100 Best Companies to Work For 2013

From spectacular insurance benefits to inclusive workplace culture to generous work/life balance, the 100 Best Companies to Work For show how its done, year in and year out. The 15 firms profiled, in the estimation of our panel of judges, rose to the top of the 100 this year. (Find a complete PDF listing of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and clickable links to each category below.) The judges conclusions were based in part on data submitted anonymously by thousands of employees of the participating businesses. The research firm Fieldwork Webwork used the detailed responses to determine each companys score in 12 categories, including such vital areas as communication, executive leadership, corporate culture and workplace environment.
For judging purposes, nominated companies were separated into five classifications: small firms (30 or fewer employees), midsize (31 to 100 employees), large (more than 100 employees), nonprofits and firms headquartered outside Washington. Congratulations to the Seattle Business magazine 100 best Companies to Work For of 2013!

100 Best Companies to Work For list
100 Best Companies to Work For list (PDF Format)

Small Company Winners: Atlas Coffee Importers,Artitudes Design, Addioz Corporation
Midsize Company Winners: Torklift International, MicroGreen Polymers, Moz
Large Company Winners: Slalom Consulting, Baker Boyer Bank, Synapse Product Development
Nonprofit Company: Career Path Services, Washington Technology Industry Association
Headquartered Outside Washington Winners: DoubleDown Interactive, Walsh Construction, Cutler Investment Group, Edward Jones

THE 100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

SMALL FIRMS (up to 30 employees)

1. Atlas Coffee Importers, Seattle
Importer and warehouser of high-quality green coffee

2. Artitudes Design, Issaquah
Graphic design firm specializing in executive presentations, branding, marketing and motion desighn

3. Addioz Corporation, Bellevue
Technical recruitment firm specializing in executive search and corporate training

4. Provisional Recruiting & Staffing, Spokane
Recruitment firm specializing in accounting/finance, legal, medical, administrative and technical staffing

5. Merlino Bauer Media, Seattle
Marketing firm

6. Sales Talent, Mercer Island
National sales talent recruiter

7. SwitchPoint, Seattle
Management consultancy specializing in health care and nonprofits

8. SpaceCurve, Seattle
Developer of a Big Data platform that delivers real-time intelligence

9. Milepost Consulting, Seattle
Management consultancy specializing in green issues and sustainability

10. ClassifiedAds.com, Bellevue
Free classified advertising website

11. SOS Employment Group, Seattle
Employment recruiter specializing in temporary, temporary-to-full-time and contract positions

12. Tactical Marketing Concepts, Federal Way
Sales and marketing firm

13. Centri Technology, Seattle
Creator of wireless service technologies

14. Goldberg Jones, Seattle
Law firm representing men in divorce, child custody and other family law matters

15. ZUM Communications, Seattle
Public relations/marketing communications firm

16. AES Logistics, Burien
International freight forwarder

17. Attunix Corporation, Bellevue
Software consulting firm

18. Engineered Compost Systems, Seattle
Engineering/manufacturing firm providing design, technology and technical support to the composting industry

19. EveryMove, Seattle
Program allowing users to convert healthful activities into rewards from their health plans and employers

20. BuzzBee Company, Seattle
Technology marketing firm

21. PeopleFirm, Seattle
Management consultancy

22. Chermak Construction, Seattle
Construction company

23. Intersource, Sammamish
Technology consultancy

24. Image Source, Kirkland
Designer and maker of promotional merchandise and apparel

25. Thinkspace, Redmond
Provider of office space and business services to startups and small firms

26. Fierce, Seattle
Leadership development and training firm specializing in improved workplace communication

27. BioLife Solutions, Bothell
Manufacturer and marketer of proprietary biopreservation media for cells, tissues and organs

28. Symform, Seattle
Provider of cloud storage services

29. AAOA Healthcare, Kirkland
Provider of benefit programs to professional membership organizations and associations

MIDSIZE FIRMS (31 to 100 employees)
1. Torklift International, Sumner

Manufacturer of towing and recreational vehicle accessories
2. MicroGREEN Polymers, Arlington
Manufacturer of plastic food and beverage packaging

