As his time with RedCloud flew by in the blink of an eye, we made sure to catch some time with Antoine, our newest intern. A rising junior at the University of Washington, Antoine will graduate in 2023 with his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, focusing on Finance and Information Systems. We could already tell that he was a self-driven and ambitious individual with a bright future ahead - always seeking new knowledge and bringing his hard work ethic to the table. In his free time, he loved rugby, soccer, football, and snowboarding - so he also had plenty of fun stories to share with us, too. Read on to hear more about his experience on our team. Briefly describe your role and how long you were at RedCloud. I was a Consulting Intern, working at RedCloud since June 2021, after the completion of my second year at the University of Washington as an undergraduate studying Finance and Information Systems. I worked on a variety of projects, such as ensuring vendor compliance with one of our largest Fortune 500 clients, as well as planning a new environmental sustainability initiative within RedCloud. What was it like to join RedCloud (onboarding process)? My RedCloud onboarding process was about as seamless as it gets. I reached out to the RedCloud team indicating my interest in interning at the firm and was subsequently interviewed and offered a position shortly after. On my first day, I was warmly met by each individual in the office and was able to get straight to work. Given your background and other experiences, what stands out to you with RedCloud? After the recent RedCloud Summer BBQ event, I was very surprised at how great and welcoming all the people were. As a college student, I expected to feel a little out of place, but I could not have been more wrong. I met some amazing people, had great conversations, and felt like a part of the RedCloud community instantly. What originally drew you to RedCloud? I was originally drawn to RedCloud after working on a project with former intern David Liew. I worked on a consulting engagement with him through the UW Consulting & Business Development Center and was very impressed by his client management skills and analytical ability. I noticed he was interning at RedCloud Consulting and asked him about his work here, Iheard great things, leading me to reach out. Where do you see the future of consulting or the future of RedCloud? I see Business Intelligence and Data Analysis becoming a huge growth area within the consulting industry. As technology develops and impacts the way humans and companies make decisions, being able to make informed data-driven recommendations will become increasingly important. This is already a large practice area at RedCloud, and I can only see its growth continuing in the future. Name one piece of technology you couldn’t live without and why? Unfortunately, I had to say my favorite and most used piece of technology was my phone. It was the easiest form of communication, highly mobile, and could be used for just about anything. What were you looking forward to the most with RedCloud? The area I was definitely looking forward to was having more client-facing projects. Through my brief experience in consulting, I’d grown to love problem-solving in a team setting, as well as having the opportunity to work with business owners and decision-makers of varying experience and in varying industries. I’d been fortunate to advise some business owners with 25+ years of experience and felt that I was making a positive impact on their business.

We’re excited to hear from Puget Sound Business Journal that, once again, we’ve been listed on their annual Washington's Best Workplaces roundup of the top 100 businesses for employee satisfaction. It’s a true honor to hear that even given the challenging times of the last year, our employees are proud to call RedCloud home. With a dedication to transparency - and a constant commitment to it during our busiest seasons - we’re thrilled to see that our employee survey results were overwhelmingly positive. Maintaining a genuinely authentic workplace is among some of the most challenging tasks for a growing company, but it’s an element of the RedCloud recipe we've never taken our eye off of over the years. We know this makes our client deliverables top-notch and that an enjoyable workplace, even if it has been virtual for the last year +—, makes for the best collaborations and team output. The survey, facilitated by the independent research firm Quantum Workplace, gives our employees the opportunity to be brutally honest about their workplace happiness. RedCloud has been selected from the pool of companies surveyed for having one of the highest employee satisfaction scores, making us a finalist. The exact rankings are forthcoming later this year and will be published at that time. Thanks again to PSBJ for coordinating the surveys to keep our community informed—it’s important work!

