The 2021 Best Small Firms to Work For: Spinnaker Consulting Group

Client Industries Served: Financial Services

Consulting Service Lines: Strategy and Operations Management

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

It starts with a mindset of being people first: We truly care about our clients and consultants. It's that attention to the who – consultants with deep hands-on experience and a results-oriented approach – that's challenging the category, driving top-notch talent and clients who are looking for a better way. When you bring a team like that together, you're more likely to find pragmatic solutions that ultimately leave clients better and stronger than where they started.

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

I look at this bi-directionally: we need to be bringing the right people in – leaders and subject matter experts from the banking industry – who align with the culture we're fostering, a sort of humble confidence that drives our team to roll up their sleeves when a job needs doing. That confidence is only bolstered by a firm-wide understanding that we're only going to go after work where we truly believe we're the best fit for the job, thus setting us up to exceed expectations (which we view as table stakes).

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

Our people, and their depth of relevant, industry-specific experience, is what sets Spinnaker apart. Looking across our team, everyone has at least 10 years of relevant experience, most have more. They've spent decades in the trenches of Top 30 banks, solving for many of the same issues our clients are up against now. They know firsthand what our client partners are experiencing and can provide pragmatic insight to help them navigate the nuances of their organization.

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

To date, we've been extremely intentional about bringing the right team members on board, finding the intersection of the right skills with the right disposition. We're doubling down on that as we grow, staying true to the culture we've built, as that can easily be diluted with an expanding, largely remote team. One big cultural element is adopting a learner mentality and continually expanding our knowledge base to meet changing industry needs. We require that everyone – myself included – complete a minimum of 40 hours each year, a full week because we believe that's the level of investment required to be the best partner to our clients and serve the needs of the team.

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

Most management consulting firms operate in practice-centered silos, and yet more and more, today's banking environment requires cross-functional expertise and solutions. Our team is made up of experts from different fields – regulatory compliance and machine learning experts, for example – who share a passion for solving complex client challenges. As I look at our pipeline, I see more of these needs surfacing and I'm excited about the product and consulting opportunities that could come from bringing together diverse yet symbiotic perspectives.

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

Our team has worked in some of the largest financial services organizations, so in coming to a small business, they see and feel the impact of their work on a near-daily basis. Being recognized as one of the industry's best small firms to work for reinforces that we're doing the right thing by focusing on people. When you place this award next to placements on the Inc. 5000, which we've landed on for the past 3 years, it shows the team and prospective team members that the right behaviors can lead to smart, sustainable growth.