Sapient Corporation
Headquarters: Cambridge, MA
Locations: 15
Think of Sapient as a pool on a hot day.
"You can't be successful and you won't be fulfilled if you merely dip your toe in the water," says Kyle Bettigole, a 37-year-old director who joined the firm four years ago. "Sapient requires that you fully immerse yourself in the organization in terms of passion, effort, and a desire to make a profound impact on the lives of your clients and colleagues alike."
The firm, which has offices on three continents, offers stimulating projects in a highly collaborative and team-based environment. Yet, everyone has an opportunity to be a leader. The firm's value on having client impact has real meaning here, Sapient respondents say. Individual compensation is tied to client feedback and satisfaction.
"This drives our consultants to truly focus on doing what is right for our client," says Ron Harris, a 43-year-old director. "I know, at the end of the day, that any decision I make in delivering a project will be supported all the way up the chain if I can explain why it is the right thing to do for the client. And I know that I will never be asked to sell or do something that is not right for the client."
Promotions are given out biannually. All individuals are expected to be leaders, and individual growth is fostered in the context of team goals, says a 29-year-old consultant who recently joined the firm. "'Leadership expected of all' means that there is less structure in which to operate, evidenced by the fact that no one really has a boss. This can be unnerving to those who are used to operating in a more structured environment."
The workload can be heavy and the hours can be long, but employees say that work/life balance is possible. New consultants get three weeks of vacation, and four weeks after three years of employment. But one handy benefit is that everyone is entitled to 24 hours of paid "Small Necessities Family Leave" to meet obligations such as attending a child's school play or taking an elderly relative to the doctor. Other perks: Employees are reimbursed $500 every three years for the purchase of computer equipment, and after six months of employment get up to $6,000 annually for tuition reimbursement.
One core element to Sapient's culture is the stress on openness, honesty, and giving feedback to improve individual and company performance, consultants say. "There is a huge emphasis on thinking things through and providing context around a situation so that we can make good decisions based on a complete picture," says Helena Kwon, 30, a manager based in the firm's Washington, DC, office. "The culture is strong on teaching and communicating."
Sapient's co-CEOs are accessible and not only open to hearing other opinions, but also ask for them. In addition, everyone receives at least one extended 360-degree feedback, which includes input from teammates, peers, and managers.
The culture is unique, and if consultants learn it and respect it, they will change how they work, says a principal who joined the firm 14 years ago. "Not making the effort to understand it will leave you alienated."
Far from feeling left out, outspoken individuals may think that they have found heaven. "In five years, I've never been told that I've offended someone with my bluntness," says a 36-year-old manager.
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