Professional builder magazine names Chandler Design-Build of Chapel Hill, North Carolina to 101 Best List for 2ND year running

At Chandler Design-Build in Chapel Hill, N.C., managing partner Michael Chandler pays for employees to attend seminars, trade shows or classes, even if they're not directly related to skills used on the job. He gives all new hires a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People so they can learn to work in teams and get along with others. But continuing education is not required.

"The idea of something being mandatory here doesn't fit with the spirit of our company; things are encouraged," Chandler says. "People take advantage of it differently depending on where they are in their lives."

Given Chandler's decision to keep his nine-person company small, he also can teach employees how the company works from the top down. He reviews the company's financials with employees, and opens the books to them to illustrate how decisions are made and profit is distributed. His dedication to teaching and to encouraging employees to mentor one another pays off.

"If people feel like they're learning something from their job, as well as paying the rent, they'll be less fixated on what their paycheck is and more fixated on being part of the team," Chandler says. "Every time I increase the benefits to my employees, I end up increasing the benefits to my customers and my bottom line. It's contributed to our company's success."