Virginia firms make up almost 10 percent of Inc. 500
Virginia Business
Forty-eight Virginia firms landed in Inc. magazine's annual list of the fastest-growing companies for 2010.
To Build a Culture of Preparedness, Design a Journey that People Want to Follow
When a hurricane hits, people think about disaster planning. But most of the time, hurricanes or natural disasters feel like they apply to other people.
What is the Government Looking For? A Positively Established Culture
I was a contracting officer representative (COR) during most of my 11 years at FEMA, and during that time I became very familiar with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) which provide expansive guidance on acquiring services and products. One thing the FAR cannot tell CORs is how to identify which vendor has the culture that best fits their organization.
Walking in the Government's Shoes: As an Evaluator for Oral Presentations
A senior Government leader once said, “Doing it differently and thinking from a different perspective is the only way we’re going to make progress.” I couldn’t agree more with this individual, who has a ton of experience in acquisition and problem solving—and that is why we are learning by doing in Peer Groups at Arc Aspicio.
Top Qualities of Design Thinking Leaders
Design Thinking is on the rise in the business world. Design Thinking leaders focus on creating the best product for their clients and working with the experiences and insight of fellow coworkers. Some of the key characteristics of Design Thinking leaders present themselves in individuals who are open and subject themselves to vulnerability with clients and coworkers. These qualities help leaders to connect and build relationships with others. They also create an open flow of communication that allows for others to better share their knowledge to align with and understand the company's mission.
Readying While Recovering: Atlantic Hurricane Season 2018
The unprecedented hurricane response by state, local, and Federal agencies in 2017 is only months in the rearview mirror. Ready or not, June 1st marked the beginning of the 2018 Hurricane season.
Think, Key, Speak: Purposeful Communications
I spent the early years of my career in the United States Navy as a Naval Flight Officer on the E-2C Hawkeye, the Navy’s aircraft carrier-based Airborne Early Warning and Command and Control platform. The various missions of the aircraft demand that aircrew monitor up to ten radio frequencies, and actively speak on three or four of those, at any given moment in flight.
Learning Your Craft: Getting Great at What You Do Makes Innovation Easy
Legendary actor and director Robert Redford often calls for fellow actors to “learn their craft”—to be so great at the fundamentals that you have the confidence, security, and flexibility to pursue your passion.
How Can Communities Ready Themselves for a Major Power Grid Event?
Communities are often the foundation for an expedited recovery following major events. But how can communities strengthen their response to, for example, a major cyber-attack or natural event, such as an Electronic Magnetic Pulse solar flare? A United States electrical grid failure could destroy a number of the nation’s high voltage transformers causing widespread outages for several weeks, even months. A public health emergency could quickly ensue particularly among the vulnerable as the ripple effects cause significant societal disruption. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) strategic plan encourages and empowers communities to prepare for the inevitable impacts of future disasters. How can communities prime for major events?
Our Story: Part 15 - What Drew Me to Arc Aspicio: Becoming Entrepreneurial Leaders
“What drew you to Arc Aspicio?” Out of the many interviews I have conducted so far, I can almost guarantee that the candidate will ask me this at some point in the conversation, and it is a question that I love to answer.
Our Story: Part 13 - ArcTank and the Blue Rooster
As our world changes around us, we as a company have carefully thought about ways that we can inspire our employees and clients to take on new missions, rapidly adapt, and overcome challenges.
Our Story: Part 12 - This is What Trust Looks Like
Collaboration is a very important part of growth for any organization. At Arc Aspicio, we have seen the benefits that collaboration produces. The biggest one is building trust among our teams and clients.
Our Story: Part 11 - Persistence in Solving Complex Mission Challenges Makes Us Different
At Arc Aspicio, our people have a relentless desire to help our clients accomplish their mission. That is the primary reason we focus on homeland security. Our people find meaning in the work our client’s do.
Reflections on our IdeaJam – Disrupting Government Acquisition with Micro Consulting
To disrupt Government Acquisition, Arc Aspicio’s Strategy Innovation Lab partnered with Skylight Digital to host an IdeaJam on micro consulting. You have questions: What on earth is an IdeaJam? What are Micro Projects? Why are we disrupting anything? We have answers.
Strategy Consulting: Practice How You Play
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi famously said, “practice does not make perfect, practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” This quote highlights the importance of organizations embracing implementation of their own strategic plans.
Confessions of a Chief Strategy Officer
I’ll admit it, I was a little smug. After more than 20 years in the consulting business helping clients develop, implement, and integrate their strategies, I thought… “how hard could it be to do the same things for my own company – a company of consultants?” I had the commitment of my leadership, a group of talented people, and a plan and resources to grow the company. We had energy and we had a great process and tools to successful. What could go wrong?
Exploring Trends in Strategic Workforce Planning (Attract, Engage, and Retain)
Federal agencies have been undergoing significant transformation, requiring effective workforce strategies that can assist them in facing increasing challenges. As government leaders look for and implement initiatives to improve performance, Strategic Workforce Planning, (SWP) has become instrumental in assisting organizations to focus on their most important resource: their people
#Innovate Your Heart Out: We See an Innovation Day in Your Future
Innovation is difficult to harness for organizations of all sizes (Government and private sector alike). Replicating a process to encourage and produce innovation is even more challenging. Innovating in a structured space and time seems counter-intuitive, and begs the question: can thinking outside the box be a structured activity? Arc Aspicio recently held an Innovation Day to answer this question.
A Unified Brand Helps Serve a Complex Mission
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), created in 2003, undertook the most significant reorganization of federal agencies since the Cold War. It brought together federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies with a focus on securing the U.S. from threats in a collaborative way. DHS pulls together five complex mission areas: preventing terrorism and enhancing security; managing our borders; administering immigration laws; securing cyberspace; and ensuring disaster resilience.
Looking at Technology Solutions Through an Operational Prism
Anyone who has purchased a new phone, vehicle, or tool at some point asks themselves why certain functions exists. Why does it work this way, why did they change this, and exactly who did they obtain requirements from? End users are usually left pondering “if only they had asked me.”