Company spotlight: PA Consulting Group

 Ivy Exec recently interviewed Chris Steel, US country head for PA Consulting Group.  PA Consulting Group is an independent and employee-owned consulting firm, comprised of over 2,000 people specializing in management and IT consulting, technology and innovation. They operate globally from offices across Europe, the Nordics, the United States, the Gulf and Asia Pacific and have been in business for over 70 years.  

Ivy Exec: In which area of your company do you expect the most growth over the next 12 to 18 months?

Chris Steel: We expect to see most growth in the Energy and Healthcare verticals.   We also see significant potential for a number of important services lines such as cyber-security, our work in technology and device development and our shared services and sourcing advisory business.

IE: What changes and challenges do you think your company and industry will see in the next 5 years?

Chris: Our clients expect more from their consulting partners every year in terms of the quality of advice, insight and delivery assurance we bring.  The increasing pace of change means that the half-life of the knowledge and insight we bring is becoming ever shorter, and we need to work harder to keep our edge so we can make a difference.

IE: What attracted you to PA Consulting Group?

Chris: Our strong “one company” global culture.  Our focus on helping our clients with their most challenging problems, enabling them in the process rather than making them dependent on us.    Our employee ownership model – PA belongs to all of us who work here.

IE: What three words best describe your culture?

Chris: Collaborative, Meritocratic, Fun.

IE: What are the two best perks that employees get at your company?

Chris: The learning opportunity from and with colleagues and clients; PA stock (employee-owned firm).

IE: Which leadership qualities best ensure success at PA Consulting Group?

Chris: Don’t be a victim. Those who realize early that they are able to take accountability for their own careers and those of others within PA will flourish. Leadership by example – there are no sinecures and very little hierarchy – PA feels “flat” – everyone is judged primarily by how well they support their clients. Support for others – we grow the majority of our best leaders from within, and our leaders at all levels invest significant time on coaching and developing others.

IE: What are your hiring plans in the coming year?

Chris: Both organic and in-organic (small teams rather than large acquisitions) in our key areas of focus.  Profitable growth is important to us.

IE: What gets you excited about going to work each day?

Chris: The variety of the challenges we help our clients with.   A good day is one in which I learn something new, and I rarely have one when I don’t.  Much of that comes down to the great people I work with, which of course is another reason to enjoy coming into the office.  Many of them I have now worked with for over 10 years; they are great friends, and we have grown and learned together in the “University” of PA Consulting!

IE: Who has been the most influential person that has helped you become successful in life other than your parents or relatives?

Chris: There have many important influences in my life; one of the earliest would be back in my high school days when I found that I was struggling with math in one of my classes.  I switched classes to one where I knew I had a better rapport with the teacher and found that I was able to quickly move ahead.  This taught me about the positive results that one can get by putting the right people together in the right situations.  I have put that concept to work throughout my career and found it to be very helpful.

IE: Do current administration policies affect growth in the HC and energy sectors?

Chris: The current administration’s policies have had a clear and well documented impact on the healthcare sector.  The election this fall will have a further impact dependent on the outcome, but in many respects the healthcare train has left the station.  Both payers and providers will continue to move towards a rewards system based on quality of care and the management of population health.  In order to better manage risk and gain control in this environment, providers and payers are becoming ever more closely integrated whether through acquisition, partnerships or accountable care organizations (ACOs).  In effect, this is the integrated health plan / provider model that has been serving healthcare organizations such as Kaiser Permanente so well over many years.

IE: Do you think the level of consulting competency has improved or declined since you joined the profession?

Chris: It has improved.  In the past our clients used to use consulting support both for demanding new project work but often also for operational roles.  Nowadays, the focus is very much more on the most challenging opportunities and problems, which is where it should be and where our people want it to be.

IE: How many times per day do you check email?

Chris: I’m a communications junkie, to be honest, in the sense that I like to be able to access my email wherever and whenever I want.   It gives me personal freedom and also more control of what I do, and when and where I do it.

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