3. Moz, Seattle
Provider of software for search engine optimization and marketing analytics

4. 206inc, Seattle
Consumer engagement agency

5. Limeade, Bellevue
Creator of rewards systems for corporate wellness and benefits programs

6. Arryve, Bellevue
Management consultancy

7. WhitePages Inc., Seattle
Provider of contact information for people and businesses

8. ExtraHop Networks, Seattle
Producer and seller of enterprise network appliances

9. Substantial, Seattle
Digital product studio

10. Avvo, Seattle
Directory of lawyers featuring consumer reviews and Q&A forums

11. Genelex, Seattle
DNA testing and analysis laboratory

12. Wexley School for Girls, Seattle
Advertising/branding agency

13. Tecplot, Bellevue
Creator of visualization software for enginers and scientists to analyze and communicate results

14. Zumobi, Seattle
Mobile media company providing integrated advertising on smartphones and connected devices

15. The Unity Group, Bellingham
Insurance and employee benefits consultancy

16. Stratos Product Development, Seattle
Product development, design and strategy consultancy

17. Brightlight Consulting, Redmond
Business intelligence and data warehousing consultancy

18. Noetix, Redmond
Business intelligence software firm focused on simplifying access to data

19. Chefn, Seattle
Creator and seller of innovative kitchen utensils and products

20. MCM, Seattle
Benefits consulting and insurance brokerage firm

21. Inrix, Kirkland
Provider of traffic information, directions and driver services

22. Wood Harbinger, Bellevue
Consultancy providing mechanical, electrical and industrial systems engineering services

23. Bader Martin, Seattle
CPA and advisory firm serving affluent families, closely held businesses and nonprofits

24. Idea Entity Corporation, Bellevue
Consultancy offering software development, new product research, cyber security and other services

25. Aronson Security Group, Seattle
Provider of integrated security solutions

26. Piraeus Consulting, Seattle
IT services firm focusing on business intelligence, custom development and managed consulting

27. Brighton Jones, Seattle
Wealth management advisory firm

28. Wetpaint, Seattle
Entertainment website offering audience analytics

29. Bridge Partners, Seattle
Consultancy specializing in business transformation, technology, marketing and sales strategy

30. Mactus Group, Redmond
Provider of marketing, program management and business intelligence for technology firms

31. HPG, Seattle
Parent company of firms that connect people and professionals around health care experiences

32. Paladino and Company, Seattle
Green building and sustainability consulting firm

33. Winshuttle, Bothell
Producer of software to help SAP users interface with other programs

LARGE FIRMS (More than 100 employees)

1. Slalom Consulting, Seattle
Management consultancy offering business technology services

2. Baker Boyer Bank, Walla Walla
Banking and financial services company

3. Synapse Product Development, Seattle
Provider of engineering solutions to consumer electronics and life sciences companies

4. Society Consulting, Bellevue
Technology consultancy focusing on product development and business intelligence

5. Kidder Mathews, Seattle
Commercial real estate firm

6. Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company, Enumclaw
Property and casualty insurer

7. Pinnacle Capital, Kirkland
Mortgage company

8. Varolii Corporation, Seattle
Designer of cloud-based customer interaction software systems

9. Eagle View Technologies, Bothell
Provider of measurements from aerial imagery

10. Allyis, Kirkland
IT consultancy specializing in managed services and staffing solutions

11. DocuSign, Seattle
Provider of secure electronic signature services

12. GGLO, Seattle
Integrated design firm offering architecture, interior design, landscape and urban design services

13. 110 Consulting, Bellevue
Business and technology consultancy

14. Blucora, Bellevue
Operates Infospace, a provider of online search and monetization solutions and TaxACT, an online tax preparation service.

