Keeping employees motivated (and satisfied) is an eternal challenge, as HR professionals from the biggest global conglomerates to the newest Silicon Valley startups will attest. But as these companies show, it's not impossible. In our second annual ranking of the 50 Best Small and Medium-Size Companies to Work For, we asked our partners at Great Place to Work to determine the top small businesses in the U.S. that have created unique cultures and great workplaces on par with those that appear on our 100 Best Companies list. Though the perks may be similar -- stock options, free food, yoga classes, and unusually generous benefits programs -- there's one big difference: They have under 1,000 employees.

 1. Professional Placement Resources

SMALL COMPANY*

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Employees: 80

Revenue: N.A.

    The pet-friendly staffing agency places nurses in temp jobs in all 50 states -- and provides private housing and travel reimbursement.   

2. Talent Plus

SMALL COMPANY

Lincoln, Neb.

Employees: 116

Revenue: N.A.

    Rather than performance reviews, employees of this global HR consulting firm have career investment discussions with managers.  

3. Ruby Receptionists

SMALL COMPANY

Portland, Ore.

Employees: 95

Revenue: $7.8 million

    The quirky virtual agency provides reception services to small businesses. A five-year milestone is rewarded with a five-week paid sabbatical.  

4. Granite Properties

SMALL COMPANY

Plano, Texas

Employees: 143

Revenue: $153.3 million

    New hires at this commercial real estate manager are paired with a tenured field buddy, who gives them tours of the company's properties. 

5. ENGEO

SMALL COMPANY

San Ramon, Calif.

Employees: 134

Revenue: N.A.

    The "dream manager" at this engineering consultant helps colleagues plan personal and professional goals, from home buying to careers.

    无论是全球集团企业，还是硅谷企业初创企业的人力资源专业人士都会认同一点，让员工持续获得激励（同时保持满意）是一个永恒的挑战。但我们选出的这些公司不标明，它并非不可能完成的任务。在《财富》杂志进行美国中小企业最佳雇主50强第二次年度评选时，我们邀请Great Place to Work的合作伙伴，秉持《财富》“最适宜工作的100家公司”榜单相同的标准，遴选出了一批成功地打造了出类拔萃的文化和出色的工作环境的美国中小企业。虽然它们提供的待遇可能大同小异，比如股票期权、免费食物、瑜伽课程以及通常慷慨的福利计划，但有一项重大差异是:这些公司的员工人数都不到1,000人。

1.Professional Placement Resources劳务公司

公司规模：小型企业*

公司所在地：佛罗里达州杰克逊维尔海滩

员工人数：80

营收：未能获取

    这家劳务公司在美国所有50个州安排临时护士工作——公司对宠物友好，提供私人住房和旅游报销。

2.Talent Plus人力资源公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：内布拉斯加州林肯

员工人数：116

营收：未能获取

    这家全球人力资源咨询公司不搞绩效评估，而是与经理人进行职业投资的探讨。

3.Ruby Receptionists代理公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：俄勒冈州波特兰

员工人数：95

营收：780万美元

    这家奇特的虚拟代理公司为小企业提供前台服务。工作每满5年就能获得长达5周的带薪休假期。   

4.Granite Properties物业公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：得克萨斯州布兰诺

员工人数：143

营收：1.533亿美元

    这家商业地产管理公司会给每位新员工配备物业现场的固定搭档，由搭档带领参观公司的物业。  

5.ENGEO工程咨询公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：加利福尼亚州圣拉蒙

员工人数：134

营收：未能获取

    这家工程咨询公司的“梦想管理人”会帮助同事规划涵盖从买房到事业等诸多个人和职业目标。

6. Badger Mining

SMALL COMPANY

Berlin, Wis.

Employees: 220

Revenue: N.A.

    There are few titles and there is no corporate ladder at this family-owned sand extractor, where profit-sharing bonuses are handed out every quarter.  

7. Studer Group

SMALL COMPANY

Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Employees: 196

Revenue: $60.2 million

    The founder of this health care consultancy sends gift cards to recognize birthdays: Employees receive $75, and their kids (under 18) get $25.

8. SnagAJob.com

SMALL COMPANY

Glen Allen, Va.

