A CFO I worked with used to say, “The difference between an accountant and an engineer is that the accountant doesn’t think they can do engineering.” It’s a funny line, but there’s some real insight behind it. Most accounting firm owners I’ve worked with are sharp, disciplined, and deeply grounded Read more…
What’s New, What’s Next, and What Hasn’t Changed Attending AIA 2025 was a reminder of how quickly the design and construction industry is evolving—and how much remains grounded in the enduring values of the profession. The Rise (and Rise) of AI Artificial Intelligence was no longer a fringe idea or Read more…
Ask most business owners what strategy means, and you’ll hear some version of “a plan to grow.” But growth isn’t the only reason to think strategically—sometimes, it’s not even the right one.
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 the client’s satisfaction. However, there’s often a gap Read more…
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 Read more…
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 Read more…
I had a great conversation with Peter Atherton of Actions Prove in Episode 102 of The AEC Leadership Today podcast. We covered a lot of ground, from implementing Quality systems like TQM and ISO 9001 to Strategic Planning and everything in between. Perhaps the centerpiece of the conversation regarded business Read more…