2. Nurture The Culture

All employees should be able to define their company's core values in 10 words or less, Garner said. At IT Weapons, just two words are needed: integrity and expertise.

IT Weapons puts a lot of effort into ensuring all 85 to 100 of its employees appreciate one another. During the summer, the newest employee is paired with a veteran and tasked with meeting and handing out ice cream bars to everyone on the sales and services desks.

IT Weapons also sets time aside each week for employees to send emails with specific praise for colleagues, and the workforce is tasked each year with choosing its "Most Valuable Weapon" and "Rookie of the Year." The winners have a banner with the names raised atop the in-office hockey rink.