Diversified guarantees clients who contact the firm that they will receive a response on the same day. It also gives staff unlimited leave, as well as every other Friday off.

The two goals — keeping clients and employees happy — don’t conflict, said Andrew Rosen, president of Diversified. In fact, they work hand-in-hand. Generous paid time off increases productivity.

“People work harder so they can take that time off and not feel guilty,” Rosen said. “You work harder when you’re engaged.”

The Wilmington, Delaware, registered investment advisory firm doesn’t micromanage its staff, Rosen said. It expects each of them to complete projects or hand them off in good shape to colleagues before they set the out-of-office reply on their email.

The flexible schedule helps employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. The firm’s caring culture for staff carries through to interactions with clients, Rosen said.

“They put clients on a pedestal and treat clients the way they should be treated,” he said. “It’s about prioritizing the job and the clients and making sure they’re satisfied.”

Diversified’s leave policy coincides with one of its core values: Have fun, get stuff done. Other cultural tenets include challenging the status quo and being accountable. Employees are recognized on a monthly and annual basis for demonstrating those values.

— Mark Schoeff Jr.