Employees: 185

Revenue: N.A.

    The online employment site rewards tenure with vacation packages on big anniversaries. Ten years are celebrated with a week in the Bahamas.  

9. Dixon Schwabl

SMALL COMPANY

Victor, N.Y.

Employees: 77

Revenue: $29.3 million

    Not one but two house bands rock the headquarters of this advertising, marketing, and public relations agency near Rochester. 

10. Putney

SMALL COMPANY

Portland, Maine

Employees: 57

Revenue: $19.2 million

    All employees of this maker of generic prescription drugs for pets are urged to volunteer with local nonprofit charities on company time.

6.Badger Mining矿业公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：威斯康辛州柏林

员工人数：220

营收：未能获取

    这家家族拥有的挖沙企业只设置了很少的头衔，也没有晋升层级，但它每个季度都向员工发放利润分成奖金。   

7.Studer Group医疗咨询公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：佛罗里达州微风湾

员工人数：196

营收：6,020万美元

    这家医疗咨询公司的创始人会亲自向员工发放生日礼品卡：员工能获得75美元，员工（不满18岁的）子女能获得25美元。 

8.招聘网站SnagAJob.com

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：弗吉尼亚州格伦艾伦

员工人数：185

营收：未能获取

    这家招聘网站为老员工提供度假套餐，庆祝一些重要的工作周年。员工工龄满十年就可以在巴哈马群岛度假一周。 

9.Dixon Schwabl公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：纽约州维克多

员工人数：77

营收：2,930万美元

    这家广告、营销和公关公司临近罗彻斯特的总部拥有不是一只，而是两只乐队。

10.Putney宠物制药公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：缅因州波特兰

员工人数：57

营收：1,920万美元

    这家宠物仿制处方药制造商鼓励所有员工在工作时间去当地非营利慈善机构做志愿者。

11. The Clymb

SMALL COMPANY

Portland, Ore.

Employees: 104

Revenue: N.A.

    Staffers at this outdoor retailer take wellness to another level: They interrupt their work to do group planks at least once a day -- or more. 

12. City of Rancho Cordova

SMALL COMPANY

Rancho Cordova, Calif.

Employees: 65

Revenue: $71.9 million

    The municipal government of this Sacramento suburb eliminates bureaucratic red tape by allowing staff to make many decisions.

13. Radio Flyer

SMALL COMPANY

Chicago

Employees: 60

Revenue: $85 million

    The 96-year-old little-red-wagon company is still a family-owned business, currently led by the third generation of the Pasin family.

14. Blach Construction

SMALL COMPANY

Santa Clara , Calif.

Employees: 169

Revenue: $125 million

    Field supervisors at this commercial builder give gift cards for smart decisions. Job excellence is celebrated at lunch with senior managers.

15. Insomniac Games

SMALL COMPANY

Burbank, Calif.

Employees: 183

Revenue: N.A.

    Software designers at this independent videogame maker get unlimited paid days to attend developer conferences and entertainment expos.

16. AnswerLab

SMALL COMPANY

San Francisco

Employees: 36

Revenue: $7.9 million

    Staff meetings at this web research firm begin with yoga or stretching and end with outdoor exercises; smaller meetings are walk-and-talks.

11.户外零售商The Clymb

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：俄勒冈州波特兰

员工人数：104

营收：未能获取

    这家户外零售商的员工们将健身提升到了一个新高度：他们每天至少一次（甚至更多次）中断工作，集体挑战平板撑体运动。  

12.兰乔科尔多瓦市

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：加利福尼亚州兰乔科尔多瓦

员工人数：65

营收：7,190万美元

    这个萨克拉门托郊区的市政府把大量的决策权交给职员，借此消除了官僚习气。 

13.Radio Flyer公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：芝加哥

员工人数：60

营收：8,500万美元

    这已经家有96年历史的小红货车公司至今仍是一家家族企业，现由Pasin家族的第三代传人领导。 

14.Blach Construction建筑公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：加利福尼亚州圣克拉拉

