ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) has been named #1 in the 2014 North America Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders(®) study. IBM is the first company to earn this recognition three consecutive times, and this year is the fifth time IBM has been named #1 since the study's inception in 2001. In addition, IBM was ranked #2 in the 2014 Global Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study.

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Conducted since 2001, the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study is a comprehensive, longitudinal analysis of talent management and leadership practices of organizations around the world. This year's leaders were selected and ranked by an expert panel of independent judges. The criteria included strength of leadership practices and culture, examples of leader development on a global scale, alignment of business and leadership strategy, company reputation, and business and financial performance.

"At IBM, we are passionate about driving innovation and value to help our clients -- and our company -- rapidly transform," said Diane Gherson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, IBM. "That requires creative, agile, committed global teams and leaders. We are focused every day on developing leaders who can engage, motivate and inspire IBMers, our most valuable asset, to do their best work and deliver exceptional results in a world of constant change."

Visit www.aon.com/topcompanies-winners for the full list of Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders.

About the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders Study

With more than 1,500 data points and more than 300 executive interviews, the 2014 Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study is the most comprehensive, global research on leadership in the market, examining the link between leadership practices and financial results. This study explores how organizations assess, select, develop, and reward leaders, and examines the execution of leadership practices, as well as the strategy that guides it. To learn more about this study, please visit www.aon.com/topcompanies.

Contact:
Laurie Friedman, IBM
914 499 4608
laurie1@us.ibm.com

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SOURCE IBM