Last week, our company held its annual holiday party. It’s one of the highlights of our company social calendar, and this year’s party was a particular success. As I do each year, I made some remarks to the company and our guests, touching on the highlights of all that we accomplished over the past year.

When I prepare to speak in public, I am often reminded of a decades-old survey that reported that most Americans fear public speaking more than death!  While I will never be a “natural”, over the years I have gotten used to it and accept it as an important part of my job.

Something that I have found can be very helpful is a prop, and this year I had one. I’m very happy to say that 2015 was an enormously important year in the life of KCIC, for many reasons. As a result, the centerpiece of my remarks this year was KCIC’s “Recipe for Success”, inspired by a year that was anything but cookie-cutter.

Here it is, just as I shared it with our staff:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Cutting-edge, cloud-based technology platform

• 60 Consultants with expertise in business, finance, analysis and technology

• Immeasurable amounts of enthusiasm, flexibility and customer service

• Generous heapings of community “give back”

• A good dose of fun

Mix the first two ingredients, including our largest first-year recruiting class ever. Watch pot to retain same small company feel. Add remaining ingredients, one at a time. Top with “secret sauce” (below).

THE SECRET SAUCE:

Start with caring about every member of our company like family. Treat our clients like friends, and make solving their problems our calling. Build a base of strong organizational health. Combine clarity with functional leadership. Introduce flexible hours. Believe in ourselves, and never, ever, ever give up.

In a future post, I look forward to sharing more specifics about what made 2015 a milestone year for our company.