History

SEI was established in 1992 as a specialty/niche consulting firm focused on delivering superior value to a select group of local clients. The company was created to provide an alternative to clients who were frustrated by inconsistent quality, rampant turnover in the consultant ranks, and the inherent costs the client incurs as a result.

First, we identified a niche where we could focus and excel. There were plenty of management consultants and plenty of contract programming shops, but there were few options for clients who needed foresight and experience to guide them through the technological upheavals that were taking place. We established our niche as a provider of technical leadership and technical specialists in client/server and other leading edge information technologies. We made a commitment to evolve as the technology evolved, remaining on the forefront of information technology.

To achieve our goals of consistent quality and staff stability, we had to create an organization that would attract, retain, and motivate quality professionals. Fortunately, our goals were mutually reinforcing:

	Quality people were attracted to an organization committed to delivering superior value
	Quality people attracted other quality people
	Quality people working together as a team enhanced the value being delivered
	Quality people remain committed to an organization that supports their need to excel and deliver superior value

The company has grown steadily and prospered as a result of open book management, performance based compensation, and our orientation towards quality and value. By 1995, the Cincinnati local operating company had reached critical mass with sufficient equity to introduce and take advantage of the benefits of broad-based employee ownership. SEI was originally founded by, and capitalized by, the current managing principal, who owned 100% of the stock initially. An ownership transfer process began in 1995 with the SEI Stock Grant & Purchase Plan. Today, the consulting staff in Cincinnati owns a controlling interest in the Cincinnati local operating company. As each local operating company reaches a critical mass, the same local ownership transfer process will occur.

An orientation towards quality and value allows SEI employees to take pride in their work. Open book management provides them with the information they need to succeed. Performance based compensation provides appropriate rewards for their achievements. Broad-based employee ownership tightly aligns the interests of the employees with the interests of the company, and serves as an added attraction to the "best and brightest". As a result when you engage an SEI consultant, you are engaging a committed owner with a long-term vested interest in the partnership between our two companies.