Ingredients for a Best Place to Work: Greater Pacific (asi/58135) strives to make top distributors and industry salespeople more successful. It’s no surprise then what the company looks for in its people. “We like employees to take initiative to take care of our clients at a high level. A ‘customer first,’ can-do attitude is encouraged,” says Mark St. Peter, senior import executive of the team, which he calls “a highly educated, multiracial, multilingual group that strives to be the best in our industry.”

Accordingly, members of the sales team have a lot of autonomy in everything from idea generation and communication to timelines and pricing. The same flexibility applies to employee schedules and the ability to work virtually part of the week. “We still see ourselves as a small company, more like a second family, than just as co-workers,” St. Peter says.

Top Benefits & Perks: Employees enjoy Greater Pacific’s relaxed environment. The company holds potluck BBQs in the spring and summer and an annual holiday cookie exchange, in addition to occasional Friday social gatherings. Uncapped commissions, monthly achievement awards and an open-door policy for new ideas also engender good will.