The 2021 Best Firms to Work For: Centric Consulting

Client Industries Served: Insurance, healthcare, energy & utilities, financial services, government

Consulting Service Lines: Strategy and IT

CMAG: How would you say you've managed to stay among the industry's Best Large Firms to Work For amid these unprecedented times?

Several aspects of Centric's business model helped us remain resilient during the pandemic. We've been a remote company from the start. Throughout our two-decade history, we've become experts at operating remotely while also having a great culture and providing unmatched client service. So when the pandemic hit, we didn't skip a beat. Secondly, we've always valued transparency. During the pandemic, we provided full transparency regarding how the company was handling the pandemic's many challenges, and we invited employees to help us overcome hurdles. We also strongly believe loyalty works both ways. Throughout our 20-year history, we've navigated two recessions and now a global pandemic without having to do layoffs.

CMAG: Were there any specific programs or initiatives (internal or external) that contributed to you being a Best Large Firm to Work For?

Having an exceptional culture has always been the core of our success. We invest the same care into maintaining and evolving our culture as we put into our business strategy. As Centric started to grow, we worried our growth might cause our culture to deteriorate, so we designed a few programs to help our culture scale alongside the business. For example, every new employee goes through a culture curriculum taught by senior leaders. Similarly, new leaders receive training not just on leadership skills but also on how to lead in a way that aligns with our value system and culture. Whenever we make key company decisions, we get employee perspectives through our Voice of the Employee team, which is made up of employees of all levels and backgrounds. This past year, when it became clear that we could improve our diversity and inclusion, a group of employees created Centric Together. Centric Together now includes more than 100 employees, is fully backed by Centric leadership and is our top company-wide initiative for 2021.

CMAG: What is unique about your firm? What sets it apart?

Our core purpose is to create unmatched experiences for clients and employees. This can take many forms, from taking on extra work when a colleague is struggling, going above and beyond in supporting clients, forming deep relationships, or simply doing something unexpected. For example, a Centric employee once quickly stepped in when the gate guard at a client site disappeared. She not only worked the guard shack while the problem was being solved, but she also left her personal cell number on the gate window for drivers to call when they arrived. Our dedication to unmatched experiences results in happier, more fulfilled and empowered employees. It fosters creativity, strengthens our culture, and keeps our clients front and center.

CMAG: What's the top priority over the next 6 to 12 months?

Every company has been forced to go through a digital transformation post-pandemic. This has caused a huge spike in demand for tech talent, and now a talent war in the marketplace. We're focused on developing, attracting, and retaining new tech talent in part through policies that support flexibility both for employees and freelancers.

CMAG: When you look at the remainder of this year and 2022, what excites you? What opportunities do you see in your markets?

The business world has changed forever post-Covid. The pandemic forced companies to adopt digital channels and digitize their business to support remote work. All companies will need to continue going through a digital transformation to survive. We are leveraging our expertise as a 20-year remote company to help firms navigate what is next, whether that's launching a hybrid workplace strategy, digitizing customer experiences, digitizing processes or transitioning to the cloud.

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

Centric's name comes from a singular focus on employee and client happiness. This provides validation that we are doing the right things as we scale to continue to deliver on that goal.