WARREN, Mich., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After extensive research and more than a decade of presenting the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ program, the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has released its latest findings on the key components that winning companies have put in place in order to be named a Best and Brightest company.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ program recognizes companies who acknowledge that employees are their greatest asset and work with conviction to create organizational value and business results through their people. Winning companies are innovative when it comes to demonstrating commitment to employees and represent the leading edge in human resources practices.

Data from the NABR's research has determined that Best and Brightest companies tend to focus on six key areas. They include communication, work-life balance, compensation and benefits, team building, community and diversity.

Specifically, results from the NABR surveys have revealed the following statistics about their Best and Brightest winning companies:

• Communication
  • 55  percent offer mentoring and coaching programs to employees
  • 91 percent use a company intranet or website to communicate with employees
  • 80 percent use some type of survey to annually gauge employee engagement
• Work-Life Balance
  • 75 percent offer employees the opportunity to telecommute
  • 90 percent offer flexible scheduling, including flex-time and job sharing
  • 48 percent offer phased-in return-to-work programs from a leave of absence
• Compensation and Benefits
  • 68 percent increased base compensation
  • 73 percent offer wellness incentives
  • 78 percent offer employees discounts with negotiated vendors
• Team Building
  • 60 percent offer a referral bonus to employees who recruit new team members
  • 98 percent encourage employees to participate in skills training
• Community
  • 87 percent conduct on-site activities such as blood banks and food drives
  • 80 percent sponsor local charitable activities
• Diversity
  • 50 percent host or sponsor activities that celebrate multi-culturalism and diversity
  • 67 percent offer written diversity statements

"These results reveal what we as an organization have known for a long time -- healthy work environments and motivated, engaged teams have been shown to translate directly to improved business performance and the financial health of the organization," said Jennifer Kluge, NABR president.

The "Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™," a program of the National Association for Business Resources, is presented annually in five markets: Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Houston and Grand Rapids as well as nationally. Nominations for the National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ 2013 program are now being accepted online at www.101bestandbrightest.com.  Anyone can complete the online entry form. Nomination forms are also available by calling 866-321-1822. The nomination deadline is February 1, 2013.  Benefits of participating include complimentary consulting, free legal HR Hotline, a social media group and customer service through out the entire year.  Additional advantages include a winner media campaign and the option to celebrate achievements at one of the regional Symposium and Awards Galas.  Visit http://www.101bestandbrightest.com/winners/2012/national to see the list of 2012 honorees.

Call 866-321-1822 or visit www.101bestandbrightest.com for sponsorship, advertising and exhibit opportunities.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ is an awards competition providing the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This is the premier awards symposium that celebrates those companies that are making the lives of their employees better as well as the community as a whole. The 101 Best and Brightest program provides yearlong education, benchmarking, assessment tools and interaction amongst the best employers among various regions such as Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Houston and Grand Rapids.

SOURCE National Association for Business Resources