The 2024 Best Firms to Work For: SEI

CLIENT INDUSTRIES SERVED: Automotive and Transportation, Financial Services, Insurance, Professional Services, Construction/Real Estate, Government Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Retail and E-Commerce, Consumer Products, Health Care, Life Sciences, Supply Chain

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: AI and Technology, Concept to Delivery, Data and Analytics, Security, Strategy and Operations

SEI is a management consulting firm delivering fresh perspectives and reliable results. There's always a better way to do business — and we have 30 years of evidence to prove it. We help some of the world's most recognizable brands solve problems, create opportunities, and achieve more than they could alone. At SEI, we let the work do the talking. We deliver results without the overhead and flash that costs clients time and money. Instead, our national team creates no-nonsense solutions grounded in real-world perspectives and expertise. Because if we've learned anything since 1992, it's that great work that speaks for itself.

CMAG: What characteristics and elements would you attribute to your firm's inclusion as a Best Firm to Work For?

SEI takes pride on not being a traditional organization. We create a culture of accountability, transparency, and mutual respect. This leads to less hierarchy, fewer redundancies, and a lot more good work getting done. We focus on subject matter expertise in a wide range of industries and capabilities, have a proven record of project experience, and value ourselves on strong partnerships with our clients. Our employees are seasoned professionals and owners of the company who know that collaboration is key to sustainable growth and continued success. We are results driven, while providing flexibility and adaptability to even the most complex challenges. SEI has over 30 years of client satisfaction and retention, making us the ideal consulting firm you've never heard of.

CMAG: Are there any specific programs or initiatives that contributed to you being included as a Best Firm?

SEI knows that great work comes from great people, but not without the challenge of giving people the power to do their best. We aren't afraid to do that at SEI. We hire business minded individuals who thrive in a team environment where consistency and commitment are the norm. Our employees are treated like family, while taking pride in their surrounding communities to be a friendly face, not just another competitive colleague. At SEI, experience is a standard that allows our seasoned professionals to solve problems and unlock opportunities within an industry.

CMAG: In describing your firm, what would you say sets it apart from other consulting firms?

The key to success at SEI is our network of locally owned and managed firms, each managed by a team of great people delivering even greater results. We hire seasoned professionals, are employee-owned, maintain a flat management structure, and support a number of business and technology capabilities across a wide range of industries. There isn't one single ingredient that is key to our success, rather it's a recipe built on years of experience and excellence. We aren't a clients typical consulting firm, but rather their trusted partner.

CMAG: Where your workforce is concerned, what would you say your priorities look like for the upcoming year and beyond?

Our priorities for the upcoming year at SEI are to increase skill diversification, encourage employee health and wellbeing, continue to foster an inclusive and diverse culture, attract top talent, and creatively adapt to the ever -changing needs of the market. We don't need to reinvent the wheel at SEI, our foundation and results speak for themselves, but rather we need to always be equipped with the best of the best. Creating new goals in a supportive work environment will continue to foster the one of a kind company that we are.

CMAG: What opportunities do you see as the most promising?

At SEI, the most promising opportunities are continuing to build out our industry capabilities and invest in the growth and development of properly supporting their ever-changing needs. Understanding that the shift in the business landscape isn't looking for a one size fits all approach, but rather a focus on innovative and personalized insights.

CMAG: What market forces do you see as the most challenging?

There are many market forces that might pose upcoming challenges. One would be economic uncertainty and the outlook of competitive cost pressure. Being faced with rapid changes to technology and the security practices needed to maintain regulation and compliance would be another. You also have to look at the increase in competitors and demand for agile solutions, while balancing a client's focus on ROI.

CMAG: What impact do you think Best Firm to Work For honors will have on your employees? The firm overall? Clients?

Winning this award overall is an amazing accomplishment. It's a token of gratitude to our hard-working employees and their endless dedication to making SEI the best it can be. It will allow our employees to share their individual success as a collective effort and validate their talent and reputation. We aren't a consulting firm without clients. Winning this award will enhance our clients' perception of value and allow them to know they are in great hands with our firm. It will inspire continued partnerships and break open new doors for opportunity, knowing that the talent of SEI is top-notch. Ultimately, this award is a reward to every person who works for and with SEI. It solidifies our commitment to excellence and is an incredible honor to receive.