The 2023 Best Firms to Work For: Impact Advisors

Client Industries Served: Health Care

Consulting Service Lines: Strategy, Operations Management and IT

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

Our unwavering commitment to five things: 1) Our uniquely special, genuinely caring workplace culture 2) Our agility in responding to industry demands 3) Our consistency in leadership effectiveness 4) Our frequent and transparent firm-wide communications 5) Our dedication to providing exceptional, high-quality results for our clients

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

Impact Advisors has many programs and initiatives that contribute to the overall success of the firm. When I think of the ones that contribute to Impact Advisors being a Best Firm to Work For, the programs that relate to our associate culture and commitment to client service come to mind.

From the start, our Recruiting team is focused on attracting and successfully onboarding talented individuals who bring the knowledge, experience, and skill needed to help us best serve our clients and build our internal talent. Most importantly, our Recruiting team seeks candidates who share a commitment to model our firm's shared values of Integrity, Motivation, Passionate, Agility, Caring and Talent.

Once onboarded, our associates receive an Impact Advisors "Swag Bag" that provides what we call "IA Bling," which translates to branded travel and work tools so that they start their first day set up for success. The warm welcome continues by the new associate attending an individual orientation to ensure they have all the knowledge and tools to get started. Within their first quarter of employment, new associates attend our Impact Ethos Orientation program, a day set aside to meet the leadership and operational team leaders of the firm, learn what it means to live our mission and values, be a part of our award-winning culture, and serve our clients in exceptional ways.

The attention to our associates happiness continues through our dedicated Coaching program, with individual coaches assigned to each associate, our annual performance reviews, and through "Happy Checks and VIP Calls" between the associates and our dedicated Happyologist. Throughout these programs, associates can provide direct feedback regarding what is helping them achieve success and what the firm can do to help them be their absolute best – professionally and personally!

Communication is a key focus of our culture – from monthly Town Hall calls to service line meetings, to project meetings, and team-building events. We strive to ensure our associates remain informed and engaged with all of the exciting happenings throughout the firm. A key part of that communication are messages of affirmation and appreciation. Our High Impact Award or "HIA" program allows any associate, for any reason, at any time, to express appreciation and recognition to their fellow associate for a job well done. The awarded employee receives a gift of appreciation.

The gift can be an item from their "Happy List" – a list of their favorite things they are asked to provide when they are first hired – or one of our many gift selections that often include our logo.

Our Best Firm to Work For culture is exemplified through the positive impact we create for those we serve – our clients. The dedication to excellent client service is highlighted through our unique Client Happyology program – a program designed to ensure our clients are highly-satisfied and that Impact Advisors is creating a positive impact on every project, every time. This program includes a Client Experience outreach by our Client Happyologist who proactively listens to our clients to learn ways we can continually enhance our service delivery. We also ensure our firm is performing at the highest quality through our Quality Assurance program that includes a review of our engagement progress, maturity, completeness and performance.

The greatest reflection of our culture, our quality, and our performance shines through during our annual Impact Palooza event. A time for our Impact Advisors associates and their invited guests to gather for a getaway retreat comprised of key leadership presentations, keynote speakers, celebrations, an announcement of our "Advisor of the Year" award, team building, fun, food, "firm family time," and so much more!

The dedication to our culture and client service makes Impact Advisors the Best Firm for the best talent to do their best work!

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

It is remarkable to reflect on all of the Culture Awards that have been provided over the past 14+ years. What is even more unique is observing the authenticity of our culture through the testimonials of our associates and the quotes our clients share about the exceptional service they receive.

When our associates talk about Impact Advisors, they are genuinely proud to be a part of our firm. Although we are all associates and colleagues, we call each other "Winners." It does not take long after joining Impact Advisors until you find yourself naturally saying "I am a Winner and I love working with all of the amazing Winners throughout our firm." No matter the level, the role, the team we work on, or how long we have worked for Impact Advisors, we are all Winners! This statement alone sets Impact Advisors apart, along with the feeling of knowing that you are surrounded by the best talent and enthusiasm in the industry for making a difference in health care. Together, we create a positive impact!

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

Most health care organizations are struggling with the need to improve margins and reduce expenses. Our priority is to raise awareness that Impact Advisors can help with these tough challenges, allowing our clients to continue to focus on delivering the important care needed in their communities. Our expertise in financial improvement consulting (we were ranked #1 Best in KLAS this year), patient- focused staffing, and clinical capacity management are just a few ways we can deliver relief for our clients.

CMAG: When you look at the remainder of this year and 2024, what excites you? What opportunities do you see in your markets?

The opportunity to advise our health care clients on how to best use automation and generative AI to improve their efficiencies across all areas – such as clinical, revenue cycle management and shared services – and allow their staff to focus on "top of license" activities while routine activities can be offloaded. Alongside this, helping health care organizations understand and navigate the distinct risks and challenges of utilizing AI within health care.

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

As a Firm, careful thought is placed into creating programs that will support a culture where our Winners can be their best selves and can provide exceptional service to our clients. While there is a science behind these programs, there is even more heart. To be recognized as a Best Firm to Work For validates the impact of these programs. The greatest affirmation that we are on the right path to sustaining a culture where our Winners can be their best and do their best work for our clients is through listening to their voice. Consulting magazine's Best Firms to Work For survey provides this opportunity.

To our Employees, being part of a Best Firm to Work For is exciting and a reason for celebration! We live and can feel that our culture is the "best" and love to tell our family, our friends, our colleagues and our clients all about it. This esteemed award is a source of pride for all Winners. It is also a great acknowledgment that helps to attract and retain the best and the brightest in the industry!

In the ever-changing and challenging landscape of health care, culture has never been more important to our Clients. Impact Advisors recognition as a Best Firm to Work For is validation that they are partnering with a firm who cares – and Associates, or Winners, who are cared for can serve their clients in the most impactful way – and that is what Impact Advisors is all about!