Our Story: We Build Trust through Collaboration

The most successful companies know that building trusted relationships is the key to continued growth and success. Productive collaboration with our clients (and with each other internally) leads to long-term success. At Arc Aspicio, we build long-term, collaborative relationships with our client that allows us to work with clients at all levels of Government develop and implement innovative solutions to address mission-critical challenges.

One of our very valued long-term relationships is with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The story begins in 2008, when we won our first contract with FEMA, which was also our first prime contract. Since then, we have worked on more than 50 distinct projects at the agency – at the senior level and hands-on in specific programs throughout the organization. “FEMA Flexible” is a phrase we know well!

As the result of our first project, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized Arc Aspicio with the prestigious Small Business Achievement Award and we were thrilled. Since then, we have worked in every mission area at FEMA and in all regions with their leaders, employees, and stakeholders. When we supported the FEMA Regional Office Review, we interviewed 165 FEMA leaders from across mission areas and all 10 regions; emergency management leaders from 38 states, 31 tribal nations, and 5 territories; and representatives from 15 partner agencies and organizations, generating tremendous buy-in from across the whole community. We engaged more than 100 FEMA leaders in interactive workshops that enabled the agency to co-create actionable solutions for strengthening its Regional Offices.

Our work supporting in their national continuity mission managing the continuity for the entire Executive Branch and providing emergency alerts for weather disasters and terrorist incidents and Amber alerts for law enforcement has also been a rewarding and long-term partnership. Our people love the mission and projects! The relationships that we built and our extensive knowledge of the FEMA mission that results from it increases trust in our partnership and significantly reduces risk on projects by reducing the learning curve and helping FEMA unify its efforts. As we build relationships with people across FEMA in different mission areas, we stay in contact. The ability to go back to a colleague for their opinion or expertise is a big asset – trust matters!

By applying our innovation methods and connecting FEMA internally and with other agencies, we have delivered a wide range of complex consulting services in management, strategy, data analysis, Design Thinking, and information technology (IT). Our 22 IT projects at FEMA include data and enterprise analytics, strategic foresight, data governance, application development, and classified network implementation. Do what you say you are going to do and complete it when you say you will complete it sounds simple enough, but is a major factor in building trust. We consistently achieve our goals and produce our deliverables ahead of schedule, further strengthening the trust that FEMA has in our teams. Our extensive knowledge of FEMA’s IT landscape, current systems, and architecture challenge helps us understand the clear direction needed for IT modernization plans and necessary IT innovations.

Our long-standing collaboration helps us consistently deliver innovative solutions and our mission knowledge has led to this trusted partnership at FEMA, similar to clients at other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. With great collaboration and consistent delivery of high-quality solutions, our clients trust us, which allows us to be more innovative and to take more calculated risks.

This story’s happy ending doesn’t end here. As we help FEMA look to adapt (and shape) future trends in emergency management in the next 20 years, make data-based decisions, support new mission areas, and transform technology, we look forward to continue building and maintaining trust with our clients.

About Arc Aspicio
Arc Aspicio is a management, strategy, and technology consulting firm that takes a mission-oriented approach to complex client challenges. As a rapidly growing company, Arc Aspicio has a bold strategy for 2016-2018 that drives growth through new capabilities in strategy, design, human capital, data analytics, information sharing, cybersecurity, and strategic communications. The company is known for a strong, collaborative culture that values gratitude – for its clients and its great team. And, #welovedogs! Follow us on Twitter @arcaspicio or learn more at www.arcaspicio.com