Congratulations, Rick! Toys for Kids Founder and dear friend of RedCloud Rick Rizzs was recently named the 425 Citizen of the Year, a well-deserved honor! All of us at RedCloud send a HUGE round of applause for all he’s done to support children in our community and, specifically, the partnership and opportunity he’s afforded us to make an impact by his side. Along with his dear friend, the late Seattle Mariner Dave Henderson, Rick founded Toys for Kids 26 years ago with a simple mission: “We do it for the kids in need, and it feels good to put a little smile on their faces. Toys for Kids is not just a toy; it represents hope that somebody cares about them and their moms.” For the past five years, RedCloud has partnered with Rick and TfK to not only make holiday wishes come true but also support students in need with scholarships and extra boosts during the pandemic. Most recently, we pledged a year of support to Solid Ground’s Broadview Shelter, one of TfK’s key community partners. We can’t thank Rick enough for his leadership and for pulling us into his circle of supporters. Rick’s a model for stewarding in his community, even when times are busy being the Seattle Mariners broadcaster. He always keeps those in need at the top of his mind, and over the years, his nonprofit has grown to serve thousands of area families, most recently with a virtual auction for COVID-19 support, raising over $300,000. As the homeless population grows in the Seattle area, his plans to support those in need will only expand, and we look forward to seeing what he creates next. “Rick is a shining light in the Seattle community. There is no more genuine person than Rick. His leadership and actions continue to inspire us to do more and give back more to ensure children and families facing hard times get the boost—big or small—they need to move forward in life,” said Brett Alston, Managing Partner of RedCloud and Toys for Kids board member.

We’re excited to kick off Q2 with news of RedCloud’s acquisition of BuzzBee, a strategic technology marketing and communications firm based in Seattle. BuzzBee has more than two decades of experience developing strategy and implementing communications and marketing plans for some of the industry's best brands, such as Amazon, EMC, Microsoft, Intel, HP, AMD, and Concur. The acquisition adds a strong set of skills and capabilities to RedCloud’s existing offerings. BuzzBee’s creative ethos aligns with our approach to consulting, which is underpinned by an entrepreneurial, people-first mentality. We both share our unwavering belief in Transparency and Integrity. As part of the acquisition, BuzzBee’s founder, Michele Bourdon Keeffe, an industry innovator and entrepreneur, will join the RedCloud team to provide strategic input on client projects and drive new business opportunities. “We’ve long admired the unique approach to tech marketing and comms that Michele and her team have brought to projects of all types and some of the biggest names here in the Pacific Northwest,” said Brett Alston, our Managing Partner. Integrating BuzzBee’s skills and network to our proven RedCloud method will immediately help us provide a wider and deeper breadth of services for our clients.” Recognizing the key to collective, long-term success is employee satisfaction and strong relationships, we’ll continue our passion around supporting its consultants with a deep set of resources and building a company with professionals who fit the firm’s culture and future. ​ “We’re building RedCloud with a desire to provide an experience for consultants and clients unlike found elsewhere in our industry - one build on transparency and integrity,” said Brett Clifton, Managing Partner and Co-Founder. “Our team consists of a diverse and experienced blend of consulting, IT, and tech professionals who are self-starters - we are truly excited for the next phase of growth for RedCloud.”

As you may have seen, in partnership with Toys For Kids, RedCloud is providing a full year of support to Solid Ground ’s Broadview Shelter & Transitional Housing - in a few different ways. In December, RedCloud delivered new technology for their facility, and during 2021, we’re continuing with ongoing career support for residents with time and expertise from RedCloud team members. To kick off the career support, we wrapped up February with the very first Broadview Career Day - one of many to come in order to help prepare residents for job searching, resume building, and employment support as they re-enter the workforce. Recognizing that the residents at Broadview are in the midst of perhaps one of the toughest spots in their lives, we came prepared by attending a session from Solid Ground in advance. The session helped us understand where the residents are coming from and how we can best speak with them to encourage and cheerlead their career path. So, what did Career Day look like - especially during a pandemic? Our RedCloud team dedicated a full day to Broadview residents in need and advised them during 11 sessions that they were able to sign up for in advance. With help from Broadview’s case workers, the residents completed a questionnaire, enabling our recruiters to understand where the residents are at and where the assistance is most needed. Experts from RedCoud’s recruiting team called each of the residents to discuss their goals. The following sessions will be conducted over Microsoft Teams to enable screen sharing for resume support and guidance. During the sessions, the video will remain off to protect the residents’ privacy. An interpreter was on hand for residents in need of help with the English language. The sessions include a variety of help, whether it be job search assistance, goal setting, or resume revisions. Looking forward, we’re excited to continue offering our helping hands in support of our upcoming March Career Day. Broadview residents are welcome to attend another session (with the same recruiter) to build on the advice provided in session one. In the meantime, residents are also set up and equipped to email the RedCloud team confidentially to answer questions and keep the momentum up before the next Career Day. We’re so excited to be part of this collaborative effort, and we believe that just an hour of our time with each resident goes a long way in helping them on their way to a bright and successful future ahead. Each of them is so strong for taking the step not only to go to Broadview but also to seek our support in their road ahead. Onwards!

