A three-time Elev8 GovCon Honoree, and #onetowatch for many reasons, Dev Technology Group CEO Kendall Holbrook shares a look into some of this company’s success including strategizing fun, engagement, and what’s next for this emerging large business.
Strategizing the Fun, along with the Growth
Bringing the same focus and investment to its go-to market strategy as it does the culture side of things, part of the work is showing up in meaningful ways. “The summer is always crunch time heading into the fiscal year end and we always have an end of year celebration but try to switch it up to make it fun.”
The 2024 celebration included an omelette bar and mimosas and New Year’s themed decorations to make the event festive.
“We work to bring everyone in knowing it isn’t just the corporate team, or the BD team, it’s also back office support, those doing pricing, the program teams. End of year is a chance to say thank you to everyone for their work over the year and the extra they may contribute during this busy period.”
Other thank yous include financial perks like a proposal bonus pool.
A Place People Want to Be
Whether it is a place people want to work or a place clients and partners want to come, there is a common thread woven throughout Dev Technology of people wanting to be there, wanting to be engaged, wanting to be part of the bigger picture.
“From day one this has been a company which wanted people at the center. My focus, since becoming CEO, has been continuing our evolution while holding on to that people focus.”
Noting that what happens with 10 people, or 150 cannot be the same with 300, Dev Technology takes a fluid approach to culture. That may mean sunsetting programs altogether, or morphing them to improve and encompass more. “One thing that we revamped was our internal mentor-protégé program that came out of HR.”
The change? Making it suit people where they are. “Some of these relationships are longer-term but others are very objective or task based, simpler and less involved. Nothing is a one-size fits all and this kind of career guidance shouldn’t be either.”
Pivoting from the more formal Toastmasters, the company is also developing its own ‘Dev Speaks’ which combines the needs of the team, and fewer formalities to make the environment more accessible.
Engagement
Another unique element at Dev Technology is its internal group of early and mid-career employees – the Denizens. While initially begun by the company, the group is now self-organizing and has taken on a direction and life of its own. “Whether it is networking or professional development activities, the activities of this team both attract and develop early career folks.”
Just as it focuses on internal engagement, the company is focused on outward engagement as well. Beyond events and activities organized by others, Dev also has a small business outreach program it has evolved over the past six years or so. “We recognized back then that we weren’t going to stay a small forever and part of our success has been the way we team and partner, the relationships we have that are at the right time for the right work.”
The small business outreach program creates a space for Dev to coach and mentor small businesses, to share lessons learned along the way. Whether it is from Kendall, from BD leaders talking about pipeline and proposals, from the financial side and pricing strategy, Dev is able to not only share intel but cultivate relationships. “We’re also preparing these businesses to work with us in the future because they know how we think, how we approach things.”
Whether they use the skills they acquire working with Dev, or other partners, the company is sharing best practices, a look at a culture that has thrived by doing things the right way, and it has helped the small business forge relationships it can turn to in the future.
Value in Connections – Lesson One
Relationship building is a key component of branding. While it can be intimidating for some, the act of attending events, of networking is the chance to meet someone you may not have known but perhaps should is something every business owner needs to know.
“I don’t know how anyone stays inside their own walls and grows their business. You have to figure out how to engage, how to be present. You have to peel off some time to work on your business. You have to find that balance between working in and on the business whether it is someone to backfill you in the office, or represent you in industry.”
That being said, not every environment is right for everyone. Being a round peg in a square hole because an event was too far out of a comfort zone does no one any good. “Start small, start with what is comfortable for you and go from there. The more you attend, the more familiar faces there will be when those bigger events happen. Consider sitting on a planning committee so when you attend something you have a job, a reason for being there.”
Dev 2025
2025 represents a new beginning for Dev Technology, the end of one set of strategic goals and the start of its next. “We’ll continue to grow, to add to our portfolio in the health arena. We have staffed up a bit this year, including adding a new BD lead who will focus on DOD, adding people experienced in running portfolios of business but also doing capture.”
Growing as a Large Emerging Business
Working to make the most of being where it is, of showing up in creative ways, Dev has engaged with other similar firms, working together to chart new paths. “We see many companies being acquired but that’s not the only way. There are other ways we can move forward and make names for ourselves as the mid-tiers on the street.”
Continuing talking and working with other companies its size where there is trust and solid relationships, it will be exciting to see what is next.
“We have that opportunity to cross that Bermuda Triangle of being a mid-tier business, hopefully with a few friends, and come out the other side still true to who we are and what is important to us.”
Not Yet a Premium Partner/Sponsor? Learn more about the OS AI Premium Corporate and Individual Plans here. Plans start at $295 annually.