The Leadership Commitment to Planning and Process Adoption In the design and construction industry, every successful project begins with a solid plan, but even the best plans can fall apart without proper execution. AEC firms understand that effective project management is critical to delivering on time, within budget, and to
A Different Take on the AI Revolution The rapid advancement of AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, has sparked a fervent debate about the future of jobs, particularly in fields like design engineering and architecture. Some predict that AI will soon eliminate these roles, but history suggests a more nuanced view.
In my work with company leadership, I frequently encounter dissatisfaction with current software programs and digital tools, particularly in project management and enterprise resource management (ERP). Many leaders are evaluating or considering a change in their business software, believing that new tools will solve their problems. However, a closer look
Boosting Accountability in Your Business: A Practical Guide Achieving accountability in a business setting is no small feat, but it’s essential for long-term success. After years of striving for this goal, I discovered that it boils down to a few key concepts. Here’s how you can improve accountability in your
Have you been struggling to keep up with running your firm? Stuck on the hamster wheel trying to be the leader, operator, business developer and technical guru? Do you lack the time to focus on creating improvements or growth, but aren’t confident you can carry a full-time COO? You are
Somewhere along the line, the term “poaching” became interchangeable with “recruiting” in the business landscape. This mischaracterization of the recruiting process has always bothered me. Poaching, in its intended context, is “the illegal killing or capturing of wild animals.” The implications of using this term to describe recruiting are extremely problematic. First,
In the fast-paced landscape of professional communication dominated by emails, there’s a simple yet often underestimated practice that has the potential to transform your interactions: acknowledging receipt. In this blog post, we’ll explore the impact of this small but significant step towards First Class Communication. The Silence Dilemma Think about
During my recent attendance at the CEO roundtable for small firms at the ACEC National Conference in Austin, Texas, CEOs shared their top challenges: Firm Growth Ownership Transition and Succession Planning Workforce Shortage While topics like AI, DEI, and workforce shortages dominate the industry narrative, these rankings are quite fitting
Struggling to get meetings to start on time? Are your teams frantically running from one meeting to the next, even virtually? You are not alone! When I became CEO of full-service design and construction management firm, our meeting culture was such that people would start showing up at the top
Perfectionism can be seen as both a positive and a negative quality, depending on the context and its impact on an individual’s life. On the positive side, perfectionism can drive individuals to strive for excellence and high standards in their work, relationships, or personal endeavors. It can lead to meticulous