The Boston Consulting Group Leaps to Number Three on FORTUNE's '100 Best Companies to Work For' List

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - January 22, 2009) - The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has soared nearly to the top of FORTUNE's 2009 list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For," jumping eight spots to number three overall and retaining its first-place honors among smaller companies for the third straight year.

An emphasis on employee development, a collaborative culture, extensive training, and progressive benefits contributed to the strong performance -- the best among consulting firms for the fourth year in a row.

BCG is among those companies on this year's list with the best benefits and the highest pay (thirteenth overall). "But the rewards at Boston Consulting aren't purely financial," FORTUNE emphasized. "BCG considers itself an apprenticeship where senior consultants teach junior consultants and training is intensive at all levels. That's helpful, since the partnership track is well-defined." In addition, the magazine noted, 90 percent of BCG consultants who apply to MBA programs are accepted.

Other unusual benefits at BCG include three months of paid maternity leave and a bonus -- 15 percent of pay -- deposited in a retirement plan.

"At this time when we, like so many institutions, are necessarily focused on dealing with the short-term realities of the economic crisis, this is for us an important reaffirmation of those things that are key to driving ongoing, lasting success -- attracting great people and investing in an environment where they flourish," said Steve Gunby, BCG's chairman of North and South America.

For the purpose of the ranking, FORTUNE defines small companies as those with from 1,000 to 2,500 U.S. employees.

The full list and related stories appear in the February 2 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands January 26, and at http://www.fortune.com/bestcompanies.

To arrange an interview with BCG, please contact Dave Fondiller at 212 446-3257 or fondiller.david@bcg.com.

About FORTUNE's Methodology

To pick the "100 Best Companies to Work For," FORTUNE works with Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz of the Great Place to Work® Institute -- a global research and consulting firm with offices in 30 countries -- to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. More than 81,000 employees from 353 companies responded to the 57-question survey created by the Institute. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on the survey, which is sent to a minimum of 400 randomly selected employees. The remaining third is based on a company's responses to the Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed questions about demographics, pay and benefits, and open-ended questions on philosophy, communication, and more.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 66 offices in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.bcg.com.