The 2024 Best Small Firms to Work For: Deecon Consulting

CLIENT INDUSTRIES SERVED: 75

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: Procurement, Programme Management, Commercial Management, Dispute Resolution and Transformation

Deecon Consulting is an independent management and business consultancy specializing in procurement, program management, commercial management, and dispute resolution services, alongside research and transformation projects. We possess professional service experience with construction, telecommunications, and Public Sector clients. In the last four years, we have successfully delivered over 75 projects to our clients, including managing multi-billion-pound tenders and have worked with over 350 suppliers. Deecon offers a unique blend of experience, intellectual capital, and proprietary software tools through a multidisciplinary cadre of personnel that are highly skilled, adaptable, and efficient. Collaboration combined with sustainable solutions yield exceptional results for our clients. CMAG: What characteristics and elements would you attribute to your firm's inclusion as a Best Firm to Work For?

At Deecon Consulting we ensure diversity and inclusion (D&I) are at the heart of our business by promoting this internally and as a client-facing business. Internally we ensure D&I through our just and equitable employment practices. We ensure that our staff and any contractors we use are paid a competitive salary which is based on merit and regularly carry out payment reviews to ensure we are continuing to exceed industry standards. CMAG: Are there any specific programs or initiatives that contributed to you being included as a Best Firm?

We have a designated HR representative who is responsible for ensuring D&I is promoted throughout the company and through our employment figures. Our Head of HR has ensured that our policies are supportive of D&I and has introduced new measures to promote wellbeing and mental health awareness. Through this two of our Senior Consultants have undertaken paid Mental Health First Aider training which has helped to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure we spot the signs of declining mental health.

D&I are also at the heart of Deecon through the internships we provide. We have conducted paid Business Analyst internships which are a great way to increase the inclusivity of the consulting sector and allow young people an insight into what we do.

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

Deecon Consulting holds a firm commitment to providing exemplary customer service by surpassing expectations and prioritizing our clients' needs. Our ethos revolves around delivering tailored solutions in a dynamic way which is rooted in our Deecon DNA. Our main focus has been on delivering excellence to our clients and we are continuously looking to expand these opportunities across our six service lines. We have been previously recognized for this, with a Senior Consultant being named as an honoree by Consulting Magazine for their 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting – Excellence in Client Service category alongside making the top 20 of the Best Small Firms to work for.

Communication and collaboration are vital to our client-centric strategy. Deecon encourages regular internal and external touchpoints with clients to provide updates on project progress. We issue weekly reports to clients to foster an environment where they feel empowered to voice concerns and pose questions throughout the project journey. These foundations enable us to cater to clients' diverse needs. CMAG: Where your workforce is concerned, what would you say your priorities look like for the upcoming year and beyond?

At Deecon, our employees make our business so the attraction, retention and nurturing of our talent is paramount. We recognize talent comes in diverse forms; Our interview process includes a mixed panel to eliminate any unconscious bias and we have visa sponsorship in place for international students. This means we have a diverse demographic which makes for an innovative, inclusive, and creative environment. The skills and aptitudes are assessed during interview stage. Once identified as a fit for our business a tailored onboarding program is created including a mentorship which continues through the employee's whole life cycle. With ongoing feedback and support the individuals are equipped with the resources to thrive. With a yearly performance process, we align the employee's career goals with the mission and vision of Deecon. As well as the above the benefits we have a number of benefits such as private health care, mental health pathway and additional leave. We record our demographic data so we can analyze, review and plan for gaps/future talent. CMAG: What opportunities do you see as the most promising?

I have actually written several articles on procurement and supply chain which are published through the company's website and LinkedIn to expand our reach to other industry professionals and stakeholders. In one article, I wrote about the potential of block chain to revolutionize the procurement industry. Block chain is a distributed ledger technology that can be used to create secure and transparent supply chains, and improvement procurement processes such as the use of smart contracts. In general, I believe that block chain has the potential to reduce fraud, improve efficiency, and increase transparency in procurement. In another article, I wrote about the importance of increasing SME participation in supply chains. SMEs are the backbone of the economy, and they play an important role in supply chains. However, SMEs often face challenges in participating in large supply chains. I believe that procurement teams can play a role in supporting SMEs by creating more opportunities for them to participate in supply chains.

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

Our vision for the sourcing industry is the incorporation of new technologies such as block chain and artificial intelligence. We believe that the sourcing industry is on the cusp of a major transformation, driven by new technologies such as block chain and artificial intelligence. We see a future where sourcing is more strategic, collaborative, and sustainable. We also recognize the promise that block chain-based innovations hold, with a wide array of applications expected in the future within the procurement and supply chain management space. Through increased trust, transparency and traceability, this technology has the potential to improve both business relationships and operational performance to drive down the cost of purchasing. CMAG: What impact do you think Best Firm to Work For honors will have on your employees? The firm overall? Clients?

Receiving "Best Firm to Work For" honors significantly boosts employee morale, fostering a sense of pride and belonging within the team. It validates the positive workplace culture and reinforces the firm's commitment to employee well-being, leading to increased motivation and retention. For the firm overall, it enhances reputation, attracting top talent and potential clients who value strong organizational culture. Clients benefit as well, as happy, engaged employees are more likely to deliver high-quality work, driving better outcomes. This recognition ultimately strengthens the firm's brand and reinforces its position as a leader in the consulting industry.