The 2020 Best Small Firms to Work For: Spaulding Ridge

Consulting Service Lines: Cloud IT Consulting and Advisory

Make it two years in a row on our Best Small Firms to Work For list for Chicago-headquartered Spaulding Ridge, who once again demonstrates that a commitment to core values pays dividends year after year.

"Being nominated for a second year in a row as a Best Small Firms to Work For validates the impact we have on the market, both with our clients and our people.  We've managed to stay among the industry's Best Small Firms to Work For by staying true to our values and the commitments made to our clients," says Spaulding Ridge CEO Jay Laabs.

One secret to its continued success on the culture front is the firm's unwavering commitment to its culture of community, which it says keeps talent focused and productive.

"Our robust culture celebrates community, diversity, and innovation. Every day our bandmates demonstrate our values through collaborating with and across our clients, teams, and communities," Laabs says.

A recurring challenge for firms like Spaulding Ridge who place culture among its most valued traits is ensuring any new hires embody the company's specific traits and values. This can make hiring and even growth a more deliberative process, but it's one that pays dividends, according to Laabs.

"We are deeply committed to our values, and we recognize that our firm might not be a fit for everyone. Once we are comfortable that a potential consultant shares our values, we determine if they are also a good technical fit. This approach is challenging when scaling with limited resources, but we believe this approach will lead to long term success for our people, the company, and our clients," he says.

Reading the tea leaves in a year like 2020 is difficult for even the best soothsayers out there, with many months of uncertainty ahead. Over the next 6-12 months, Spaulding Ridge, for its part, remains committed to maintaining its standard of high-quality service while also keeping its employees happy and safe.

"Our top priority is to continue to deliver high value for our clients during these challenging times. Given our rapid growth in the past year, new processes, geographic and service expansion, and continually evolving technology, we need to remember that our clients pay our bills and make this all possible. Over the next 6 to 12 months, we must keep our execution level high and focus on our client's ever-changing needs," says Laabs.

"Employee wellness will also be a top priority as we head into next year. Covid-19 isn't going away anytime soon. We are just as dedicated to our employees as we are to our clients, and we want to ensure we provide constant support to our teams as we continue to work from home."

As for what it means to be named a Best Small Firm to Work For in a year like no other, Laabs says it's validation of the firm's commitment to supporting both clients and employees.

"Being a Best Small Firm to Work For confirms that we are dedicated to our values and are transparent through all of our business with our clients and our partners. This type of recognition adds credibility to our offerings in a crowded market of small to medium consulting firms. It also shows that we are invested in our employees, and we will continually focus on making Spaulding Ridge a great place to work," Laabs says.

Consulting: When you look at the remainder of this year and 2021, what excites you? What opportunities do you see in your markets?  

Laabs: We cannot wait to get past Covid-19 and get back together with our teams.  We know this might take some time, so we are doing our best to invest in our remote culture.  In the market, digital transformation is accelerating at an unforeseen pace.  We are incredibly excited to continue helping our clients on their digital transformation journeys.  The platforms are improving dramatically, and we are already strategizing with our clients on how they can better leverage their existing technologies as they continue to evolve.