Our annual ranking of Atlantic Canada's Best Places to Work proves that great companies put their people first. They communicate, motivate, appreciate, and support their employees' lives beyond the office

It’s no secret that success is about finding and keeping the best people out there—now more so than ever. But it’s also true that teams are only as good as their weakest members. The trick is to have the right support structures in place.

So how do the companies on this year’s Top 25 list do it? They focus on putting people first and they help their employees manage their lives inside and outside the office. They also fine-tune practices and share winning attributes: hands-on and highly visible leadership; frequent and transparent communication between employers and employees; recognition and fun at work; strong work-life balance; and fairness and equality among all staff members.

What tickled us this year? One company allows pets at work once a week, another turned a new employee’s crazy idea into an ingenious time-saving measure, and another uses a friendly mascot to promote good internal communication. Who are these inspiring leaders and followers? Click the links below to find out.

Family Ties
It's not the best of times  for auto dealerships, but Bruce GM in rural Nova Scotia is thriving with record sales. And all it took was a shift in its corporate culture to make sure its staff was happy

Flex Appeal
The days of ping-pong tables and wet bars are gone. The smartest companies are now giving their employees the perks they really want—the ability to keep their family lives in balance

Look Who's Talking
Two-way communication is the basis of any good relationship. It's no different between employees and management

Click here to see the entire 2009 Best Places to Work list