Building A People-forward Company

People-forward companies prioritize their employees' well-being and create a work environment that fosters growth, engagement, and satisfaction. People-centric workplaces tend to have better employee retention rates. Employees who feel valued and cared for are more likely to stay with the organization. People-forward companies recognize the importance of work-life balance and encourage continuous learning, which is promoted through training programs, workshops, and skill-building opportunities. Employees feel empowered when they can enhance their skills and grow within the organization.

Nasra Abdi, the CEO of ACI Solutions, firmly believes that company culture starts from the top. It is critical to have buy-ins from the company's leadership to adhere to the entire organization. "As a self-proclaimed 'People Person,' it's paramount that we are a people-forward company at ACI, something you don't find every day in the tech industry. What I mean by people forward is that our culture is designed to uplift and energize our team," she says. "The better we care for our team members, the better they will care for our clients with care and passion."

Celebrating over 20 years of business, ACI has a long-standing reputation for providing outstanding support to clients, including U.S. government agencies and international entities. ACI's portfolio of services includes end-to-end Program/Project Management, IT Service Management (ITSM), Security Transformation, Digital Workspace and Collaboration, and Automation and Orchestration Services.

As the company grows and develops, ACI puts an equal emphasis on the growth and development of its existing and emerging leaders. Nasra and her team bring in outside consultants, speakers, and industry leaders several times a year to speak to the ACI team members on various leadership methodologies and best practices. This year, new to ACI, they implemented a Lead program within their different teams to add another layer of growth for those ready to take on the challenge. This investment in the team through mentorship will help them enhance their problem-solving and leadership skills in a collaborative environment. These efforts will lead to the success of an individual and the company as a whole.

As a Co-Founder of ACI, Nasra believes the company's success was built from the ground up. For more than two decades, ACI has measured success by its ability to deliver to the mission needs of the clients and the growth, development, and retention of its team members. As a pioneering leader, Nasra's advice to all leaders would be to focus on their people. "Create an environment where your teams are valued, their achievements are celebrated, and success will come naturally," she adds. "Finding a balance throughout the day in both work and life is so important. It's a balance I want to model for my team who face the same challenges in their work and family lives. Motivating my team to take the right steps towards finding this balance has been a fulfilling commitment."

This year's goals for ACI are focusing on processes and procedures. Simplifying its internal operations has streamlined its success path, and the company plans to continue this effort. A large part of maintaining a people-forward workplace is ensuring that the team has the information and resources they need at the ready. Ensuring that internal processes run smoothly will allow ACI team members to better serve their customers' mission and business. "GROWTH is the mantra for the year, not only for ACI but also for me. I love investing time and effort into my professional development and our team's development. The more we focus on the little things, the more precise the big picture becomes," elucidates Nasra.