Four years ago, our Managing Partner Brett Clifton stepped up to give back to our community focusing on cause close to his heart by joining the advisory board of the University of Washington Foster School’s Consulting and Business Development Center (CBDC). The CBDC takes higher education one step further with real-life experience for students working on their undergrad degrees or MBA’s, giving them invaluable experience to use when they head into the business world upon graduation. As part of Brett’s leadership of the CBDC, RedCloud consultants have played an active role in the past in judging business plan competitions and mentoring students who are learning about consulting and its real world applications. Impact Awards As part of RedCloud’s ongoing support of the CBDC, and as a way to put a bow on 2020, for the fourth year we proudly supported the program’s Impact Awards, which recognizes business, civic, and student leaders who show commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in business. Celebrating 25 years of Impact Awards with an adapted virtual event (So 2020!) - the featured speakers included: Nigel Burton ( Pac-12 Networks & UW Foster Alum), Joanne Harrell (Sr. Director, Microsoft, UW Board of Regents) and local legend Coach Chris Peterson (Former UW Husky Head Football Coach & 2020 Fritzky Chair). A big congrats goes out to Jordan Crawford for being recognized with the Accenture Student Consultant of the Year Award. Despite the virtual nature of 2020, we were grateful to take part in the celebration to honor all that has been achieved during a challenging time. A Year of Mentoring Ahead In November, a team of RedCloud Consultants helped kick off the CBDC’s 2020-21 Business Management Consulting Program via zoom during “Business Advising Day”. The event launched with a chance for all of the participants and their mentors to meet each other and discuss their upcoming projects that the teams of student consultants will undertake starting this month.  Around 90-100 students will be participating in this unique program, forming teams of 4-6 students each.  The RedCloud employee advisors and the client company they will be supporting include:  Marie Mihail (The Athena Group) Sophia Stead (First Metals) Mary Anne (Blake Barber Creek) Scott Morton (Alliance West Insurance) Our mentors are looking forward to giving honest advice and feedback to the students as they embark on a real-world experience. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the program and seeing the projects come to life in 2021! “I was fortunate to attend UW twice (BA Economics, MBA Foster Executive Program) and am passionate about learning. The thorough approach and organized structure of this program is impressive. Helping others with their educational goals is wonderful. Learning from students and peers is the biggest benefit! I miss school so this is a terrific opportunity to experience the latest academic experiences and innovations. My goal in volunteering is to develop positive mentoring relationships and learn from the business team with whom we are working. My goal for students is to help them see the value of their education and how their studies will create a positive impact on others today and tomorrow.” - Marie Milhail