员工人数：169

营收：1.25亿美元

    员工一旦作出了明智的决策，这家商业建筑公司的工程监理就会送上礼品卡予以奖励。工作出色就能与高级经理共进午餐，以示庆祝。   

15.游戏开发公司Insomniac Games

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：加利福尼亚州伯班克

员工人数：183

营收：未能获取

    这家独立视频游戏开发商的软件设计人员可无限次带薪参加开发人员大会或娱乐展会。 

16.互联网研究公司AnswerLab

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：旧金山

员工人数：36

营收：790万美元

    这家互联网研究公司的员工会议总是以瑜伽或拉伸操开始，以户外运动结束；小型会议则是边走边谈。

17. Kahler Slater

SMALL COMPANY

Milwaukee

Employees: 90

Revenue: $15.8 million

    The design firm boasts two CEOs, who host monthly breakfast gatherings for staff to share coffee and watch a specially chosen TED talk.

18. Sage Rutty

SMALL COMPANY

Rochester

Employees: 54

Revenue: $10.5 million

    The 98-year-old financial services firm has a small-town feel: Each fall it hosts a chili cook-off to benefit breast cancer research.

19. Atlassian

SMALL COMPANY

San Francisco

Employees: 232

Revenue: N.A.

    All new hires of this enterprise-software developer are given a travel voucher to take their families on vacation before beginning the new job.

20. Decision Lens

SMALL COMPANY

Arlington, Va.

Employees: 63

Revenue: $8.5 million

    This software designer takes staff on unusual trips to see how other teams work -- including a visit to the U.S.S. Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

21. AgileThought

SMALL COMPANY

Tampa

Employees: 90

Revenue: $16.8 million

    Staff of this software maker who travel for work extensively have had their families flown to meet them -- all on the company's dime.

17.Kahler Slater设计公司

SMALL COMPANY

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：密尔沃基

员工人数：90

营收：1,580万美元

    这家设计公司拥有两名CEO，负责主持每月的员工早餐会，一起分享咖啡以及观看特别挑选的TED演讲。   

18.金融服务公司Sage Rutty

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：罗彻斯特

员工人数：54

营收：1,050万美元

    这家拥有98年历史的金融服务公司给人一种小镇的感觉：每年秋季，它都会主办一场红辣椒烹饪比赛，收益用于乳腺癌研究。 

19.Atlassian软件开发公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：旧金山

员工人数：232

营收：未能获取

    这家企业软件开发商的新员工都会收到一张旅游券，让他们在开始新工作前先带家人去度个假。  

20.Decision Lens软件设计公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：弗吉尼亚州阿灵顿

员工人数：63

营收：850万美元

    这家软件设计公司经常带领员工踏上不同寻常的旅程，了解其他团队的工作状态，其中包括包括参观艾森豪威尔航空母舰。

21.软件开发公司AgileThought

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：坦帕

员工人数：90

营收：1,680万美元

    在这家软件开发公司，因为出差东奔西走的员工可以安排家人乘飞机来团聚，所有费用都由公司承担。

22. Integrated Project Management

SMALL COMPANY

Burr Ridge, Ill.

Employees: 108

Revenue: $22.1 million

    The consulting firm covers 100% of health care premiums for employees and dependents. Bonuses of $5,000 are paid for hiring referrals.  

23. Alvarado Street Bakery

SMALL COMPANY

Petaluma, Calif.

Employees: 121

Revenue: $28 million

    This organic bakery, founded in 1977 as a small hippie baker in the Bay Area, invites staff to become part owners and offers profit sharing.

24. Daxko

SMALL COMPANY

Birmingham, Ala.

Employees: 241

Revenue: $21.2 million

    Three times a year employees at this software maker for nonprofits take a two-week break to form new teams and develop ideas.

25. Globoforce

SMALL COMPANY

Southborough, Mass.

Employees: 93

Revenue: N.A.

    Eric Mosley, CEO of this HR consulting firm, discusses its recognition programs in his new book, The Crowdsourced Performance Review.

