A friend emailed recently with a request. Did I know of any possible candidates for two open positions at her employer, Sterling-Rice Group, a small brand strategy consulting firm? Positions range from Senior Innovation Consultant to Art Director to Information Technology Intern.

My friend has been there just six months, returning to work after having a baby. What struck me was how she described the work and the company:

"The work is very exciting and gratifying. Furthermore, (and maybe more importantly) the culture of the company is collegial, fun, flexible, and respectful."

I decided to check out the website.

What I found interesting:

• The company had in their News section an announcement about 4 employees being promoted, with a short bio of each person. When was the last time your company talked about you on their website? 

• The About Us section has a concise story of how the company was founded, including a great image of beginning in a "small office over a Chinese restaurant…with two two orange plastic chairs, a telephone, and a set of beliefs." They are clear about how they are different from other brand strategy consultants–combining rigorous methodology learned from large consumer goods companies with the "gut instinct, imagination, and speed" of small entreprenurial firms.

• In the Beliefs section, they have a nice set of words that most companies would want to believe in.  But what set this apart was what they say they do with the beliefs: "[E]ach year, the company sets its strategy only after auditing, both clients and our own people, how well we are living up to our beliefs." 

Some companies talk a good story.  A friend of mine who teaches at the University of Colorado’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications had praise for this company as well, having interacted with them and seeing several former students take positions there.  From all accounts, this sounds like a small, great company to work for.