Happy holidays from our team at RedCloud Consulting! For reasons big and small, 2020 has thrown everything it has at all of us, and we’re fortunate and grateful to see a bright future ahead thanks to our resolute team and our dedicated clients. But we know that 2020 has severely impacted many in our local communities. To that end, starting this holiday season and continuing through 2021, on behalf of our clients RedCloud is adopting Solid Ground's Broadview Shelter & Transitional Housing - a safe haven at a secure location for mothers and kids experiencing homelessness. On behalf our amazing clients, we’re working with our partners at Toys For Kids to support Broadview through: New Microsoft laptops, software, and headphones for children to ensure learning can continue, even if in-person school is delayed or disrupted; Career coaching, job searching and employment support for parents to re-enter the workforce Upgraded high speed internet in the building to boost learning and employment; And so much more as 2021 unfolds! ​For anyone wanting to extend the support to Solid Ground and Broadview, more information and donation opportunities are available at solid-ground.org . Also, on behalf of our clients and employees, we’re proud to have recently awarded the Annual Dave “Hendu” Henderson Educational Scholarship Presented by RedCloud Consulting to a local high school senior on her way to college. Congratulations to Ana and her family, we look forward to tracking her success! At RedCloud, we take these actions to provide tangible resources to those in our community who need it the most and we are proud to make these contributions on behalf of our clients. We thank each of our clients for their business and partnership in 2020 - enabling these important gifts and getting kids and families on the track to success.

The holidays are fast approaching and year-end client projects are getting ready for that final push. This time of year also gets us excited about another annual tradition in our work with the young people of our communities. As part of our ongoing work to empower local kids with access to education and technology, we partner with Toys for Kids - an outstanding local organization who helps children of all socioeconomic backgrounds be better prepared for school and life. Giving back is a core value at RedCloud, staying front and center even when our lives and schedules turn upside down. As we grow, as we navigate the pandemic, as we adapt to working from home more, giving back grows ever important. It’s up to each one of us to extend a helping hand when we can, whether the gesture be big or small. This year in particular, RedCloud’s Brett Alston and Rick Rizz from Toys for Kids were so thrilled to be able to recently surprise winner Ana H. with the 3rd Annual Dave “Hendu” Henderson Educational Scholarship Presented by RedCloud Consulting, at her front door step, big check and all! Ana’s scholarship essay was so inspiring, providing some grounding insights we can all benefit from in these challenging times: ​ ​”Knowledge is a gift. Not because it’s meant to be something out of privilege, but because one can find it anywhere.” ”Who would I be to end my education if I have the ability to take it even further? I hold this close to my heart. I go to class. I smile.” Ana plans to pursue playwright studies. This scholarship will help with the cost of technology, books, travel and more as she takes a big step in her life.​ “Ana is an amazingly humble, yet accomplished young person,” said Brett Alston. “She is clearly a driven and high achieving individual who I have no doubt will go on to do amazing things in life. Talking with Ana provided all of us a great deal of inspiration for the future.” For more from behind the scenes at Toys for Kids and to see the surprise, check out the video below.