22. 咨询公司Integrated Project Management

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：伊利诺伊州波尔利奇

员工人数：108

营收：2,210万美元

    这家咨询公司为员工及其家属提供100%的医疗保险。推荐别人入职还能获得5,000美元奖励。  

23.Alvarado Street Bakery烘焙公司

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：加利福尼亚州佩塔卢马

员工人数：121

营收：2,800万美元

    这家1977年成立的有机烘焙公司是湾区一家小型嬉皮烘焙公司。它邀请员工成为共有人，还提供利润分成。 

24.非营利性软件公司Daxko

公司规模：小型企业

公司所在地：阿拉巴马州伯明翰

员工人数：241

营收：2,120万美元

    这家非营利性软件公司的员工每年有三次、每次2周的时间暂时脱离常规工作，用于构建新团队、构思新点子。

25.Globoforce人力资源咨询公司

公司规模：小型企业

马萨诸塞州绍斯伯勒

员工人数：93

营收：未能获取

    这家人力资源咨询公司的CEO艾瑞克•莫斯利在个人的新书《众包的绩效考核》(The Crowdsourced Performance Review)中探讨了自己所在公司的员工认可计划。

1. Acuity

MEDIUM COMPANY*

Sheboygan, Wis.

Employees: 956

Revenue: $982.9 million

    The regional insurer has no cap on tuition reimbursement for job-related classes. Staff can vie for one of 130 plots in an onsite community garden.

2. Intuitive Research & Technology

MEDIUM COMPANY

Huntsville, Ala.

Employees: 266

Revenue: $187.4 million

    Military-contract consultant takes job applicants to meet the client during the interview process, since most employees work on location.

3. Riot Games

MEDIUM COMPANY

Santa Monica

Employees: 846

Revenue: N.A.

    Videogame developer hosts quarterly Thunderdome hackathons that allow Rioters to test out pet projects on gamer colleagues.

4. Return Path

MEDIUM COMPANY

New York City

Employees: 300

Revenue: $58 million

    In addition to stretch bonuses for taking on extra responsibilities, this email software developer awards annual stock option grants.

5. Pinnacle Financial Partners

MEDIUM COMPANY

Nashville

Employees: 764

Revenue: $206.2 million

    All employees are invited to join a book club, which meets a few times a year to discuss business books -- often at the home of the CEO.

1.Acuity保险公司

公司规模：中型企业*

公司所在地：威斯康辛州希博伊根

员工人数：956

营收：9.829亿美元

    这家地区性的保险公司全额报销员工参加的工作培训的学费，报销无上限。员工还可申请公司社区花园130块地块中的一块。

2.咨询公司Intuitive Research & Technology

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：阿拉巴马州汉茨维尔

员工人数：266

营收：1.874亿美元

    这家军方合约咨询公司在面试阶段就会让求职者会见客户，因为大多数员工都在客户现场工作。

3.Riot Games游戏开发商

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：圣莫尼卡

员工人数：846

营收：未能获取

    这家视频游戏开发商每个季度都会举行Thunderdome编程马拉松，让宠物项目(pet project)接受玩家同事的彻底检验。

4.Return Path电邮软件开发公司

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：纽约市

员工人数：300

营收：5,800万美元

    除了承担额外责任获得奖金外，这家电邮软件开发商每年还授以股票期权。

5.Pinnacle Financial Partners

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：纳什维尔

员工人数：764

营收：2.062亿美元

    所有员工都受邀参加一个读书俱乐部，每年多次聚在一起讨论商业书籍，而地点经常是在公司CEO的家里。

6. Assurance Agency

MEDIUM COMPANY

Schaumburg, Ill.

Employees: 297

Revenue: $59.4 million

    Last year staff of this insurance broker were invited to run a 5K. Everyone completed it and earned a 2% salary bonus and $600 in cash.

7. EKS&H

MEDIUM COMPANY

Denver

Employees: 430

Revenue: $63.5 million

    Accounting firm offers an 11-month year to full-time employees, who may trade pay for additional time off, separate from paid vacation.

8. Customink

MEDIUM COMPANY

Tysons Corner, Va.

Employees: 650

Revenue: $113 million

    Free food is the culture at this online custom T-shirt designer, which provides two meals to the staff each week, in addition to snacks.

9. Clif Bar

MEDIUM COMPANY

Emeryville, Calif.

Employees: 340

Revenue: N.A.

    The maker of energy bars and organic foods holds to its sustainability mission with a $6,500 incentive for purchasing hybrid or eco-friendly cars.

