Characteristics of Top 100 Companies

If you run the top 100 companies through the job characteristics model, my perception is lot of the employees working for these companies have high task identity, they feel their work makes a significant impact to their employer, have a great deal of autonomy and empowerment, and their companies listen to them. While good pay, benefits, and perks promote very positive things about a company and may entice candidates to join their organization, once you’re there, they want to keep you, which is why successful companies make substantial investments in leadership courses, employee evaluations, and paying for their leaders to work towards and obtain their MBA.
My company applies the SMART methodology to goals like no company I’ve ever worked for. Everything, and I mean everything, is measured. We are constantly challenged to think outside the box and are always reminded “if it wasn’t hard, everyone would already be doing it.” While aggressive, our goals are not unrealistic and we’re given enough of a time window to either accomplish our mission or provide valid feedback as to why it cannot be accomplished.
As far as benefits are concerned, our company as an amazing package to all employees (free health insurance, matched 401K contribution at a high percentage, one month of vacation per year for new employees, etc.), and the benefits are one reason the company attracts the best in our industry. Like NUCOR, our company has a large performance pay component to its compensation package. I find this to be a very positive motivator because if you have this type of model, the goals must be specific and well communicated in order for it to be effective and have your company and employees benefit financially.