The 2020 Best Small Firms to Work For: Summus Group

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

Summus Group is a firm that does not view employees as rows on a spreadsheet or cogs in a machine. It thinks of itself more like a family, where employees care about, challenge, and support one another. It invests in its employees, knowing it wouldn't be the same company without them.

This year has put companies of all sizes to the test, and companies' have had to reorder their priorities during these unprecedented times.

"We've continued to focus on the things that matter most – our associates, our clients, and  our core values. We've worked hard to find creative ways to connect with associates and  clients in a virtual environment. For associates, we continue to engage our people with internal initiatives outside of billable work to ensure we stay connected," says Grayson Blair, Managing Director, Summus Group.

"For clients, we've  remained flexible and adaptable to changing work priorities and are even more proactive  with providing recommendations to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness."

Social distancing, working from home, and little to no client face time have all made 2020 a year for the consulting profession like no other. Through it all, Summus Group worked hard to keep up morale and ensure its people felt supported.

"Throughout this year, employee morale has been consistently high because we care about the well-being of our associates. Our senior leaders and managers go the extra mile to check in with associates and to connect outside of work hours. With associate satisfaction a big part of our corporate strategy, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring employees feel part of a team even while physically distanced," Blair says.

"Additionally, Summus Group has not furloughed, reduced pay, or deferred bonus dollars in 2020. In fact, we've grown nearly 50% YoY."

Looking ahead to brighter days, Summus Group sees its business model as an asset heading into the next 6-12 months and beyond, and says its workforce is well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

"The past year has been an incredibly difficult time for the world, from impacts to  personal lives to economic uncertainty stemming from COVID-19. The silver lining in  these difficult times for our business is that our associates and clients have banded  together more than ever, with common goals aligned to overcome the challenges we're  all living through," says Blair.

"Over the next 6-12 months, we feel our business model aligns well to  client needs on several fronts – our cost structure has always been lean compared to our  competition, we have a focused practice and industry model which is more relevant than  ever (e.g., Business & IT Transformation, Digital Change, Risk Advisory, Information  Security, and Modern Project Delivery)."

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

"Recognition in the Best Small Firm category is meaningful in the sense it helps validate the firm's strategies and tactics. Summus is a family. Sustaining and growing our culture is very important to the leadership team. We take care of our associates, and each other, so that we can take care of our clients.

For our employees, these awards bring joy and satisfaction knowing that the industry  recognizes the personal and professional sacrifices required to win an award like this.  Several teammates help chair internal committees like communications, knowledge  management, philanthropy, talent, and more. It's great to share this type of award with  those key individuals who put in the extra time."