The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security – 2008 were selected for excellence in their employee benefit programs despite a difficult economy. Now, The Principal is offering a free best practices guide that examines what those companies did right. The guide, "The Formula for Success," talks to 10 small and medium-sized companies recognized for excellent employee benefits in 2008 to find out how they balance a strong benefits program with the need to cut costs.

"In a challenging environment like this, it is refreshing to showcase the good things happening in companies today," said Renee Schaaf, vice president, the Principal Financial Group, sponsor of the national recognition program. "The Principal 10 Best companies are working hard to stand by their employees. They understand how they treat their employees during tough times will impact their ability to keep and attract great employees when the economy turns around."

The guide is available at www.principal.com/bestguide, and highlights best practices used by The Principal 10 Best Companies:

• A benchmarking chart to compare benefits with those of The Principal 10 Best Companies and national averages;
• Interactive checklists to help companies fine-tune their benefits programs;
• Case studies that describe how The Principal 10 Best Companies overcame the universal challenges faced by employers

For more information on the individual winners, visit www.principal.com/10best.