XL.net is Named One of Chicago's Best IT Companies to Work For®
XL.net was recognized by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) in the Chicago program for 2025 as one of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For®. The program looks at things like communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, and recognition. It compares each company to similar companies in the Chicago market.
| “This award reflects the work our people do for each other every day. We built XL.net so team members could grow, feel heard, and serve clients at a high level. I’m proud to accept it for our team.” – Timothy Schmitt, Chief Growth Officer, XL.net |
While this is all well and great for our employees, what does it mean for your business? We are proud of this achievement, but we also understand that you want to know why this makes us a great IT partner for your needs.
In this article, an Chicago IT firm explains what this award means, who qualifies, why XL.net stands out, and why this recognition makes XL.net a strong IT partner for your business.
What Do The Awards For Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For® Represent?
The Best & Brightest program is run by the National Association for Business Resources. It is meant to highlight employers that invest in people, training, and retention, not only perks. Employers are scored against regional data, so the winners reflect the Chicago market.
NABR reviews multiple HR categories. These include communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity and inclusion, recognition, and retention. Companies that perform well across these areas are honored.
The program does not endorse the business services of the winners. It recognizes their employment practices and their ability to create a supportive workplace.
What Sort of Companies Qualify as One of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For®?
Companies must be operating in the Chicago area and must submit to the NABR assessment. The assessment includes an employer survey and an employee survey. These surveys look for real engagement, growth paths, and leadership access.
Companies that rank well tend to have structured processes for training, recognition, and performance. They also tend to have good communication rhythms and clear KPIs. Those are the things that keep scores high when employees respond to the surveys.
What Makes XL.net One of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For®?
| NABR Qualification Category | How XL.net Meets the Standard (Based on Employee Reviews) |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Employee Solutions | Offers competitive pay, transparent compensation structures, and strong benefits that employees describe as generous and fair. |
| Creative Wellness and Well-being Solutions | Provides company-funded access to mental health professionals and promotes a supportive, wellness-focused culture. |
| Employee Enrichment, Engagement, and Retention | Holds regular one-on-one meetings, monthly team events, and engagement check-ins to maintain connection and retention. |
| Employee Education and Development | Encourages staff to pursue certifications and professional growth, fully supporting training costs and skill advancement. |
| Recruitment and Selection | Hires high-performing, collaborative team members described as “A-players” who value teamwork and accountability. |
| Employee Achievement and Recognition | Runs internal contests, recognition programs, and feedback loops to reward performance and build morale. |
| Communication and Shared Vision | Uses clear communication channels across Slack, Zoom, and email, supported by active, responsive leadership. |
| Civility and Inclusion (Diversity) | Maintains strong scores for equality, diversity, and inclusion, reflecting a respectful and inclusive workplace culture. |
| Work-Life Balance | Operates as a remote-first company, giving employees flexibility, autonomy, and better integration between work and life. |
| Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility | Promotes engagement and volunteerism through flexible work models that support community involvement. |
| Leadership, Strategy, and Company Performance | Leadership listens to employee feedback, acts on survey results, and provides a clear strategic direction for the company. |
Why Should You Use One of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For® as Your IT Partner?
Compensation, Benefits, and Employee Solutions
Choosing a partner that invests in competitive compensation and employee solutions means you work with a stable, motivated team. That leads to fewer disruptions in your account and better continuity of service.
Creative Wellness and Well-Being Solutions
A partner that supports employee wellness is more likely to have less turnover and fewer surprise staffing changes. For you, that means less time lost to onboarding new technicians and more consistent delivery.
Employee Enrichment, Engagement, and Retention
When the IT provider actively engages and retains its workforce, you gain from institutional knowledge. The same people support you over time rather than handing off your work repeatedly to new faces.
Employee Education and Development
Partners that build ongoing training and certifications for their staff keep their technical skills sharp. For you, the outcome is faster problem resolution, up-to-date technology practices, and higher service quality.
Recruitment and Selection
An IT provider with strong recruiting and selection practices tends to hire capable and committed staff from the start. That means fewer mismatches in service roles and more reliable performance on your projects.
Employee Achievement and Recognition
Recognition of achievements within the provider’s team boosts morale and accountability. You benefit when high-performing staff stick around and are motivated to excel for your business. In fact, companies with such a program have a 31% lower turnover rate than those that do not.
Communication and Shared Vision
A partner that prioritizes communication internally is more likely to communicate well externally. You’ll receive clearer status updates, proactive alerts, and a transparent working relationship.
Civility and Inclusion (Diversity)
A diverse and inclusive workplace often brings broader perspectives and better problem-solving. For you, this translates into innovative solutions and staff who reflect the varied needs of your users and business.
Work-Life Balance
A provider that respects balance for its employees is less likely to burn out its staff. For you, that means fewer service desk escalations, predictable availability, and a more reliable support partner. 91% of surveyed employees say that unmanageable expectations negatively affect their performance. When you choose a recognized IT partner, that type of performance risk is not an issue.
Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility
IT partners that participate in community and corporate responsibility efforts often model integrity and accountability. When you rely on such a partner, you gain confidence that they operate ethically and with long-term thinking.
Leadership, Strategy, and Company Performance
Sound leadership means the partner has a clear strategy, stable operations, and growth potential. For you as a client, it means the provider is less likely to disappear or be distracted by internal chaos, and more likely to align with your long-term IT objectives.
Trusted IT Company in Chicago Invites You to Contact One of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For® Today
53% of American adults say that how a company treats employees influences how likely they are to engage with that company. These adults include business owners seeking outsourced IT partners.
If you’re one of them, you’ve found a great IT company that you can trust! If you’re not, the benefits list above should make it clear why you should choose one of Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For®!
Contact our trusted IT company in Chicago to experience award-winning service built on reliability, expertise, and a strong company culture.
