2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting year at Jarvis Consulting Group - in January, we officially became Great Place to Work Certified!

We were both proud and thrilled to receive this recognition, and it got us thinking about the past five years - all the steps we’ve taken (and continue to take) to build and sustain a strong, supportive culture.

With that in mind, we wanted to take a moment to mark this achievement by reflecting on the efforts that make Jarvis a truly great place to work. So, we sat down with Ian Cunningham, Managing Partner & Chief Client Officer to go behind the scenes and talk about what this milestone means, how we got here, and where we’re headed next.

1. What does being officially Certified as a Great Place to Work mean to you and to the company?

Being Great Place to Work Certified is a huge milestone and a reflection of the culture we’ve built together over the past five years. It’s more than just an award - it’s proof that we’ve created a workplace built on trust, collaboration, and real commitment to our people.

What makes this recognition even more special is that it’s based on real feedback from our team. It tells us that people here feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. It shows that we’re not just talking about being an inclusive, supportive, and community-driven company - we’re actually living it.

For me personally, this is a reminder that when we invest in our people, we drive engagement, innovation, and long-term success. And that’s exactly the kind of workplace we want to keep building.

2. Why do you think we earned this recognition, and what makes our culture stand out?

From my perspective, a great workplace is one where people trust their leaders, take pride in their work, enjoy working with each other, and feel a sense of purpose. It’s about knowing your contributions matter - not just to the company, but to our clients and partners, and beyond. That experience should be the same for everyone, regardless of their role, background, or location. I believe we earned this recognition because those values aren’t just ideas at Jarvis - they’re how we operate every day.

We focus on open communication, personal and professional growth, and a culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Our team doesn’t just show up for work - they actively shape our culture and create an environment where everyone can succeed. For example, when we launched our mentorship program, we made it a two-way learning experience where both mentors and mentees gained valuable insights. That kind of initiative reinforces that growth, support, and impact are priorities here.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to making sure people feel heard, supported, and inspired to innovate. Because only a team that truly thrives - one that sees the impact of their work - can bring our mission to life: driving innovation, empowering organizations, and making a positive impact on communities.

3. What aspects of our workplace culture do you think contributed most to achieving this certification?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing that made the biggest impact - everything plays a role. But if I had to choose, my top three would be:

• A people-first mindset: this drives every decision we make, ensuring that our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.

• Open communication and trust: transparency and listening to feedback are key to building a culture where people feel heard and can thrive.

• A strong sense of purpose: our team is constantly challenged with solving some of the toughest tech problems for our clients, which keeps our work meaningful and impactful.

4. How would you describe our company culture in three words?

Innovation, empowerment, impact.

5. The theory sounds great. Can you share examples of initiatives or programs we have that help nurture a strong, supportive workplace?

Absolutely: Ideas are easy, execution is everything. Walking the walk is what truly makes the difference, and it takes consistent effort every day. That’s why we actively invest in initiatives that foster growth, recognition, collaboration, and inclusion.

To keep our team inspired and continuously learning, we host events with industry leaders, open to both employees and the broader community, giving everyone the chance to meet and learn from experts and thought leaders. Celebrating wins - big and small - is also part of our culture, whether through team spotlights or simple moments of appreciation.

Growth is a priority. Our mentorship program provides structured support for individual and team development, while regular feedback loops - from 1:1s and all-hands meetings to dedicated leadership feedback sessions - ensure every voice is heard and ideas turn into action.

We also believe in team connection and collaboration. That’s why we make space for it, whether through happy hours, team-building activities, or board game sessions. And, when it comes to innovation: hackathons, and knowledge-sharing sessions, we encourage people to push boundaries and bring fresh ideas forward.

Finally, we believe a great workplace extends beyond Jarvis. Through our partnerships with the Education Bank and other charitable organizations, we place an emphasis on community involvement. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who is a part of our team is actively contributing to the community, creating a positive impact and strengthening the connections that make Jarvis so special. Being engaged and giving back is an essential part of our culture, and I’m excited to see how involved everyone is, and the difference they make.

There’s plenty more we do, but at the core, it’s support, transparency, and shared purpose that define our culture. And we’re always looking for ways to make it even better.

6. How does leadership play a role in shaping and maintaining our company culture?

Leadership plays a huge role in shaping and maintaining our culture. It sets the tone for everything we do. A strong culture isn’t built from the top down, it’s fostered through accessibility, open communication, and leading by example.

For us, leadership means listening, learning, and empowering our teams. We create space for regular feedback, ensuring every voice is heard and valued. We also invest in growth through mentorship programs, professional development, and innovation challenges, encouraging employees to take ownership of their work.

It is also important to understand that despite the best of intentions, we do not get everything right and make mistakes, or do not communicate as clearly or as early as we could. Change management is an integral part of a rapidly evolving company and culture, and we need to double down on ensuring we are clearly communicating what our roadmap and intentions are, and listening to how it impacts individuals and teams across the organization.

At the same time, leadership is about pushing the team to step outside their comfort zones while providing a safety net. We want people to take risks, experiment, and innovate knowing that they’ll be supported through the process.

We also believe great leadership comes with humility and adaptability. It’s not about having all the answers, but about making informed decisions by considering different perspectives and learning from the team.

At the end of the day, culture is built in the small moments - recognizing wins, celebrating milestones, and staying engaged. Leadership is about creating an environment where people feel supported, inspired, and empowered to do their best work.

On a personal note, I pride myself on helping people reach decisions on their own. For me, that goes much further to supporting their development than simply making, or strongly recommending, decisions for them.

7. What’s next? How do we build on this achievement?

This certification is a recognition of the culture we’ve built, but culture is a living thing - it takes ongoing effort and intention every day.

We’ll continue strengthening mentorship, development programs, and cross-team collaboration to create more opportunities for growth and innovation. At the same time, our culture isn’t just about the workplace - it’s the foundation that allows us to solve the toughest tech challenges, push boundaries, and provide the best support to our clients.

Great workplaces aren’t static - they evolve, and we’re committed to keeping that momentum going.