Partners employ teamwork in consulting effort

To build a winning team. That's the simple, straightforward corporate philosophy of Raymond James Consulting, a Denver-based information technology firm.

It's carried the firm from its birth in 1992 to its place today as a highly recognized source for integrated management and technology consulting.

Carl Fitch and Brad Weydert worked together for a competitor when they realized they "had a better idea and wanted to try it." The two wanted to combine management consulting with technical systems integration, services seldom found together in one company.

Fitch said to get an integrated solution, business would have to go to many companies for many solutions. From the hardware to the software to the training, many hands would be involved in the project. Fitch and Weydert wanted to find a different way. "Our goal was to provide one-stop shopping," Fitch said.

The teamwork philosophy is not only required within RJC, but is required of clients as well. "You have to have a good consultant team, but you also need to build relationships with clients," Fitch said. "Teamwork forces the client to have an active role," he said ."The only thing that matters is the client's success."

Weydert, who has played baseball all his life, believes the teamwork concept is a very simple, but precise philosophy. "It's the way any team sport is," He said. "No one wants an individual who doesn't care about the rest of the team."

From the receptionist at the front desk on up, "let's work with the client and make a winning team," Weydert said. While he enjoys the common sense and nostalgia associated with the baseball/teamwork theme, Weydert says clients appreciate the philosophy as well. To make it successful, Weydert said RJC will even go so far as to work with its competitors to put together the best team for the client.

It's not lost on the founders of RJC that the company's inception came at the same time as that of the Colorado Rockies. "It was an incredibly exciting time," Weydert said, "with everything hitting at the same time." Success found both teams along the way.

"We surpassed my five-year plan in the first six months," said Fitch. The company's first-year revenues of $1 million turned to $2 million in 1993, $10 million in 1994, and $16.4 million in 1995.

RJC has recently found alliance with Staffing Resources Inc. of Dallas. SRI, with 63 offices around the country, is a regional leader in the staffing industry. Fitch said the allegiance will not only infuse capital into RJC, but will also give the company access to new clients in new markets. Now, under the wing of SRI, Raymond James will maintain its Denver office and open new quarters in Phoenix, Dallas and Kansas City.

Along with success comes the need for qualified employees. "I could hire 20 people a month," Fitch said. But RJC isn't looking for just anyone to be a part of its team. "A customer service philosophy is the most important thing to me; 70% to 80% of success in consulting is attitude," Fitch said. Because of that, prospective employees have, on average, five interviews with RJC before hiring.

Fitch said he is looking for management and senior technical consultants. Employees at RJC have an average of eight years experience, but the company is requiring at least five. "We don't hire right out of school," Fitch said.

Tony Bengston, the director of staffing at RJC, said the company could fill 60 slots right now. "We have more opportunities than we could possibly fill, " Bengston said. He said the present hiring focus is on senior management consultants.

Bengston said RJC offers above-market salary, offering both hourly and salaried positions with a comprehensive benefits package.

"Raymond James Consulting has a great company culture with low turnover. It's an opportunity to have fun and keep a sense of humor," Bengston said.