Honored
Leader: Dan Hoffman, President and CEO
Company Name: M5 Networks
Location: New York, N.Y.
Nature of Business: Hosted VoIP phone system provider
Founded: 2000
Revenue: $8 million
Growth Rate (2005): 53 percent
Number of Employees: 53
Average Tenure: 2.64 years
M5 Networks is one of America's leading Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers for small and midsized businesses. Assuming leadership in 2001, a year after the company was founded, Dan Hoffman established a main core value of trustworthiness for his 70 employees. This culture of trustworthiness breaks down into four attributes: sincerity, competence, reliability and focus. Every month M5 employees identified for exceptional exhibition of these behaviors are recognized and the best examples are rewarded with the "Trustworthiness Award" and a prize. Following this recognition meeting, M5 employees celebrate the month's achievements with musical instruments in a late-night jam session. M5's best musicians comprise the company band, the "M5 Six." Whether it's the exceptional benefits, including a telecommuting option, or the amazingly open, caring environment Hoffman has created, employees agree that Hoffman is personable, approachable and an amazing visionary.