Corporate culture: Pohly & Partners

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, Feb, 2002 by Susan Thea Posnock

PORTFOLIO: 16 custom magazines, as well as newsletters and Web content for clients including Continental Airlines, Sotheby's International Realty, UAW-Daimler Chrysler and Western Union.

LOCATION: Boston

WORD ON THE COMPANY: A fast-paced, creative, client-focused company. "The toughest part is that the stress level is always high," says one staffer.

ATMOSPHERE: Casual but professional. Employees say it is a "young, fun atmosphere," and the office is predominantly filled with twentysomethings. Workspaces are wide open--only the company president has an office. One staffer says this helps employees feel "like we're on an even playing field." But with no doors to shut, it's not the place for those who prefer solitude. Foos-ball enthusiasts welcome.

BENEFITS: Included are medical, dental (majority company paid) and 401(k). Company uses a paid-time-off pool, which includes vacation and sick time. For the first two years, employees get 16 days, plus one to celebrate their annual employment anniversary. From three to five years, employees receive 18 days; after five years they receive 23 days.

PERKS: This place is loaded with little luxuries: a company car for employees to use whenever they wish; monthly pizza lunches; a kitchen well stocked with snacks like fruit and yogurt and juices; doughnuts and bagels on Fridays, and an afternoon meeting with wine and beer. Employees also receive free movie tickets on their birthdays.

CHURN: The company had no voluntary turnover in 2001 and is "rapidly growing and hiring like crazy."

CHALLENGES: A spokesperson insists that the company likes to promote in. But realistically, because of its size, there isn't a whole lot of mobility.

A types be warned: "If you're looking to climb the corporate ladder quickly, you're not going to get that here," says one staffer.