Small companies have some inherent advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, everyone on staff really does know your name. There's also the excitement and camaraderie involved in building a new enterprise. Of course, that also means risk and uncertainty. The smaller the team, the more critical it is to attract and retain the right talent. The winners here are striving to do just that. In scope and diversity, they prove there's no magic formula and no particular sector that stands out. The top companies stretch from coast to coast. No. 1 on the list is Halifax-based SportsDirect, a star in the world of on-line sports statistics and gambling odds. Other top picks include community credit unions, non-profit agencies and some fascinating niche businesses.
Our partners in the survey are the Queen's School of Business and Hewitt Associates, a global human resources outsourcing and consulting firm. The study was coordinated through the Queen's Centre for Business Venturing, whose mission is to improve the odds of success for new ventures.
The process began last summer, when 79 organizations from across the country registered for the study. For the most part, each employer's ranking was based on a detailed questionnaire handed out to employees. Other factors taken into consideration include information about the organization's leaders, how closely the goals of those leaders and the company's workers are aligned, and whether workplace practices and programs reinforce the employer's vision.
For more information, including instructions on how to participate in next year's survey, log on to http://www.business.queensu.ca/qcbv/sme or call 1-877-955-1800.
SportsDirect
HQ: Halifax
Industry: Media
Employees: 104
Turnover rate: 10%
What they do: The world's most-read on-line media company for sports statistics, gambling odds and news. Publications include Wagerline.com and PokerFan.com.
Their story: In 1995, Paul Lavers and Joe MacDonald, two 23-year-old Halifax university students, started SportsDirect by generating sports stats on a computer in Lavers' parents' basement for on-line gambling site Covers.com.
Kudos: Top-ranked firm in the survey for work/life balance and work environment.
Benefits: Extra compensation ranges from shares in the firm after the first year to bonuses for referring successful hires.
On the horizon: "People like coming to work here because of the culture that developed over time. We need to keep that alive as we grow. At the same time, we need to develop leaders within the organization that will keep that going but also build the business." Rob Begg, VP, Marketing
High Road Communications
HQ: Toronto
Industry: Public relations
Employees: 63
Turnover rate: 4%
What they do: PR and marketing for high-tech firms.
Their story: When 29-year-old Hill & Knowlton exec Mia Wedgbury and two colleagues left the firm to start High Road in 1996, her boss said, "You're way too young you don't have the experience to make this happen." Today, she heads up Canada's largest tech-specific PR agency.
Kudos: Top in the survey for career opportunities, motivated employees and senior management leadership. In an industry where workers are known to move around frequently, High Road has lost only two employees to competitors in 10 years.
Benefits: To improve communication, the firm has developed initiatives such as Operation Lunch Hour, which encourages VPs to take employees who they don't normally work with for lunch.
Sapient Canada
HQ: Toronto Industry: IT services Employees: 101
Turnover rate: 17%
What they do: Sapient is an international business and technology consulting firm whose clients include BP, Harrah's Entertainment, Hilton International and Enbridge.
Kudos: It ranked second in manager support.
Benefits: Biannual performance reviews are linked to promotions and increased compensation. Plus, Sapient offers two weeks of paid leave for new dads, in addition to vacation time.
CNC Global
HQ: Toronto
Industry: IT services
Employees: 247
Turnover rate: 15%
What they do: An IT placement firm that also provides administration and payroll services.
Kudos: Ranked third for employee satisfaction with pay.
Good deeds: President (and gourmand)Terry Power regularly auctions off special dinners for employees at his home. The proceeds go to charity. Plus, CNC's Toronto branch raised $175,000 last year for organizations that include Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, the Kidney Foundation and the Sky's the Limit (an organization that provides refurbished computers for inner-city kids).
Cariboo Friendship Society
HQ: Williams Lake, B.C.
Industry: Not-for-profit social services agency
Employees: 56
Turnover rate: 9%
What they do: Provide shelter services, early-childhood development programs and employment counselling for the Williams Lake community.
Kudos: Highest-ranked company for corporate citizenship, with staff satisfied that their employer adds value to the community.
On the horizon: "Our biggest challenge is providing salaries to match qualifications. Most of our programs only allow a predetermined amount for salaries. And there's nothing special about our pay or benefits. The key here is our strong, supportive environment. The word 'family' is mentioned often." Jocelyn Fransen, executive secretary
