Booz Allen Hamilton, now in its second year after the spin off if its commercial business, hasn't missed a beat. The McLean, Va.-based firm continues to rack up impressive numbers year-in and year-out on Consulting's annual Best Firms to Work For survey.
"Booz Allen Hamilton's stated commitment is to be the best management and technology consulting firm," says Jimmy Henry, executive vice president of Booz Allen Hamilton. "We know we can achieve that only if we are the employer of choice for the best people. That is why Booz Allen furthers the accomplishments of its people through challenging work experiences, ongoing learning opportunities, and the chance to make a difference."
Henry says the Best Firms to Work For award is particularly satisfying because "in a 'people business' what better compliment could there be? We did not seek this recognition as a firm—our people pursued it—so this selection shows that our staff—over 23,000 strong, share positive values and a dedication to excellence in everything they do," he says. "We provide an open and diverse proving ground for our people to help clients solve their most complex problems and achieve mission success."
Booz Allen leadership has a firm hold on what makes it such a special place to work, Henry says. "In our most recent employee survey, which we launched at the beginning of 2010, 90 percent of respondents indicated they are proud to work at Booz Allen and 89 percent said they would recommend the firm to others," Henry says.
"People have pride in the firm and the work they do. Our staff are optimistic, yet realistic, in their outlooks. They see the value and impact of their work, and are committed to helping our federal government clients address pressing problems affecting our nation. Approximately half of our new hires are from employee referrals, which also is an indicator of employee job satisfaction."
Henry says Booz Allen has a long-term perspective and is always focused on the future of the firm and its clients. "We're not interested in the fad or 'flavors of the month,' and this institutional perspective helps us make decisions differently," he says. "The best people have a lot of choices when it comes to where they want to work. And if they've made the decision to stay and contribute to the success of your firm, it's because your value proposition makes them want to stay."
Q&A with Jimmy Henry
On the survey, Booz Allen Hamilton excelled in the areas of Career Development and Culture. We asked Jimmy Henry, executive vice president at Booz Allen, why he thought the firm scored so high in these areas.
Career Development
We teach our staff what the consulting craft is truly about using a "hands on" apprenticeship model. Booz Allen offers employees the opportunity to build a career and define success in terms that fulfill their professional aspirations and accommodate their personal circumstances. We offer our staff well-defined career paths, a wide array of tools and programs to actively manage their growth, and a training program so effective that it was inducted into Training magazine's Hall of Fame. In 2009, 73 percent of our 23,000-plus employees took advantage of Booz Allen's internal education and training courses. For a professional services firm like Booz Allen, a commitment to developing innovative ideas and embracing the latest technologies is paramount. For example, we began building cyber-capabilities years ago, and we've established our own Cyber University.
Culture
Almost every company talks about its culture, but in a firm approaching its 100th year, culture is a defining attribute. Booz Allen people are inspired by a career with diverse and challenging assignments, engaging colleagues, exceptional opportunities for professional growth and achievement, and the satisfaction that comes from making a difference—for our communities, for our nation, and for our environment. We conduct business with uncompromising integrity, adhering to the highest ethical standards as individuals and as an institution, guided by our 10 Core Values: client service, diversity, excellence, entrepreneurship, teamwork, professionalism, fairness, integrity, respect, and trust. These core values are at the foundation of our culture, and are institutionalized in our firm.
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