by Ian Farquharson

Created on: November 10, 2009

Best of 2009: Companies to Work For

Most people starting out on their career path have an ambition to work for the best companies. These are the ones that first of all pay well, treat their employees with respect understanding that a happy and contented workforce is more productive and provide their staff with reasonable benefits to help them produce their best work. In return the company expects that you will give your best for them to help make them successful. Fortune Magazine recently compiled a list of the best companies of 2009 and some of these names were included in this.

NetApp

NetApp is a Silicon Valley based IT company providing services to assist businesses store, manage and protect their data. The fortunes of this company have actually increased during the recent economic downturn and this is in no small measure down to the treatment of their staff who they view as a valuable asset. They have a common sense approach to business and I particularly like their approach to travel where the company policy basically states "We are a frugal company. But don't turn up somewhere dog-tired. Use your common sense" This appears to be typical of their business ethos and makes it a great company to work for. The also pay well and provide great employee benefits all of which made them the number one company in the Fortune list.

Edward Jones

Edward Jones is an investment company and considers itself one of the leaders in the financial services industry. They had the sense to avoid the high risk mortgage investments which caused so many problems for a number of investment companies and banks in the recent downturn and this has seen them come through this difficult period relatively unscathed. This has allowed then to retain staff and actually hire more at a time when most financial companies have been cutting great numbers of workers. They consider their workforce to be a family and the vast majority of employees who join tend to stay for years which is an excellent testimony to a great company.

Boston Consulting

Boston Consulting Group is a management consulting firm and one of the best in the world at advising on business strategy. The company pays well and emphasizes staff development with an extensive ongoing training program for its employees. It also has some of the best benefits in the business world including an excellent retirement plan, paid maternity leave and good health insurance. The vast majority of the staff working for the company say they are

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