15. Dade Moeller, Richland
Consultancy offering services for assessing and controlling exposure to radiation and hazardous agents

16. DataSphere Technologies, Bellevue
Provider of turnkey technology, content and sales solutions for media companies

17. The Everett Clinic, Everett
Provider of health care at nine locations in Snohomish County

18. Seed IP Law Group, Seattle
Law firm specializing in intellectual property

19. Columbia Bank, Tacoma
Banking and financial services company

20. Columbia Hospitality, Seattle

Hotel management and conference center operator

NONPROFIT FIRMS
1. Washington Technology Industry Association, Seattle
Trade organization promoting Washington technology companies

1. Career Path Services, Spokane
Provider of information making job searches and employee recruiting easier

3. Verity Credit Union, Seattle
Banking and financial services company

4. Workforce Development Council Snohomish County, Everett
Agency focusing on aiding competitiveness and boosting employment

5. Bellwether Housing, Seattle
Provider of affordable housing or low-wage working people and low-income seniors

FIRMS HEADQUARTERED OUTSIDE WASHINGTON
1 (tie). DoubleDown Interactive, Seattle
Home office (International Game Technology): Las Vegas, NV. Online social gaming company

1 (tie). Walsh Construction, Seattle
Home office: Portland, OR. Construction company

2 (tie). Cutler Investment Group, Seattle
Home office: Jacksonville, OR. Independent investment adviser

2 (tie). Edward Jones, Seattle
Home office: St. Louis, MO. Financial services firm

5. West Monroe Partners, Seattle
Home office: Chicago, IL. Consulting and professional services firm

6. Buckland & Taylor Ltd., Seattle
Home office: North Vancouver, BC. Bridge engineering firm

7. Pariveda Solutions, Bellevue
Home office: Dallas, TX. Technology consultancy

8. TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Seattle
Home office (TUI Travel): Crawley, UK. Provider of high-end travel to exotic locations via private jet

9. Weber Shandwick, Seattle
Home office: New York, NY. Global public relations and crisis management firm

10. Sogeti USA, Bellevue
Home office: Dayton, OH. Provider of IT consulting services

11. Cook Security Group, Seattle
Home office: Milwaukie, OR. Provider of alarm, security and ATM services to the banking industry

12. Pacific Continental Bank, Seattle
Home office: Eugene, OR. Banking and financial services company

13. Astronics AES, Kirkland
Home office (Astronics Corp.): East Aurora, NY. Designer of electrical power systems for aircraft and missiles.

HOW TO BE A BEST COMPANY TO WORK FOR
Benefits. Provide a comprehensive benefits package including dental. Offer a comprehensive retirement plan, paid vacation and sick leave, flexible hours, telecommuting and job-sharing opportunities.

Communication. Share good and bad news about the business. Make management accessible to employees and encourage feedback.

Corporate culture. Encourage employees to act and think independently. Focus on long-term success. Allow employees to act on their convictions.

Hiring and retention. Offer opportunities to advance. Maintain low turnover. Establish a formal program for identifying future leaders.

Leadership. Inspire employees to do well. Encourage team spirit. Respect employees and their opinions. Promote diversity. Encourage employees to take leadership. Build strong relationships based on trust.

Performance standards. Create challenging but attainable performance goals mutually agreed upon by manager and employee. Conduct evaluations that are updated regularly.

Responsibility and decision making. Foster an environment of accountability. Give employees latitude and authority. Encourage problem solving and teamwork. Rewards and recognition. Provide competitive and equitable salaries. Implement performance-based compensation. Provide bonuses for excellent performance. Regularly recognize individuals and groups.

Training and education. Promote employee development. Train mentors. Encourage employees to share expertise.

Work environment. Encourage creativity and brainstorming in a comfortable and safe setting. Provide balance between work and personal needs.

JUDGES FOR THIS YEARS 100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR
First-, second- and third-place winners were determined by this panel.
Catherine Dovey, founder and principal, Compensation Works
John Hartman, cofounder, CEOtoCEO
Charles Mah, vice president, global talent acquisition, Concur Technologies
Nita Petry, area president, Washington state, Gallagher Benefit Services
Jeannine Ryan, vice president of sales, enterprise social software, Success Factors|SAP
Brent Schlosstein, founder and principal, TRUEbenefits LLC
Josh Warborg, district president, Robert Half International