Dave Cutler
General Manager, Technology Solutions
Slalom Consulting
Excellence in Technology
Back in 2008, Dave Cutler joined Slalom and started the firm's Chicago office by establishing a Technology Consulting Practice. Along with two other members, he helped grow the business to be one of Slalom's largest tech practices, and the Chicago office is now second in size only to Slalom's Seattle headquarters.
Last year, he took that practice to new heights, growing revenues from $11 million in 2010 to nearly $31 million—the highest performing technology practice within Slalom.
For his efforts, Cutler and his team were recognized, winning both the 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year Award for Online Services and the Microsoft Cloud Innovator Award for 2011.
Cutler, who brings nearly 20 years of technology and consulting experience to the table, says what he enjoys most about consulting is the opportunity he has "to work with great clients, to work with other consultants focused on excellent client service, and to deliver real solutions and value for our clients."
However, he says, the traditional consulting model doesn't always lend itself to building the best long-term partnerships between consultants and clients. One of the reasons he joined Slalom, he says, is that the firm was built to "do consulting right."
"At Slalom, I feel I have the opportunity to continue to define new ways to improve the consulting industry model," he says.
Last year, he was part of the team designed to help define how Slalom builds new offerings that help increase the quality and value of the work they bring to clients.
"Always do the right thing for the client even if it may not be the most profitable at the time," he says.
Cutler says Slalom's culture is a big part of what makes the firm so special, and co-workers often want to go out and be social outside of work. "To build an organization like that requires building a team of people with a shared vision and values focused on excellent client service," he says. "Everyone needs to understand the meaning of their contribution to their client's success and be dedicated to achieving that success. It also means building a culture of family."
Cutler says it is a "true honor to win the Top 25 award. Simply put, it is validation that what we are trying to do here at Slalom is working. We can change the industry for the better, and we can create a model that is better for consultants and our clients at the same time."
Q&A: What motivates you to excel?
"I am most motivated by the relationships with clients as well as with other consultants. One of my proudest accomplishments is the friendships I have built with clients and other colleagues. Some of my best friends are current or former clients that still reach out to me for advice and guidance or just for a lunch. Strong relationships with other consultants is equally important. It is very easy for relationships to be temporal from client to client in this industry."
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