We recently welcomed Matt Little, a Senior Associate focusing on our new Digital Solutions team. He’s supporting PowerApps & Power Automate implementation for RedCloud’s clients, as well as developing internal apps, business solutions, and processes for the Data & AI and Digital Solutions Practices. Matt has 10+ years of management consulting experience and was a Digital Transformation delivery lead for teams of all sizes and a practice manager in his past experience. For the past 3 years, Matt has been expanding expertise in and advocating for adopting solutions that use Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and the Microsoft Power Platform. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his 15-year-old German Shepherd, playing hockey or golf, and entering the World Series of Poker every summer. Read on to hear about his favorite quarantine activity! Briefly describe your role and how long you've been at RedCloud I joined RedCloud in late August as a Senior Associate for the new Digital Solutions Practice. My role is primarily building Digital Solutions using SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, PowerApps & Power Automate for RedCloud’s clients, as well as internal efforts to help improve the employee experience of our Associates and Consultants. What was it like to join RedCloud (onboarding process)? I’d say RedCloud has adapted to the pandemic about as well as anyone could hope. The recruiting process was entirely remote, and that might have actually accelerated it. I was contacted by a recruiter on a Monday evening, and by Friday that same week, I had done five interviews and been alerted that an offer was forthcoming. Kudos to the team for a job well done there. As for the actual onboarding, again I was impressed. I had some pandemic anxieties about; whether I would need to go into the office to get a laptop. How many people would I meet there? Isn’t it weird not to shake someone’s hand? What’s the protocol for masks being on/off? etc. However, RedCloud’s onboarding specialist Emily did a great job coordinating with me to ship the laptop by mail and meet with me virtually to take me through all the necessary onboarding activities. Thank you! Given your background and other experiences, what stands out to you with RedCloud? The consistently positive ratings and reviews that current and former employees give RedCloud year-in and year-out. Any concerns I had about joining were quickly put to rest when I poked around LinkedIn and Glassdoor to see the experiences that others have had with this leadership team. You don’t get that kind of overwhelmingly positive feedback without being very good at setting expectations with people and without understanding and empathizing with them. What originally drew you to RedCloud? It was the leadership team’s enthusiasm for the Microsoft Power Platform, and starting up a practice around Digital Solutions. This is a space I’ve been advocating for and championing for the last 3+ years, and I think that the potential for digital transformation with this suite of tools is staggering. It’s a space that’s still evolving, with more and more AI capabilities being introduced; and I’m very excited about the outcomes we’ll achieve together in the months/years to come. Where do you see the future of consulting or the future of RedCloud? A lot of people see or have seen the coming wave of automation, and far too many see it in a negative light. There’s a scary statistic out there about 47% of all the jobs in the U.S. have a high potential to be automated away. They say, where will the jobs come from to fill that void? In my view, that way of thinking is trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Our goal shouldn’t be to replace the jobs we automate away 1-for-1; it should be to find more ways to compensate people for the services they already innately provide to their friends, families, and communities. The bottom line is that automation is a gift, not a curse. It means more time for people to think strategically, unleash their creativity, and spend time on the parts of work and life that they enjoy most. Name one piece of technology you couldn’t live without and why? I’ve found a renewed love for gaming during this pandemic, so I’m tempted to say an Xbox or Switch, but I bought a Desktop PC earlier this year for the first in many years. Having that makes it feel like there is a whole universe of possibilities at my fingertips, whether for gaming, interacting with friends, or earning a living online. What are you looking forward to the most this year with RedCloud? Like most people, I think the thing I’m most looking forward to about 2020 is it being over. That said, when we do return to a “normal” circumstance where we can congregate in groups again, I’m looking forward to actually getting to know others at RedCloud in person.

Prior to the rapid impacts of the pandemic, which arrived in early 2020, our firm—like many companies in the Seattle area—was on track to have a record year. This was fueled by strong results on behalf of our clients, a growing team of professionals who brought their best every day, and a booming regional economy in need of the services RedCloud specializes in. Of course, the personal, economic, and societal fallout from the onset of the pandemic has touched everyone in one way or another - some far worse than others from a medical and economic perspective. It is safe to say we are all still navigating the pandemic every week or daily. At RedCloud, we’re proudly staying the course in our business, ensuring our clients and employees maintain a sense of stability and results that we have long prided ourselves on. Will the record-breaking year continue? Well, we might have to hit pause for a few more months on that trajectory. However, we’re happy to report on a strong first half despite the challenges in front of us. The SS RedCloud sails on strongly into a headwind! For our consultants, the adaptation to remote work has gone astoundingly well. We recognize that our industry’s reliance (and implementation) on technology makes us fortunate to continue to work and dissemination our decision-making via today’s communications tools - ensuring we stay highly productive on behalf of our clients. We know that RedCloud is fortunate not just to have survived the pandemic to date but to have continued to thrive - building our team and adding new clients and projects. While our firm and projects continue to push forward under the steady eye of our leadership team and account managers, as a company, we continue to learn each day of this unusual life we all find ourselves in and will adapt based on the ups and downs of the pandemic. “We are all in this together” is an oft-used term in today’s society, but could just be the most simple and poignant way to describe our firm’s attitude in the midst of a challenge unlike any other. We thank our clients for their continued trust in our work and as always, our RedCloud team of dedicated professionals that continue to “come to work” and thrive.

