AUM: $6.7 billion
Employees: 104
The importance of location, location, location can't be overstated when it comes to a corporate headquarters.
Just ask the employees of Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. of Boston, which sits just a skip away from the Charles River as well as Harvard Stadium.
Employees of the real estate investment, development and management firm take full advantage of the walking, biking and other exercise opportunities to be found along the river as well as running the steps of the famed stadium, said Paul Nasser, chief financial and chief operating officer of the firm.
Employees are encouraged to take the time over lunch for a break, he said, a practice that helps people return to work with a refreshed perspective. "No one here frowns upon having a good work-life balance.''
Summer hours, an annual holiday party as well as company-provided breakfasts on Fridays are just a few of the perks provided at Intercontinental that combine to create a sense of balance and of being a workplace family.
A preference for promoting from within whenever possible has contributed to employee retention, he said, with an average employee tenure of just less than 10 years. Ten employees, Mr. Nasser noted, have been with the firm more than 25 years.
Employee pride is evident at Intercontinental, which is making its second appearance in Pensions & Investments' Best Places to Work in Money Management program.
"Intercontinental provides a fantastic work atmosphere; the building is beautiful and it is a fun place to work,'' said one employee in the BPTW survey.
Added another: "Intercontinental makes their employees feel valued and the culture is like a big family. As an employee, I feel that I can approach anyone in the organization from the receptionist to the president with a great level of comfort. The work that we do doesn't go unnoticed, which makes you want to always give your best.''
