Projects typically last from one day to six months. One example is the recent installation of Kronos, a package that was purchased and installed after assessing business needs from users, evaluating vendors and writing a request for proposals, executing a project plan for installation, delivering training, support and assessment. The rollout of Oracle across the company was a more extensive project that has been in progress for one and a half years and links multiple processes under one software umbrella. In addition, individual divisions implement advanced technology suites appropriate for their facilities, such as Berkline's recent adoption of the Synapse Manufacturing tool from Integrated Business Systems & Services to automate its unique make-to-order manufacturing and shipping processes.

Staff members work in private cubicles and shared and private offices. Dress is business formal. Official hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Technical staff members typically work between 40 and 50 hours a week. Travel requirements range, depending on the position. Network support personnel travel about 10 percent of the time.

Benefits include free coffee and sodas and a subsidized cafeteria. Employees are entitled to discounts on furniture. There is a formal Christmas luncheon, but the high point (no pun intended) of the year, is the semi-annual furniture show, a celebration with luncheons and dinners during which the company hosts 100,000 people looking at the company's new lines.

There have been no layoffs in the Information Technology division. There is no turnover.

In 1996, Masco's President separated the furniture companies from Masco in a leveraged buyout and took it private, creating Life Style Furnishings. Masco (NYSE: MAS), the $6.3B former parent company headquartered in Taylor, Michigan, continues with its kitchen cabinet and bathroom fixtures business, The companies collected under the Life Style Furnishings family of brands now include 145 facilities and 23 million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space in North America, Asia, and Europe. Its chief competitors are Furniture Brands, and La-Z-Boy.

Last year, Life Style hired 15 technical professionals. Half were for entry-level positions. The company looks for professionals experienced in its technical tools and an aggressive interest in the furniture business. As Best puts it," Education is not a top priority, but proven experience and the communication skills to describe how technology is going to help implement business needs is critical." The company has an intern program, and typically finds its entry-level professionals here or through its college-recruiting program at schools like High Point University, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest. Entry-level candidates should have a 3.3 Grade Point Average and a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree. Candidates putting themselves through college may not need as high a GPA. Experienced professionals are found through personal contacts, employee referrals (there is no bonus), online recruiting (monster.com), and, occasionally, employment agencies. The company expects to hire from 10 to 15 technical professionals in the next year.