Best Places To Work This Year – And How Your Company Can Make The List Next Year.

Advertising Age recently teamed up with Best Companies Group to produce their annual "2016 Best Places to Work" list, highlighting the top marketing divisions, media companies, ad tech, and agencies from across the country. Among the 50 elite companies are just a few household names, while most others are smaller businesses that are rapidly gaining momentum.

Before we get into what makes these companies so special, let's talk about the criteria. All public, private, for-profit and not-for-profit businesses were eligible to participate. The feedback on each company was derived from two surveys – one that gathered information about employer offerings, the other to gauge workplace experience.

So where was the best place to work in 2016? Ad Age and Best Companies Group named Be Found Online, a performance marketing agency that provides search engine "optimization, programmatic buying, lead generation and analytics" to name a few offerings. Serving top-tier clients, employees reported the work environment to be demanding but flexible. Employees cited benefits including complete financial transparency among all 40 employees, exciting office games and perks, freedom to work remotely, and dogs in the office!

At Path Interactive, a digital media agency in New York City, all 43 employees are granted unlimited paid vacation. While there are a few rules (like having to schedule vacations in advance with approval from supervisors) employees reported that the trust shared with management empowered them as workers and continues to motivate them to value flexibility over financial reward.

At Cogent Entertainment Marketing, employees receive curated benefit packages designed specifically for their personal needs, including class passes and vacation support. Other office perks include after-work events and surprise-catered lunches.

What is happening here? Employers are meeting their employees half way. To balance off an incredibly demanding workload are tangible benefits that offer ease to professional and personal lives.

It goes without saying that not every company is in the position to offer the best benefit packages and major bonuses. That being said, all employers should evaluate feasible options that satisfy employees at a relatively low cost, like working from home one day a week or offering a weekly discounted yoga class to boost wellness.

By adopting better internal business practices, your company will nurture and nourish a superior level of employee satisfaction, productivity, and engagement.

You can check out the rest of the "2016 Best Places to Work" list here.