The 2020 Best Firms to Work For: North Highland

Consulting Service Lines: Strategy, Operations, Management, HR, IT, Finance, Marketing

Atlanta-headquartered North Highland has been a mainstay on Consulting Magazine's Best Firms to Work For list over the years, this year landing in the #15 spot. Challenges in the profession are nothing new, but 2020 was a test of firms' resiliency like nothing we've seen before. Through it all, North Highland leaned into the challenge, renewing its people-first commitment.

"I'm proud of how we adapted quickly to this new way of life. It wasn't easy, and it took resilience, commitment, flexibility, caring for each other and focus on our people and our clients. It's been tremendous to see that a pandemic has not stopped us from building powerful relationships with new and existing clients. At North Highland, it's engrained in our DNA that people come first – whether or not we can connect face-to-face. That shines through in the work we do, and the solutions we create," says Dan Reardon, CEO and Chairman, North Highland.

The firm is also doubling down on its commitment to evolve with the times, spearheading a focused strategy that will see the firm approach problem-solving through a diversity and inclusion lens, not just internally, but also with suppliers, procurements, and vendor spend as well.

"Throughout our offices, we are having the difficult conversations to enact change and we've made progress in our efforts toward becoming a more inclusive and diverse firm," Reardon says.

North Highland encourages its people to speak their minds, and commits to an environment of openness when it comes to how firm decisions are made.

"Even when facing difficult decisions, our goal is to be transparent in our decision-making process, and employees have appreciated this direct approach. There is a sense that we're all in this together, and that's created a feeling of belonging and camaraderie, even in a very challenging year," says Reardon.

Facing a year full of uncertainty, it's more difficult than normal to project outwards 6-12 months, not knowing if things will have returned to normal by then. But North Highland is using this time as an opportunity to build upon its strengths and ensure it's prepared to weather what comes next.

"[We're] continuing to build and strengthen our position as a leading change and transformation consulting firm. That takes effort, every day: we need to continue to build deep expertise and take a collaborative, action-oriented approach. To be effective, we have to be an even better place to learn – quickly. We've invested tremendous attention to making sure our people are able to develop deep skills and capability, and I'm very proud of that," Reardon says.

"If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that we need to continue to stretch our agile muscles as a firm so we are flexible, resilient and proactive in even the most volatile environments."

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

Reardon: It's a tremendous honor because it points to something vital: the commitment we have to our employees and clients. Together, we make change happen by working as one team, building lasting relationships and delivering real results. People are proud to work for a recognized Best Firm, and you can see the passion shine through in our client work. This recognition is a testament to our values at North Highland and our dedication to our people, communities and clients.