Chris Grams

I suppose smaller companies probably have even more unique benefits they can offer than the larger ones do. For example, we have our "no policy policy" here at New Kind and we have a beautiful office building with a koi pond underneath with good wireless reception, perfect for working outside on nice days like today. Not every big company could afford to have a no policy policy or a koi pond for every 10 employees.

So I believe small companies might offer benefits/entitlements that are just as valuable, they may just look a lot different than those that big companies can offer (consider also that many people view the #1 benefit of being at a small company is the ability to make a difference and see the impact of your efforts).

As for your 2nd question, my guess is that any entrepreneurial venture probably started with someone who was passionate about *something*. So in smaller companies, there may be a higher chance of being mission or purpose-driven, my guess is that as companies get bigger that people often can become more disconnected from that core passion or mission... but it doesn't have to be that way, as many of the most successful mission-driven companies we see today have proven.

This is a great thought... and maybe one that organizations might consider internally too! Why couldn't a big company have its own list of the "Best Places to Work" highlighting departments or groups within the organization that are models of the values and culture the whole organization would like to embody?

That might be a fantastic way to reward and showcase the desired culture of the organization in a way that might inspire other internal groups to follow the lead...

thanks for the great ideas!