Today, we’re connecting with Yan Ma, our new Senior Marketing Manager. Despite joining our team during a unique time in our society and economy, Yan is off to the races with her clients, providing expert-level services based on a career in technology. ​ Yan’s expertise lies in many areas, from digital marketing to vendor management and process improvement. With previous experience at Microsoft as a Product Marketing Manager and a consultant, she’s a natural fit for our RedCloud team, too. We recently had the chance to sit down (virtually, of course!) with her about her RedCloud experience so far. Briefly describe your role and how long you've been at RedCloud. I am a Senior Marketing Manager and have been with RedCloud for three months. I manage and produce go-to-market and readiness communications to support global sales of Microsoft Teams. I collaborate with stakeholders and content contributors across the organization from compete to product investment for advisories, newsletters, pre-reads (for events), etc. What was it like to join RedCloud (onboarding process)? In my experience, it was very streamlined and transparent. I’m not new to consulting companies, so some of the onboarding at RedCloud was industry standard. What I felt was different was their eagerness to meet me, get to know me, and quickly place me. It was a very smooth process for me. Given your background and other experiences, what stands out to you with RedCloud? Their professionalism, personable communication style, and ongoing check-ins/feedback. What originally drew you to RedCloud? After a former coworker at Microsoft introduced me to one of RedCloud’s recruiters, I was drawn to the firm by their approach. The recruiting team was very personable, and they tried to find out what areas of marketing I was interested in for a good match. Also, they had various opportunities for me to explore right away! Where do you see the future of consulting or the future of RedCloud? Hmm…well, working in the age of the gig economy, I’ve seen more and more consulting companies over the past few years pop up, so it’s gotten quite competitive. Due to the flexibility and ability to choose which projects contractors want to (personally) pursue, I believe it will remain an attractive alternative to the typical 9-5. Name one piece of technology you couldn’t live without and why? Hardware – my mobile for obvious reasons; software – Instagram for obvious reasons 😊 What are you looking forward to the most this year with RedCloud? I want to continue growing our relationship with our client and expanding my professional experience with my current role, along with the additional training RedCloud offers.

For this month’s employee Lunch and Learn, we turned inward to learn more about ourselves with the help of our special guest, Executive Coach Todd Calongne . Todd’s background as a senior-level public affairs and communications expert with several prominent U.S. Government agencies makes him a natural leader and experienced executive. He has advised cabinet secretaries, foreign dignitaries, members of Congress, and CEOs. Today, Todd helps companies like RedCloud become more self-aware, encouraging authenticity for success. We loved the sound of this! As a little bit of homework before RedCloud’s session with Todd, our participating team members completed the Advanced Insights Profile personality assessment, which aims to identify What natural talents do you have?, Why are you motivated to use them?, and How do you prefer to use them?. During lunch, Todd explained the various results of our individual profiles, including DISC (measuring our behavioral styles), values, and core attributes. Together, we explored the results of our team and discussed the benefits of understanding each unique personality type. This unique approach was a compelling way for us to learn more about how we think as individuals. Todd pointed out that there are no bad personality types, as each of the four dimensions is important for different reasons. Having a variety of behavioral styles on the same team is advantageous, Todd explained, and we couldn’t agree more with the notion of bringing a diverse set of approaches and insights to a project creates success for our clients. Our Key Takeaway on What makes a person successful? Research conducted by the Innermetrix report we used shows that the most successful people share the common trait of self-awareness. They recognize the situations that will make them successful, making it easy for them to find ways of achieving objectives that fit their behavioral style. They also understand their limitations and where they are not effective and this helps them understand where not to go or how not to be as well. Those who understand their natural behavioral preferences are far more likely to pursue the right opportunities in the right way, at the right time, and get the desired results. ​ Our RedCloud Results? Our team typically preferred the I & S categories - interactive and stability. As consultants, our team is geared towards stability and prefers pacing, persistence, and steadiness. Interacting with and connecting with people is who we are at RedCloud. As our team reviewed our results, many of us could see the connection between our personality types and career paths. A lot of us were “Low Political” or low regulatory in personality style, further confirmation that we are collaborative and prefer to serve as trusted advisors rather than rulers. This edition of our Lunch and Learn Series turned us inward, something that comes with perfect timing as we identify how we handle stress and how we utilize the help of our teams during these uncertain times. We’re so grateful for Todd’s expertise in helping us grow stronger as a unified team. These are lessons our entire team can take forward to improve our team and, ultimately, the work we deliver each day to our clients! Onward!