# The DNA of corporate excellence: what the new edition of the "Lugares Mais Incríveis para Trabalhar" ranking reveals

The FIA survey assesses organizational climate, leadership and people management practices at the companies that set the standard in Brazil.

- Section: Culture & Management
- Published: November 9, 2026
- Address: https://ceoone.com.br/en/article/the-dna-of-corporate-excellence-what-the-new-edition-of-the-lugares-mais
- Em português: https://ceoone.com.br/artigo/o-dna-da-excelencia-corporativa-o-que-revela-a-nova-edicao-do-ranking-.md

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## Key points

- The Lugares Mais Incríveis para Trabalhar (Most Amazing Places to Work) survey by the Fundação Instituto de Administração (FIA) assesses organizational climate and people management at large, medium-sized and small companies.
- To make the ranking, a company needs a minimum sample of respondents, minimum scores on the i-GP and i-CO indexes and an audit by specialists hired by FIA.
- Highlights include Aperam Bioenergia, Seguros Unimed and Samarco among large companies, Kordsa and Sebrae PR among medium-sized ones and Sebrae/RN and Sicoob Credical among small ones, plus special categories such as gender equity, inclusion and ESG.

What makes a company truly magnetic for talent goes far beyond a competitive pay and benefits package. In today's business ecosystem, the strength of an employer brand lies in the quality of the work environment, in the transparency of the relationship between managers and teams, and in well-established, people-centered practices that value each individual. This cultural map is exactly what the prestigious Lugares Mais Incríveis para Trabalhar (Most Amazing Places to Work) survey, developed by the Fundação Instituto de Administração (FIA), helps decode by rigorously assessing organizational climate and people management policies at companies of all sizes in Brazil.

Strategically divided into Large companies (more than 1,500 employees), Medium-sized companies (301 to 1,500 employees) and Small companies (fewer than 300 employees), the ranking works as an X-ray of the organizations that put human capital at the center of their strategy. To make this elite list, the methodology sets demanding criteria: a company must reach a minimum sample of respondents proportional to its headcount, achieve minimum scores on both the People Management Index (i-GP) and the Organizational Climate Index (i-CO), and undergo a rigorous audit by specialists hired by FIA.

Beyond crowning the overall winners in each category (a lineup that spans giants of agribusiness, healthcare services, technology and retail), the awards highlight key sector leaders. Segments that are crucial to the Brazilian economy take the spotlight by proving that strong market performance can go hand in hand with a healthy, collaborative and stimulating internal environment. A close look at the data shows that success in modern people management is not limited by a company's size, but depends on how consistently the values stated on paper are lived out every day in its hallways and offices.

One of the high points of FIA's methodology is its set of special categories, which track vital trends in today's corporate world. Sensitive areas such as gender equity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, racial respect, environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives, and a focus on learning and innovation each receive dedicated awards. This shows that the companies professionals most want to work for today are those able to align their business goals with genuine social impact, ensuring workplaces that are safe, diverse and psychologically supportive.

For professionals who follow the market and for leaders looking for inspiration, the results of this edition reinforce an undeniable lesson: retaining talent and building a lasting corporate reputation require active listening and constant evolution. The companies named among the most amazing in the country show that investing in Employee Experience is the only sustainable way to turn internal climate into an unassailable competitive advantage.

## At a glance: key highlights by category

Below is a summary of some of the leading names in the ranking across the size categories and in this edition's sector and special highlights:

| Category / segment | Main highlights / companies | Main sector / focus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Large companies (top examples) | Aperam Bioenergia, Seguros Unimed, Samarco, Grupo Sabin, Instituto de Pesquisas Eldorado | Agribusiness, Banking and Financial Services, Mining, Healthcare Services, Technology |
| Medium-sized companies (top examples) | Kordsa, Sebrae PR, Bem Brasil Alimentos, Unimed Amparo, Sisprime do Brasil | Diversified Industries, Education, Food and Beverages, Healthcare Services, Banking and Financial Services |
| Small companies (top examples) | Sebrae/RN, Sicoob Credical, Ema Sistemas, Construtora Bordignon | Education, Banking and Financial Services, Technology and Computing, Commerce |
| Sector highlights | Aperam Bioenergia, Bem Brasil Alimentos, Seguros Unimed, Construtora Bordignon | Agribusiness, Food and Beverages, Banking and Financial Services, Commerce |
| Special categories | Nestlé, Instituto de Pesquisas Eldorado, Siemens Energy, Bradesco, Itaú Unibanco, Paschoalotto, Lojas Renner, Vivo, Unimed CNI, Seguros Unimed | Highlights in Career, Learning, Innovation, Well-Being, Gender Equity, Inclusion, Racial Respect, ESG, Communication and Leadership |

## Sources and editorial notes

- O Estado de S. Paulo: Negócios&Transformação section / Estadão Blue Studio: "Lugares Mais Incríveis para Trabalhar (FIA) - O Ranking" (November 7, 2026 edition).
- Fundação Instituto de Administração (FIA): Methodology data, pre-qualification criteria, auditing and categorization of the climate and people management survey (2026).

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