Top-performing companies start engaging employees from the minute they show up on the first day.

Only around a third of American employees are engaged in their jobs. Given the proven links between employee engagement and financial outcomes, this low level of engagement is a drag on the U.S. economy. Imagine the positive -- even dramatic -- impact on the country's economic prospects if companies could double the number of their engaged employees.

This is hardly a pipe dream. Gallup sees substantial increases in employee engagement all the time. Many of Gallup's clients, large and small, are already boosting their engagement levels or are well on their way. The median engagement level among all of Gallup's clients is 47%, and it's even higher among the company's best clients. These companies have an average of 70% of engaged employees and boast nine engaged employees for every actively disengaged employee -- a ratio that is more than five times the national average.