In every sector, Michigan leaders are working together to offer economic development incentives and programs that strengthen and nourish the state's business climate. Michigan's Next Great Companies program is an economic development initiative focused on both attracting and growing companies with great workplace cultures. Michigan Next Great Companies is designed to be a portal for businesses to find helpful information that can aid their pursuit of a better corporate culture. Listed below are a number of links that can assist your business reach its potential or be recognized for the work being put into evolving a positive workplace. If you know of other resources not listed that you think would be helpful to other Michigan companies.

The lawyers at Andrews Kurth might carry 10-gallon briefcases in lieu of cowboy hats. A leading Texas law firm, Andrews Kurth maintains seven offices in the US (including four in the Lone Star State) and two more overseas. Overall, the firm has more than 400 lawyers. Andrews Kurth is prominent in corporate securities and energy work and has established itself in the international arena. Additional practice areas include bankruptcy, environmental law, labor issues, litigation, and real estate. Real answers, clear vision and mutual respect permeate the firm’s success stories with clients, colleagues, communities and employees. Andrews Kurth embraces diversity and inclusion as a business imperative and an ethical responsibility. We strive to be a leader in the legal profession by building a high-performance team of diverse individuals to create a positive experience for our clients and our firm community.

York Solutions is an IT staffing firm that was established 1989, and is headquartered in Westchester, Illinois. Over the last decade, we have twice been included on Inc. Magazine's Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in America list, and annual sales have surpassed $20 million since 2007. We provide IT staffing services for contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire engagements nationwide. Currently we have several other locations throughout the United States.

Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, founded in 1997, has become one of the nation's premier law firms. Today, with over 200 lawyers practicing in offices across the country, we regularly serve as lead counsel in the most significant and highest profile disputes in the world. While best known for landmark cases such as United States v. Microsoft, Bush v. Gore, and In re Vitamins, we represent some of the largest and most sophisticated organizations in the world when the results matter most. In less than a decade, we have won and saved our clients billions of dollars in trials, arbitrations, and settlements. We have been described by The Wall Street Journal as a "national litigation pow­er­­house" and by the National Law Journal as "unafraid to venture into controversial" and "high risk" matters.

The British Precast Concrete Federation (BPCF) is the trade association of precast concrete manufacturers. The main aims of the federation are to promote precast concrete in the construction market and to disseminate information, through a range of industry representation and by shared knowledge, to add value to its member companies. The BPCF is represented on relevant BSI committees and provides UK delegates to the CEN committees dealing with precast concrete products. They are uniquely qualified to represent the views of members and report back with current information on the progress and changes to product standards and test methods.

Global Orient Asia orients global clients to the Asian marketplace. The firm's multi-lingual staff helps provide companies in Australasia, Europe, and North America entree into Asian markets, particularly China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Industry specializations include media, technology, and telecommunications. Its Business Concierge operation provides "on the ground" business development and sourcing. Through its Strategic Advisory business, Global Orient helps start-up companies find funding, and provides them with business planning and restructuring advisory services. Global Orient Asia Ltd. company was founded in 2002 by Peter Heavyside.

Established in 1981, the management consulting firm offers a variety of services including the recruitment of interim and permanent managers for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and health care companies. Based in the UK, the firm also provides contingency recruitment with a five-working-day turnaround. It can provide staff for long-term, short-term, or transitional needs. The company's other consulting services include business planning, process realignment, systems implementation, and market entry. Its clients have included such notable names as Baxter, Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and Innovex.

Ideal Innovations is a perfectionist when it comes to sharing new ideas with government agencies and private organizations. The fast-growing company specializes in offering consulting in scientific, managerial, security, and technological fields. Services areas include research and development, training, forensics, and armor systems for vehicles and personnel. Ideal Innovations operates from offices in Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as in Afghanistan and Iraq. CEO Bob Kocher established the company in 1998 in order to provide technical consulting related to the health and safety of military personnel and US civilians.

Administaff, Inc., a professional employer organization, provides various personnel management services in the United States. Its services include benefits and payroll administration, health and workers’ compensation insurance programs, personnel records management, employer liability management, employee recruiting and selection, employee performance management, and employee training and development services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company also involves in drafting and reviewing personnel policies and employee handbooks; designing job descriptions; performing prospective employee screening and background investigations; designing performance appraisal processes and forms; professional development and issues-oriented training; employee counseling; substance abuse awareness training; drug testing; outplacement services; and compensation guidance. In addition, it provides employer liability management services comprising first time and ongoing safety-related risk management reviews, and implementation of safety programs designed to reduce workers’ compensation claims, as well as guidance to clients for avoiding liability claims for discrimination, sexual harassment, and civil rights violations; and participation in termination decisions to attempt to minimize liability on those grounds. Further, the company operates employee service center, a Web-based interactive PEO service delivery platform, which provides automated, personalized PEO content and services, as well as an e-commerce portal that brings a range of product and service offerings to its clients, worksite employees, and their families; and HRTools.com, an online Web site for human resources products, services, and information. Administaff, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Kingwood, Texas.

Garden State Fire & Security has served New Jersey residents and business owners for over 40 years. Established in 1969 by Eugene B. Ash and passed down to his son Michael A. Ash in 1996, Garden State Fire & Security maintains a commitment to excellence. Our focus is always on the customer and their security needs. Garden State Fire & Security Alarm installs burglar and fire alarm systems for residential and commercial customers in -- you guessed it -- New Jersey. The company specializes in the installation of systems made by GE Security. Alarm monitoring services are provided by a contractor. Garden State Fire & Security Alarm was founded in 1969 by Eugene Ash, father of company president and owner Michael Ash.

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