10. Holder Construction

MEDIUM COMPANY

Atlanta

Employees: 553

Revenue: $1.1 billion

    Associates who move for out-of-town projects are offered a variety of relocation benefits to make the transition easier for their families.

11. Cirrus Logic

MEDIUM COMPANY

Austin

Employees: 665

Revenue: $426 million

    Music is in the heart of this maker of audio gear and tech products: Employees get VIP treatment and tickets to the South by Southwest festival.

12. Eileen Fisher

MEDIUM COMPANY

Irvington, N.Y.

Employees: 985

Revenue: $368 million

    Everyone gets the same percentage salary increase at this retailer instead of raises tied to performance. Profit sharing is also divided evenly.

13. Hagerty

MEDIUM COMPANY

Traverse City, Mich.

Employees: 534

Revenue: N.A.

    The world's biggest insurer of classic cars and boats allows employees to collect points for outstanding work and redeem them for gift cards.

14. ESL Federal Credit Union

MEDIUM COMPANY

Rochester

Employees: 649

Revenue: $165.5 million

    The CEO of this credit union, started by Kodak founder George Eastman in 1920, goes on "road shows" to pay personal visits to staff.

15. 4imprint

MEDIUM COMPANY

Oshkosh, Wis.

Employees: 522

Revenue: $256.5 million

    The maker of promotional products has no offices and a laid-back culture -- even the president wears a white T-shirt and blue jeans to work.

16. Walker & Dunlop

MEDIUM COMPANY

Bethesda, Md.

Employees: 450

Revenue: $256.7 million

    Last year 27 employees at this financier of commercial real estate projects received $2,000 each for reaching three years of service.

17. Infusionsoft

MEDIUM COMPANY

Chandler, Ariz.

Employees: 398

Revenue: $39 million

    Once a month employees at this maker of sales and marketing software are given a catered lunch and released from work at 2:30 p.m.

18. ZocDoc

MEDIUM COMPANY

New York City

Employees: 450

Revenue: N.A.

    The headquarters of this medical tech company has an office rec room, replete with arcade games, Ping-Pong tables, and a hammock.

19. Lincoln Industries

MEDIUM COMPANY

Lincoln, Neb.

Employees: 525

Revenue: $120.4 million

    This metal finisher encourages employees to get outside the factory. This year more than 200 took a free mountain-climbing trip to Colorado.

20. West Monroe Partners

MEDIUM COMPANY

Chicago

Employees: 373

Revenue: $65.4 million

    Employees at this tech consultant come up with their own titles. Not surprisingly the position of chief beer brewer has already been taken.

21.Capco金融顾问公司

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：纽约市

员工人数：563

营收：9,370万美元

    这家金融顾问公司坚持每位员工每年休假两周，连续休假10天者可获1,000美元奖金。

22.LeasePlan USA汽车租赁公司

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：佐治亚州阿尔法利塔

员工人数：489

营收：未能获取

    委员会总是会策划一些特别的活动，比如傻瓜高尔夫、乒乓球锦标赛以及火鸡保龄球。

23. 手工工艺品网站Etsy

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：布鲁克林

员工人数：450

营收：未能获取

    这个在线的手工工艺品市场云集了众多时尚活动和创意表现。

24.国防承包商DELTA Resources

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：弗吉尼亚州亚历山大

员工人数：275

营收：4,310万美元

    这家国防承包商允许员工在年底时一次性将未使用的休假折算成钱，这种做法在任何行业都不常见。

25. dunnhumbyUSA

公司规模：中型企业

公司所在地：辛辛那提

员工人数：715

营收：3亿美元

    这家公司的母公司是总部位于伦敦的消费研究公司。作为它的美国子公司，dunnhumbyUSA每年有两次“创新周五”（Innovation Fridays）活动，致力于改善工作实务。（财富中文网）

    译者：早稻米

    说明：本文所说的小型企业指的是员工人数在25至249名之间的企业；中型企业指的是员工人数在250至999之间的企业；本文员工人数仅统计各公司在美国的员工人数；本文所采用的营收数字是2012财年的数字；N.A.表明未能获取相关数字。