Entries Open for Annual Principal 10 Best Small and Medium Sized Companies for Financial Security Awards

For several years now, I've had the opportunity to sit on an independent judging panel that selects The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security. Over the years, employee ownership companies have often made the list, although few have applied. We'd like to encourage companies to enter the competition this year. The judges do not know the names of the companies during the judging process. Judges include some of the leading benefits experts in the country.

Now in its seventh year, The Principal 10 Best Companies program recognizes growing businesses (5-1,000 employees) that excel at ensuring employee financial security through benefits and other programs. Each entrant receives a free, customized employee benefits report prepared by the market research firm Mathew Greenwald & Associates.

Winners receive extensive recognition and are highlighted in a Best Practices Guide. They also receive a donation to the local charity of their choice. The recognition itself is an invaluable tool in recruiting and retaining high performing employees.

You can enter online here. The deadline is May 1. Winning companies will be announced in the fall of 2008.

You can learn more about the characteristics of last year's winners by reviewing the 2007 Best Practices Guide: The Formula for Success here.