Most readers just see the end result; a company taking a coveted top spot on one of our lists. However, many of our participating organisations have spent years dedicating themselves to becoming a great employer.

One is the leading accountancy organisation KPMG, our Best Big Company to Work For in 2008. Dipping one place in 2007, KPMG regained the top spot this year, winning our most improved award. As part of its determination to succeed, the firm has consistently bought Best Companies data, and used it to upgrade, year on year.

“KPMG is a perfect best company. It has been in the process a long time, bought the data and actively tried to progress,” says Dr Pete Bradon, head of research at Best Companies Ltd. “Its initial improvement was slow and, occasionally, in some factors, it took a step back, but it persevered and — after three years on our list — you can see the benefits really kicking in.”

In the past five years, KPMG’s overall leadership score has improved by 11.7%. For the Giving Something Back category, the score has improved by 13.1% from 52.6% in 2003 to 65.7% in 2008. However, the firm’s Personal Growth factor score has achieved the largest percentage rise, rising 14.8% to 79.6% in 2008.

KPMG first entered the Best Companies to Work For list in 2003, and again in 2004, but failed to make the list both years. Many would have given up — especially as an outside organisation had confirmed they had not made the grade — but, says Nicola Greenway, European human resources senior manager, KPMG found not making the list quite instructive.

“This isn’t a quick fix, a lot of this is going back to basics and ensuring accountability and prioritising people development, as well as showing a clear link between performance and reward,” Greenway says. “It’s having the difficult conversations on the one hand, and celebrating success and saying thank you on the other.”

The perseverance and programmes introduced by KPMG finally paid off in 2005, when it debuted in third place on the first Best Big Companies to Work For list. The list doubled in size in 2006 and KPMG, having applied what it had learnt, was the winner.

However, it was not complacent. KPMG bought Best Companies data and added further policies to its already impressive employment practices. These included a “retaining talented women” programme, the creation of a faith and contemplation room for everyone, and an open forum for gay, lesbian and bisexual workers.

“The challenge was always to sharpen up, raise our game and continue to improve, which is the essence of our people agenda,” says Colin Cook, the chief executive officer.

Today KPMG has more than 12,000 employees and, according to Dave Conder, director of people strategy, the establishment of a culture based on egalitarian principles was supported by Best Companies data. “It makes business sense to have an environment that is inclusive, one that encourages and values difference,” Conder says.

This year, KPMG came first among the big organisations in the Personal Growth, My Manager and Fair Deal categories, and second for My Team and Giving Something Back. “The analysis can be quite specific, and buying the data is the whole point of entering the process in the first place,” Conder says. “Results show you where you are and how you can advance, and our scores have had to improve every year to keep us where we are.”

According to Greenway, the process is not about competition, it’s about people, best practice and identifying areas for improvement. “Few companies remain in the top five year on year,” she says. “To be in the top three for three years in a row is a great achievement.”

Explore Best 100 Companies

• Best 100 Tables