The 2020 Best Firms to Work For: AlixPartners

Consulting Service Lines: All

Facing unprecedented pandemic-related challenges, AlixPartners has evolved to a hybrid model of work combining client-site visits, office work, and working from home. Its goal is to optimize this hybrid model so that clients continue to receive the highest levels of service and results, while its people benefit from the highest levels of safety and flexibility.

"We have added new benefits and support systems to help our people in these difficult times and provided the tools and training to allow our people to remain highly productive and resilient while working remotely," says AlixPartners CEO Simon Freakley.

"We have learned to collaborate efficiently without getting on an airplane, and colleagues have made the time to reach out to each other to check in and stay connected. With the support of the firm and colleagues, our people have risen to the challenges which is very rewarding."

One of the things that sets AlixPartners apart, Freakley says, is that it was built to help clients in "when it really matters" situations, and that the pandemic gave the firm the opportunity to deliver on that.

"It is in our DNA to deal with the most difficult and urgent issues – and we have applied that approach both internally in supporting our people during Covid-19, and externally in supporting our clients. Our culture is built on being Values Based, Client Focused and People Centric. These principles have served us especially well in these unprecedented times."

As a firm accustomed to working with companies going through "new and unusual" challenges, AlixPartners sees the current disruptive environment as a situation where it can really do some good.

"We were built to help companies manage through disruption, and we are seeing great demand from clients going forward. Challenging times are exciting times and our people thrive in doing important work when the stakes are high," says Freakley.

Over the next 6-12 months, Freakley says AlixPartners will continue to prioritize the health and safety of its employees while continuing to meet and exceed client expectations. Freakley acknowledges there are more challenges ahead, but says the firm is determined to learn from the current crisis and emerge even better.

"We are taking positive action to adopt the best learnings from Covid-19, creating a model of work that delivers better results for clients and higher satisfaction for our people."

Consulting: What impact do you think being a Best Firm to Work For has on the firm? Employees? Clients? 

Freakley: Being People Centric is a key principal for us. Recognition as a Best Firm to Work For is an indicator that we are on the right path in this journey. It affirms that our people recognize our efforts in this area and motivates us to continue. And we believe it is a virtuous cycle. By attracting, developing, and retaining the best people, we can deliver the best results for our clients. Our clients recognize this, and it is one of reasons they rely on us in the most challenging times.