EXPECT A DIFFERENT experience, says Eland Cables, and the company makes sure this applies equally to employees and clients. At the brightly decorated London office, bosses never neglect the fun factor as they believe it is what sets the firm apart. One Friday a month there is a team challenge to bring people together. A memorable one has been the Eland Olympics, with food as well as games from around the world. Staff report they have fun with their colleagues, with a 93% positive score, in 10th place nationally. The electrical cable supplier, with clients in the telecommunications, defence and rail industries, has made the top 10 overall for the first time this year. It does best — in second place — on Wellbeing, Fair Deal and Giving Something Back. Employees feel the company contributes to communities in London and Doncaster, where it has a distribution centre (82%). Staff say the business genuinely cares about the environment (91%), with a green policy that "cables should not have to cost the earth". Working from home is tricky in sales and distribution but flexible hours help to balance travel and family commitments. Deadlines are realistic (87%) and work doesn't interfere with duties at home (90%) — both top scores. Our survey shows that employees have the support they need to provide a great service (93%). Healthy food to snack on throughout the day, a gym next door and managers who take an active interest in people's wellbeing (91%) all help. Eland Cables was founded in 1975, and Philip Brown, the managing director, led a management buyout in 2005. He is an inspiring figure (96%) and employees have a great deal of faith in him as well as confidence in the leadership of the senior team (both 98%). Five of the seven senior managers were internal promotions, while working mothers, the organisation says, have "equal opportunity for career progression". Sales executives make just over £34,000, and staff feel their pay is fair for their responsibilities (88%) and compared with similar jobs in the industry (84%). The workforce of 68 people is awarded bonuses for performance and profits — good news, as profits hit a six-year high in 2010. Up to half of all employees have free private healthcare, and other perks include travel insurance, car allowances and restaurant discount cards. "Our company culture is about remembering the little things that matter to people, without forgetting who we are doing it for," says the company's mission statement, and employees feel proud to be part of the business (97%, in second place). http://www.elandcables.com/