, this year Computerworld surveyed more than 27,000 IT workers for the list, and their responses factored heavily in determining the rankings.
"This year's Best Places to Work rankings represent companies across the industry that recognize how a strong commitment to and investment in employees is synonymous with creating a great IT work environment," said Don Tennant, editor in chief of Computerworld. "Once again, we found that IT professionals are looking for rewarding and challenging projects, access to leading-edge technologies, career growth and development and a comfortable work/life balance. Our Best Places companies not only offer these benefits, but do so in a manner that goes well above industry norms."
About Computerworld
Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld's award-winning weekly publication, Computerworld.com Web site (www.computerworld.com), focused conference series and custom research form the hub of the world's largest (40+ edition) global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Folio Magazine's 2006 Gold EDDIE Award for the best technology/computing magazine, the 2004 and 2006 Magazine of the Year Award, and 2006 Best Overall Web Publication from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE). Computerworld leads the industry with a print audience of 1,252,000 readers each week (IntelliQuest CIMS Spring 2006) and an online audience of over 2 million unique monthly visitors (Omniture).
Computerworld is a business unit of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG's online network includes more than 450 web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's lead-generation service, IDG Connect, matches technology companies with an audience of engaged, high-quality IT professionals, influencers, and decision makers.
IDG is a leading producer of more than 750 technology-related events including Macworld Conference & Expo, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Entertainment for All Expo (E for All), DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 900 IDC analysts in more than 90 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.
About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies and national network of financial professionals. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $270.1 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 17.6 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
1) "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.
2) As of March 31, 2007.
