The 25 Best Employers of India are the best for several reasons. One is the effectiveness of their innovative practices and policies which are advantageous to their employees. Infosys' success and number one positioning lies in the emphasis it places on producing dynamic and successful leaders. And the best part is that the senior-most leaders of the company are involved in setting processes that supports the company's emphasis. If anything characterises Procter & Gamble, then it is its openness and principle-based approach regarding policies and practices that apply to their employees. The policies and practices address the needs of the employees instead of their level.

Despite the impact of the IT slowdown, Hewlett-Packard (India) believes in a healthy balance between work and life, which reflects in their flexible working arrangements and the innovative processes concerning leave. They even have an eight week leave while adopting a child. Work-life balance is also encouraged in SKB Consumer Healthcare through its practices such as work-week and flexitime. Working from home is the added advantage that all area sales managers have - they are provided with laptops to do so.

Satyam Computers strongly believes in grooming its employees to greater responsibilities thereby attributing to the employee's career development. One of its innovative practices is the 'suggestions' mileage card. The card gives points to the suggestions offered by its employees which can be redeemed later. Ranked at number 6, Agilent Technologies places great emphasis on employee satisfaction. Pulse, the online survey that is undertaken every week ensures that all employee concerns are met.

The ranking of a Public Sector Unit (PSU) on the 25 Best Employer's List may be surprising, but some of its practices have ensured that it is unlike most other PSUs. Not only does it have a performance management system and a competency mapping programme but it also provides complete medical coverage with no cap on expenditure. The coverage is extended to retired employees as well.

American Express (India) has several structured forums which ensure effective communication such as town halls, skip level meetings, home days and MBWA (management by walking around). It also encourages its employees to maintain a healthy balance between work and life. At Colgate-Palmolive (India), people development is the key focus. While all employees irrespective of grades or function, are required to work the market, cross functional moves help employees to gain competencies in several fields. Ranked no.10, Gillette India puts its key phrase 'World Class Brands, Products, People' in practise by giving international exposure to its employees. This kind of exposure helps widen business perspective, strengthen functional expertise, transfer best practices and operate in a diverse background.

But the innovative practices as put in practice by the above employers are the not the reason alone why they are in the 25 Best Employers list. They outperform other companies not only in terms of the number of initiatives they have in place but also in terms of their clear vision - they know how to achieve and communicate it.

The following are some of the practices that the above companies strongly believe in; and those practices which help achieve their goals.

1. Spirit and motivation always beat mere talent.
2. The best never underestimate the power of dreams.
3. The best understand the influence of human relations.
4. The best know that the potential for greatness lies in all.
5. The best build systems on strong foundations.
6. Best employers get the pay equation right.
7. The best take everyone along.

Best Employers - An Organisational Profile

• 90 per cent of the employees of these organisations are male and 10 per cent are female.
• The largest best employer has 32, 266 full-time employees. The smallest has 106 full-time employees. The average number of currently employed full-time employees is 3,514.04, and the median is 1,493.
• 20.53 per cent of the employees at best employers have work experience of less than 2 years; 17.47 per cent have work experience of 2-5 years; 17.74 per cent have work experience of 20-24 years.
• 22.91 per cent of the employees at best employers belonged to the age group of 26-30 years; 2.58 per cent of the employees were 55 years of age or older.
• 35 per cent of the best employers have an average CEO tenure of more than five years.