With no stake in the insurance market, RMI Consulting Inc. provides its customers with an approach to risk management that is not riddled with conflicts of interests and insurance sales quotas, according to MaryAnn Sackman, company president.

The independent risk management consulting firm provides risk management services for small to large companies seeking outside guidance on how to manage and curtail risks.

While competitors often are tied to brokerage firms and insurers, RMI's approach provides customers with sound, unbiased plans for managing risk, said Ms. Sackman.

"We bring an unbiased point of view in favor of our clients; (we are) unencumbered by the inherent conflict of interest a broker or agent faces," she said. "We work with our clients to identify risk and look for ways to avoid or contractually transfer risk, using insurance as the last resort."

That, along with other aspects of RMI's business profile, has helped the 28-year-old company gain recognition for three consecutive years as the best risk management consulting firm in Business Insurance's Readers Choice Awards, including this year.

"When I look at ourselves as independent risk managers, we really operate a little differently," she said. "We have a niche that works for us. We utilize a business plan that we feel offers a risk manager plans that cater to their needs. We have employees; we don't rely on consultants."

The company's model leans heavily on teamwork, she said, and pooling of knowledge among its team of 45 experts. "That team approach offers our clients a level of continuity of services. They always feel that their team is knowing and able to work on their account."

Enhancing the firm's expertise, this year RMI added an attorney to its office to provide guidance to clients in several growing areas, including directors and officers liability renewals and a tightening insurance market, said Ms. Sackman.

Enterprise risk management is another area RMI plans to expand further, based on current marketplace needs. Already providing ERM strategies for larger companies, RMI plans to offer services to smaller firms.

"(ERM) is a hot-button issue right now," Ms. Sackman said. "When I look at the need, I look at this enterprise risk management to improve their overall business plan."