The 2022 Best Small Firms to Work For: Stax

Client Industries Served: Software & Technology, Health Care, Business Services, Industrials, Consumer & Retail, and Education

Consulting Service Lines: Commercial Due Diligence, Value Creation and Growth Strategy, Exit Planning, and Data Analytics

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

When we started the firm, we looked at the business model of most strategy consulting firms and chose to build the firm with a better staffing model that leverages both individual strengths and teaming complimentary players together, and allows them to grow, rather than asking every person to be able to do all things. Bringing together talents and skills creates better results for clients, better quality of life, and happier consultants.

Our team has always looked out for colleagues, and even in the downturn, we stuck to our ethos of looking out for our people, and this means in work-life balance, in how we treat each other.

And our leadership team tracks utilization to ensure we're providing balance, in addition to making sure PTO is taken to support a more sustainable work-life balance.

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

I don't think it is one big thing, but a series of important things: opportunities to work directly with y with our leadership team, immediate client engagement, continuous fast-paced learning, to be able to contribute to firm growth.

It is a series of ensuring a variety of personal time, wellness, and access to resources whether for personal wellness, healthcare, or financial planning that are all realities of life, and areas where the organization can provide resources.

CMAG: What's unique about your firm? What sets it apart?

Access to great clients, working on issues critical to their business or investment decisions.

The chance to work directly with clients and be a lead earlier in your career than larger firms.

The chance to contribute to firm development and growth. To grow based on merits.

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

Internally, investing in talent development and the growth of our people.

CMAG: When you look at the remainder of this year and 2023, what excites you? What opportunities do you see in your future?

What excites me is the growth of our people, into the areas that excite them. The market opportunities are right in front of us – with a great client base across sectors, with many doors open for us, across our business lines. This means more opportunities for our people to reach out and take chances and grow faster.

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

It's great recognition for the firm, internally and externally. It recognizes externally how hard our management team has worked to take care of people over the years. Our clients will see this as another marker of Stax's strength as a partner over the long term.

CMAG: Thank you, and congratulations