The Wall Street Journal Names 15 Top Small Workplaces
Third annual report recognizes best small North American employers
Wednesday September 30, 2009 -- Jennifer Higgs
The Wall Street Journal recognized the 15 winners of this year’s Top Small Workplaces competition in a Sept. 28 report, highlighting businesses and non-profit organizations that invest in their people.

The third annual report is compiled in partnership with Winning Workplaces, a non-profit organization that helps small and mid-size companies improve their workplace practices.

“Many of these employers continued to bolster their hiring, recruitment and professional development efforts to emerge from the recession an even stronger organization,” states a press release.

The 15 winners had an 18 per cent average annual growth rate from 2007 to 2008.

During the tough economic times many companies pushed the work environment to the back burner, but this is not the case for the winning workplaces, states The Wall Street Journal article.

“For them, a commitment to employees' well-being and development in times like these can pay off handsomely — both now and in the future. Companies with low turnover and high employee satisfaction and engagement are better positioned to save money and devise innovative ways to navigate the crisis. And they set up the company to do even better when the economy turns around,” the article states.

The 2009 Top Small Workplace winners are:

· Advanced Technology Institute, North Charleston, S.C.
· Analytical Graphics Inc., Exton, Pa.
· Anthony Wilder Design/Build Inc., Cabin John, Md.
· Bailard Inc., Foster City, Calif.
· Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith PC, Birmingham, Ala.
· Censeo Consulting Group, Washington, D.C.
· Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc., Sugar Land, Texas
· Mike's Car Wash Inc., Indianapolis
· Radio Flyer Inc., Chicago
· Root Learning Inc., Sylvania, Ohio
· Skyline Construction Inc., San Francisco
· Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
· The Railroad Associates Corporation, Hershey, Pa.
· Tohono O'odham Nursing Care Authority, Sells, Ariz.
· Woodmeister Master Builders Inc., Holden, Mass.

Participating companies had to employ 500 people or less, be based in North America, have an annual revenue not greater than $200 million, be independent and be in business for five years or more.

Winners were selected through an application process that considered a company’s teamwork, productivity and innovation, as well as promotion of employees’ personal and professional growth, among other elements.

For its 2009 award, The Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces received close to 630 nominations and 330 applications. A national panel of management and small business experts judged the finalists with metrics and qualitative assessments.

To learn more about the winners, visit this link to read The Wall Street Journal article, or visit www.winningworkplaces.org.

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