“Job hunting? Find the right company for you. Rated by best benefits, salary, training budgets, work/life balance and stock performance.”

“Some of the best executives, such as W. James McNerney Jr. at 3M, Orin C. Smith at Starbucks, and Rose Marie Bravo at Burberry, worked hard to instill financial discipline at companies that grew even as rivals faltered. Others went to unusual lengths to inspire their employees: George David of United Technologies Corp. pays for a college education for anyone who wants one.”

“The best-managed companies cited on the following pages come from 26 different industries, but they have one factor in common: They’re all solid achievers in their respective industries. These companies exude excellence — in how they’re managed and in financial performance.”