Ingredients for a Best Place to Work: The mission at Top 40 supplier Showdown Displays (asi/87188) can be distilled into five words: “great products” and “legendary customer experiences.” CEO and Counselor Power 50 member John Bruellman says the simplicity of those ideas provides clarity to both veterans and newcomers and empowers them to do whatever it takes to deliver. “We have a culture of taking our business very seriously, but ourselves less so,” Bruellman says. “Having fun while we work is one of the reasons people gravitate to – and stay at – Showdown Displays.”

Company President Kevin Walsh adds that by “focusing our efforts on employee engagement, we’ve created an environment rooted in clear expectations, transparency and empowerment. In turn, that’s produced a culture that thrives on customer delight.” Walsh, also a member of the Power 50, says it’s unusual to see a company as large as Showdown be able to cultivate and maintain a culture so focused on employee engagement. “But we have,” he says, “and in the process, we’ve built an environment that’s grounded in our core values which recognizes and celebrates those moments that deliver delight to our reseller partners.” A culture of measurement at the company leads to recognition, rewards and the answer to an often nebulous question: How do you know when you’ve had a good day at work? “Every team member has a clear understanding of what’s expected of them and an objective set of measurements to gauge their performance,” says Walsh. “As a result, each team member knows when they’ve had a good day.”

Top Benefits & Perks: In addition to a full range of insurance, PTO and holidays, Showdown offers a 401(k) plan where the company matches 100% of the employee’s first 1% of pay deferred, and then 50% of the next 5%. It also matches 3.5% if the employee defers 6% or greater. Additionally, Showdown has travel assistance (from lost luggage to something as serious as needing to be evacuated due to a medical emergency) and an employee assistance program for employees and their loved ones. Additionally, there are employee discount programs where staffers can save 25% for their car rentals, up to 30% for hotel stays, earn reward points when they shop at popular spots like PetSmart, Sephora or Lands’ End or eat at popular restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John’s and many more. They can also get deals on attractions like Disneyland, Six Flags and SeaWorld.