Don't mess with Cask's 'mojo.' That's the magic of mutual success and satisfaction that permeates everything the San Diego-based firm does, according to Cask's President Liz Guezzale. And to be able to make its debut on Consulting 's Best Small Firms to Work For list this year at No. 3, Cask must have plenty of mojo, and maybe some to spare.
There are many things that sets Cask apart from other small firms (a 3 percent turnover rate and an average of 16 years experience for its consultants, to name a few), but what really makes Cask stand out is the way the firm treats its own employees.
"Cask truly values our people beyond anything else," Guezzale says. "It takes intentional effort to create and maintain an environment where our associates enjoy coming to work." One way the firm walks the walk is through annual sales incentives trips—last year's trip was to Dublin.
Despite all its successes, Guezzale says she is focused on building the business the right way. "We are regularly approached by solution providers to become a value-added reseller or integrator/implementer as many in the consulting industry have done. That's not the kind of growth we're looking for as we stay focused on remaining a "small giant." That way, Cask's associates can "provide superior support for clients without worrying about corporate nonsense and politics," she says.
And those aren't just words. Each employee—and potential employee—is given a copy of the book Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big by Bo Burlingham. "We have intentionally built Cask to maintain a goal of being great at what we do, not just growing," she says. "Too many firms get that backwards, thinking that by growing, you become great."
—J.K.
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