In this field, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a company's learning function is an ASTD BEST Award.

The BEST Awards are presented annually to organizations that use training and development to drive impact and achieve business goals and objectives. These organizations have a culture of learning that is supported throughout the organization, from the C-suite to the newest employees. Leaders recognize that commitment to employee development can have real bottom-line results, and many partner with the learning function to achieve those outcomes. "I have learned that nothing is more important than investing in and developing our people," says UPS Chief Operating Officer David Abney. "We have to satisfy our customers. We have to satisfy our investors. The way we do that is by investing in our people and they take care of the results."

Indeed, what is noteworthy among the 2013 BEST winners is that training and development initiatives clearly focus on the line of sight from customer needs and expectations to business strategy and business goals. Regardless of industry or workforce size, these BEST winners exemplify how learning can be a strategic partner that drives performance and profitability. From fast food to financial services and from hospitality to healthcare, the 28 companies that earned the 2013 ASTD BEST Award have a culture of and commitment to learning that benefits the employees and the customers they serve.

BEST Award-winning organizations capture that honor by being effective across a range of areas, always looking for ways to improve results, and demonstrating that their efforts deliver results. In the eyes of the review committee, that clearly makes them the BEST.

1. Cognizant Technology Solutions

2. BB&T

3. Savvis, A CenturyLink Company

4. Nemours

5. DenizBank

6. Hilton Worldwide

7. Mindtree Limited

8. Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

9. Cerner Corporation

10. Quanta Computer Inc.

11. BMO Financial Group

12. UPS

13. Ryan, LLC

14. Nuance Communications, Inc.

15. Cigna Corporation

16. TELUS

17. PPD

18. Health Care Service Corporation

19. OptumRx

20. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd

21. ESL Federal Credit Union

22. USAA

23. University Health System

24. Valvoline Instant Oil Change

25. INFOSYS LTD

26. Clarkston Consulting

27. SunTrust Banks, Inc.

28. Zaxby's Franchising, Inc.