What they did: The temporary-staffing industry has boomed in the recession. But many agencies spend a fortune because they continually have to recruit new temps -- their best workers leave once they find a place where they can make more money. Atrium's epiphany? Pay benefits. The New York firm has a 401(k) plan, for example, and there's a corporate-style medical plan for workers once they log 1,100 hours. Founder and CEO Rebecca Cenni, 42, says the company, which has seven other offices in cities like Boston and San Francisco, had revenue of $100 million last year, is profitable, and expects sales to jump at least 15% this year. One of her favorite sayings: "Turnover is like having a flat tire. It takes time to fix it."
