Sean's Company is Doing Well

We got this note from Sean's CEO at work. We felt very blessed when we got this job, and after reading this, we feel even more blessed. We always have known and know that Heavenly Father will take care of us, but I just find it such a miracle to have gotten this job when we did and to be working for such a great company, especially in these trying times. It is a long note, but worth reading. If any of you have questions about the company, please let us know and we can pass on some info.

Dear Colleagues,
Last year at this time, with the impending separation of Booz Allen’s core businesses and the change ahead of us, we naturally wondered how things would turn out.
Our tremendous success this past year — evidenced by 18% revenue growth, strong brand recognition, and industry-leading benefits programs —attests that Booz Allen Hamilton today is stronger than ever. In 2009, as we enter our 95th year in business, Booz Allen’s place in the world is significant and secure, and our institution exemplifies the spirit of service.
Significant — Booz Allen is front-and-center helping clients solve the most pressing issues of the 21st century — securing our homeland, combating global terrorism, providing vital citizen services, and protecting the environment. Our ideas on topics such as cloud computing, cyber security, and health reform are having broad reach in the press and at major conferences, and recent books by Booz Allen authors on Megacommunities and Wargaming for Leaders have received critical acclaim. In recognition of our impact and stature, Booz Allen was named Contractor of the Year in the government services sector. Again in 2008, we were named a Best Company to Work For by FORTUNE, Working Mother, Business Week, and many others.
We take pride in this external recognition, but what you tell us matters most. To me, this quote from a staff member captures why we have such impact year after year, “No matter what level, you never stop improving at Booz Allen. The talent is amazing to start with, yet people are always trying to get even better.”
Secure — Reading the headlines and stock tables, it’s hard not to worry about the economy, but I want to assure you that Booz Allen Hamilton is strong and secure. Our performance this year, in both revenue and profitability, would be exceptional at any time – but in these days, it is nothing short of astounding.
You’ve made this success possible by selling and delivering important, high-value work, and by ensuring that we manage utilization and expenses. As a result, Booz Allen has a backlog of sold work in excess of $2 billion and a cash position that enables us to easily fund all of our business costs as well as ECAP and investment programs. The Washington Post, not known for flattery, called us “a jewel of a company with proven management, steady cash flow, and a valuable brand name. “ Over the past two decades, Booz Allen has done even better in years following a change in Presidential administrations. This isn’t surprising because we’re in the business of change. As a result of our growth and success, Booz Allen is hiring in many areas and I hope you’ll refer others who are looking for a rewarding career with a company as secure as ours (see https://erp.bah.com/hotjobs.htm) .
Spirit of Service – This isn’t a marketing slogan at Booz Allen — the words come from our founding partner James Allen, and it’s how we conduct our business and serve our communities. During the past year, Booz Allen’s service and impact have reached a new level, even by our high standards. We were honored by the Points of Light Institute with its coveted Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs award, just one of the dozens of recognitions we received in 2008. We established a major partnership with USO and launched a program in 12 cities called “FIRST Robotics” to support science and technology education. In 27 locations across the country, we fixed homes for the poor and elderly through Rebuilding Together, and we sponsored 48 Relay for Life teams, raising over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Those of you who live in the Washington area may have read the recent news story which said, “Among the hundreds of submissions received from non-profits for this annual column on corporate philanthropy, one name came up time and again: Booz Allen Hamilton.” Well beyond the Beltway, Booz Allen is making a difference in Colorado Springs, where we won the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropic Program award, in San Diego, Atlanta, Dayton, Southern Maryland, Rome, NY, Charleston, SC and so many other places.
How will we ensure that Booz Allen remains significant and secure, and committed to the spirit of service in the future?
Every day, each of us needs to do excellent work and perform it with integrity. We’ve seen too many people in the news who have not done so. Our profession is vitally dependent on excellence, ethics, and compliance by every individual. At the institutional level, we will continue to invest leadership attention and funds in our people programs, market development, and thought leadership. We’re responding boldly to the needs and opportunities ahead – in financial reform, health reform, cyber security, and infrastructure programs, to name just a few. In this, our 95th year, Booz Allen brings clients the wisdom and experience of age combined with the creativity and energy of youth – ensuring that we, and those we serve, will always be ready for what’s next.
Today, when so many people are facing hardship, Booz Allen’s success brings both reassurance and responsibility. Thank you for your extraordinary dedication to our clients and the firm, and thank you for your generosity to others. I wish you and your loved ones health, happiness, and success in 2009.
-- Ralph