The 2018 Best Firms to Work For: L.E.K. Consulting

Consulting Service Lines:  Strategy

After a one-year hiatus in 2017, L.E.K. Consulting is back as one of the Best Firms to Work For again this year. In fact, it settles in the same exact spot—No. 11— it was back in 2016. 

 "This is an exciting time for L.E.K. Over the past seven years we have doubled in size, added important new capabilities and opened several new offices," says Stuart Jackson, Global Managing Partner, L.E.K Consulting. "Being recognized as one of the best firms helps reinforce the remarkable trajectory of the firm to our staff and is certainly a point of pride for all of us."

And for the clients, the recognition is meaningful as well, Jackson says. "We have more credibility as an advisory firm when we've been recognized ourselves as being an employer of choice." 

And Jackson says a central part of the firm's strategy is being a home for top talent in the consulting industry. 

"This is what enables us to compete effectively against larger generalist firms and deliver game-changing insights that lead to practical results with real impact for our clients," he says. "Being a home for top talent starts with the partners and other leaders of our firm who have the greatest influence with clients and on our staff. But the principle also extends to every level of our firm."

On the survey, the firm excelled in the area of Client Engagement, which speaks to the "nature of the work we do and a distinctive culture where everyone is invested in taking ownership of our clients' success," he says. "Our projects are strategic and therefore critical to our clients' agendas. Since the work matters so much, and because of the impact the project can have on our clients' strategy and profitability, clients will generally be very engaged with our team."

Jackson says the firm is on pace for another year of exceeding our revenue targets. "We are energized by the expansion opportunities in emerging markets, as well as capitalizing on our strengths in sectors such as healthcare & life sciences, industrials, and retail & consumer," he says. 

"We intend to continue our growth trajectory across all regions, but especially in some of our smaller offices. We'll do this by building on our three largest sectors—healthcare, retail & consumer, and industrials—but also by building on some of our emerging sectors, like education."

How would you describe morale at your firm? 

Jackson: "I'll be quite open with you—for many of the young graduates we recruit, working at L.E.K. can come as quite a shock. The pace of work to meet client expectations, the demands for extraordinary quality and the need to focus on what helps our clients rather than what is most interesting can be a big adjustment from life at college or business school. Generally, in the second year and beyond, morale improves as people get more comfortable in the role and have opportunities to add value through more advanced insights and contributions. By the end of their third year with us, and even more so when they look back years later almost all our staff recognize that L.E.K. has been an extraordinary learning experience, initiating a fast-track career."