Company Profile
Research Into Action, Inc.
Company Overview
Founded in 1996, Research Into Action specializes in program evaluation and market research for clients in the clean energy sector. We offer utilities like ConEd the tailored analysis and insights you need to assess and refine services, programs, and products, shape markets, and engage customers – now and well into the future.
Our experience and expertise spans all key market sectors, target audiences, and regions. Our work has ranged from broad-based portfolio evaluations, to market characterizations, to program design, to customer engagement research and marketing effectiveness assessments.
We bring fresh, creative perspectives, grounded in a rigorous, scientific approach, as well as a deep understanding of the industry, hard-earned from decades of first-hand experience.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
We are Gold Certified by the City of Portland’s Sustainability at Work certification program, we have consistently been in the top eight of the 100 Best Green Companies list, and we are working on finalizing our B-Corp certification
Benefits
When Jane Peters founded Research Into Action in 1996, she had two hopes in mind. One was that she could do projects that were interesting and meaningful and would advance the state of the art for implementing energy and environmental programs. The second was to have a company that was a good place to work, for her and for any people hired to work for her. With this in mind, she strongly encourages a work-life balance – no hard start times, just flexible schedules. Employees have the opportunity to choose their own daily schedules, whether they choose to work less than 1 FTE, or work “four tens,” work 9-hour days and take every other Friday off, or any other alternative to the standard five 8-hour day work week. This enables employees the flexibility to participate in their children’s events, take long weekends, or deal with personal items that need to take place during the standard work week. Telecommute options are also available on a customized basis for employees, allowing 100% telecommute options for those that need to be away from the office due to personal obligations. We also offer the option to work full-time, part-time, or reduced hours while utilizing mobile mechanisms like iPads or laptops while caring for family anywhere in the world.
Our high retention rate is due to our competitive salaries and excellent benefits package to all full and part-time staff, including entry-level positions. Benefits offered to employee and spouse/partner (or children) include: medical, dental, and vision; plus short and long term disability and term life insurance to all employees. Employees enjoy the luxury of having 12 paid holidays and generous PTO packages of 10-35 days per year (based on actual hours worked) depending on tenure. We actively encourage employees to use their PTO and to not work (such as checking emails) while they are on PTO. All PTO balances roll over into the next year. If staff need more time off, they have the option to “overspend” their PTO balance up to 50% at any given time, and if more time is needed, can opt for unpaid time off. Research Into Action offers up to six months of unpaid leave (for any reason) with job security.
Research Into Action does not have individual mandatory billability targets; a rarity in the consulting industry. This ensures that most employees are able to work just 40 hours a week and removes one of the greatest stressors in a consulting field.