Entrepreneur.com and the Great Place to Work Institute took a look at small employer practices in workplaces across the U.S. Here is our list of companies that made the cut for our annual ranking.
The creative ways that five companies are solving common business problems.
Top 25 Small Businesses to Work for 2011
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Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Industry: Engineering and analytical services Location: Huntsville, AL Employees: 167
Intuitive Research, a privately-owned aerospace company serving the U.S. military, conducts transparent all-employee communications in support of its president's favorite truism: "Bad news doesn't...more
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Dixon Schwabl
Industry: Advertising and marketing Location: Victor, NY Employees: 85
Employees are empowered to put their ideas into action -- whether it's launching a new product, contributing to business strategy or starting an onsite Wii bowling league. With up to four weeks of...more
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AutomationDirect
Industry: Industrial services Location: Cumming, GA Employees: 188
A direct seller of automation controls for manufacturing machines, AutomationDirect puts an emphasis on balance in supporting employees. Its approach draws on a version of the "Wheel of Life" as a...more
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Studer Group
Industry: Professional services -- consulting -- management Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Employees: 120
This health-care consulting firm regularly shares what it calls Connect to Purpose moments -- stories from the "front lines" of the hospitals it serves. The idea is to remind employees of the value...more
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Talent Plus
Industry: Professional services -- consulting -- management Location: Lincoln, NE Employees: 75
While some companies make the workplace only about the work, this human-resources consulting firm makes it about the people. With its "Focus On You" approach, Talent Plus kicks off new-employee...more
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Radio Flyer
Industry: Manufacturing and production Location: Chicago, IL Employees: 68
A producer of kid's wagons and tricycles, Radio Flyer communicates the importance of "having fun while working hard" through monthly celebrations, customer service awards and flexible scheduling....more
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ENGEO
Industry: Professional services -- consulting engineering Location: San Ramon, CA Employees: 101
Managers are referred to as "servant leaders" at this Bay Area-based geotechnical and civil engineering firm. This servant leadership philosophy determines much of the culture at ENGEO, where...more
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Schleuniger
Industry: Manufacturing and production -- machinery and equipment Location: Manchester, NH Employees: 49
With a motto of "Have Fun and Get the Job Done," Swiss-owned Schleuniger manufactures wire-stripping machines, while striving to have a fun workplace. Every summer, an outing is planned for...more
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Badger Mining Corporation
Industry: Mining and quarrying Location: Berlin, WI Employees: 185
Employees at this sand mining operation feel so much like family that the company has established a group, called the Golden Badger Society, of retired "associates" who've served 25 years or more....more
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Heinfeld, Meech & Co.
Industry: Financial services and insurance -- accounting Location: Tucson, AZ Employees: 63
Founded in 1986 by accountants who wanted to dispel the "accountant as bean-counter" stereotype, Heinfeld, Meech & Co.'s slogan is "Imagine What We Can Do Together." The company sponsors employee...more
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Infusionsoft
Industry: Information technology -- software Location: Gilbert, AZ Employees: 144
This sales-and-marketing automation software company says it is on a crusade to help small businesses grow quickly and profitably. Every week the company shares with employees the difficulties of...more
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Insomniac Games
Industry: Media -- television/film/video Location: Burbank, CA Employees: 197
An independent developer of PlayStation video games, Insomniac Games has sold more than 36 million games in 17 years. Quarterly royalty checks are distributed to all "Insomniacs" based on net...more
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XPLANE | Dachis Group
Industry: Professional services -- consulting -- management Location: Portland, OR Employees: 51
With offices in Oregon, St. Louis, Madrid and The Netherlands, business-design consulting firm XPLANE develops interactive materials to make complex information more accessible for its clients....more
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Professional Placement Resources
Industry: Professional services -- staffing and recruitment Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL Employees: 65
At this company that recruits and staffs health-care professionals for a variety of medical settings, it isn't unusual to find employees down at the beach where the chief executive officer leads...more
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Integrated Project Management Company
Industry: Professional services -- consulting -- management Location: Burr Ridge, IL Employees: 88
With an emphasis on integrity and "walking the talk," employees at Integrated Project Management are responsible for helping themselves, and the company, achieve their growth goals. In addition to...more
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Kahler Slater
Industry: Professional services -- architecture/design Location: Milwaukee, WI Employees: 85
Kahler Slater's two co-executive officers work side-by-side with employees in an open, "office-less" environment. Employees can attend to the company's bi-weekly "Same Page" meeting to discuss any...more
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Root Learning
Industry: Professional services -- consulting -- management Location: Sylvania, OH Employees: 98
Employees celebrate co-workers' "Rootiversaries" at this consulting firm with home movies, songs and poems based on the company value the person embodies most. Values include authenticity and...more
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Navigator Management Partners
Industry: Professional services -- consulting -- management Location: Columbus, OH Employees: 76
In order to help deliver quality service to clients, this professional services firm offers employees personal and professional growth support through 100 percent tuition reimbursement for graduate...more
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Freeborn & Peters
Industry: Professional services -- legal Location: Chicago, IL Employees: 202
Founded in 1983 by a group of lawyers fed up with "typical" law firm culture, Freeborn & Peters sponsors fun events such as a "pod crawl," a party with different themes on six floors of their...more
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