Why be on a list? The short answer is: Value...Value to the organization, to the employee, to the customer, to the investor.

New research documented in an article in the May 2003 issue of Workforce Magazine, written by Joanne Cleaver, gives many reasons why getting on a "Best of" list pays off for a company. Recognition is always appreciated, but it doesn't stop there:

• A company's reputation as an "employer of choice" often goes up and down according to its placement on well-publicized lists
• Ranking on a sought-after list serves as a compelling attraction tool among recruits, employees, investors, and customers
• Once a company is established as a "best" employer, employee expectations continue to rise. The challenge to maintain or even move up on the list can motivate both employee and employer to continue to live up to and improve upon this outstanding reputation.

A recent study from Cornell University provides hard data to back up the positive effects of being on a "best" list. Financial performance of companies on the Working Mother 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers were analyzed and it was found that companies on the list are worth 3 to 6 percent more than peers that aren't. The conclusion of this study by Daniel Simon, assistant professor with the Department of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell, is that companies that offer work/life benefits deemed significant enough to earn a ranking on the Working Mother list are worth $12,000 more per employee than peers who do not offer these valuable employee programs.

Experts say that another "list" plus is the marketing payback. Often, tremendous media attention is bestowed upon list winners, all at no cost to the individual company.

Salespeople, customers and clients consider list status when scrutinizing potential suppliers and vendors, especially before signing long-term contracts. Recognition on a list provides a proverbial "stamp of approval" which, in turn, increases confidence in a potential vendor.

Getting on a "best" list can help raise the bar in organizations where reform-minded human resources staffers are pushing for updated practices and policies. Once a company is on one of these it can be embarrassing to "fall off." Inclusion one year does not guarantee inclusion the next. Each edition of a list starts with a clean slate and a company has to prove its case all over again. The bar is always getting higher and the most successful companies see this as a positive way to grow.

The value of ranking well on a prestigious list resonates strongly with current and potential employees. Managers feel a stronger sense of commitment to the policies and practices that were cited in the award. They realize they are the ones responsible for maintaining what has been officially recognized as an excellent place to work.

One thing is certain, when a company is acknowledged as a great company, everyone wins.