The 2020 Best Small Firms to Work For: Health Data Movers

Consulting Service Lines: IT

Health Data Movers' mission is to improve the lives of patients and providers by unleashing the potential of healthcare data and technology. The firm strives for its mission, vision, and values to be the focal point of its work and interactions.

This year has brought unprecedented challenges for consulting firms. For Stanford, N.C.-based Health Data Movers (HDM), keeping laser-focused on its goals and values helped the firm keep its True North during the worst of the crisis.

"Our mission is to improve the lives of patients and providers by unleashing the potential of healthcare data and technology. At HDM we concentrate on our company's values including clear communication, data-driven decision making, agility and flexibility, collaboration, and inclusiveness. We work to apply HDM's mission and values into our relationships with coworkers and clients on a daily basis," says HDM Human Resources Specialist Ashleigh Brinkman.

As for specific programs or initiatives that helped cement the firm's status as a Best Small Firm to Work For in 2020, Brinkman says transparency and communication are two key factors.

"HDM promotes a positive environment for our team members. We advocate an open-door feedback policy. We encourage open discussions with our management team and partners. We conduct weekly touch base calls to make sure consultants never feel isolated. We also have weekly team calls where we promote team building, sharing gratitude, and nominating co-workers that instill our values into their everyday lives."

Another obstacle put in place by the pandemic was how to maintain strong firm culture in the era of remote work and social distancing. With many of its staff working remotely pre-pandemic, HDM had a leg-up on how to adjust to the rapid change.

"At HDM we are a very fun, energetic, close-knit group. We have a strong sense of community and friendship within our team. Prior to the pandemic, the majority of our team was already working in a remote capacity. While there have been some adjustments (most consultants are no longer going onsite and our account managers are not currently traveling to client locations) we have a good foundation in place for these unprecedented times," Brinkman says.

"Our ability to adapt to this new normal coupled with our ability to leverage technology while bringing a human element to our work has enabled us to stay engaged with our clients and thrive as a business."

It's always hard to read the tea leaves, but that's especially true in 2020. Even so, HDM is dialed-in to what will be needed over the next 6-12 months to continue its forward momentum.

"Our top priority is to focus on client and team member satisfaction as we grow and expand over the next 12 months. From an HR perspective, we want to focus on our onboarding process and overall consultant satisfaction. We have some exciting new processes we will be implementing over the next year to ensure onboarding at HDM is easy and effortless. We will also continue to implement different techniques to ensure that HDM is one of the most sought after consulting firms to work for and that our consultants truly feel like they are a part of HDM," says Brinkman.

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

Brinkman: Important accolades like Best Small Firm to Work For provides our team validation and engenders respect in the industry. We make it clear to our employees that honors like this only come about because of their hard work and dedication. In addition, clients love working with positive and driven consultants, which this award reflects. It shows our clients that we are lucky enough to work with some of the industry's top talent and that hopefully, that talent will stick with HDM!