#38 Akoo International
The best kinds of offices make it easy to succeed. Benefits, a comfortable environment, a flexible schedule, and plenty of support all encourage employees to dedicate themselves to their jobs. At the offices of network developer Akoo, these elements are what it's all about. With 50% of the office made up of Gen Yers, it's officially a sweet spot.
"It's a fun and generous work environment," says VP and COO Colleen Egan. "We have free healthcare, free food, competitive salaries--that's all enticing." Indeed, Akoo provides 100% PPO healthcare coverage for its employees. In two years, they haven't lost one employee.
Egan says that what makes Akoo a unique workplace is the nature of the work itself. "We're a relevant company that is doing something that nobody else is doing," she says. "Our design and our music delivery tool are very unique. There are always new issues to be tackled, so there's lot of creative thinking."
Of course, the company provides its people with the tools to make this new technology happen. "We always get the technology and software that we ask for," says Graphic Designer Lucy Hewett. "There is no waiting period. They've provided me with access to a ton of new software. I'm a print designer, but I also get to collaborate on video and interactive and I'm getting that experience without class training--it's hands on."
Rachel Adams, an On-Site Marketing Manager at Akoo, says her job is made easier by the people she works with. "The most unique piece is the team. I cannot speak highly enough about them, from top to bottom." The team fits so well, they often see each other outside of the office. "We go to brunch on the weekends. We're all so close. I can't think of one co-worker who I wouldn't want to go get a beer with. They're some of my best friends."
By crafting an environment that fosters good vibes, Akoo is able to tackle its new frontier. "It's always fun to work for a start up," says Hewett. "We're making the rules up as we go along."
