BL Companies Vice President of Operations Derek Kohl recently authored an article for the Hartford Business Journal providing insights on the challenges and opportunities emerging for the architecture and engineering sector in a rapidly evolving economic and regulatory landscape. Here is an excerpt:
How do firms not only weather uncertainty, but position themselves to thrive in it?
It starts from within. During economic and policy shifts, a highly engaged company culture becomes a strategic advantage.
Senior leaders at architecture, engineering and construction firms should be gathering employees on a consistent basis to share the latest insights on both the state of the business and the broader market.
These meetings are where leaders can share what they should be monitoring. Everyone at the company should know what is in the pipeline and what is in hand to help stay ahead of potential challenges, while identifying new opportunities.
Senior leaders also need to practice active listening — with employees, partners and clients. These are your eyes on the ground and can sometimes surface concerns and opportunities earlier than data.
Finally, for firms offering integrated and multidiscipline services, this is the moment to double down on cross-training. A nimble workforce where engineers can step into surveying roles, or environmental staff can do both compliance and natural resource work, creates built-in flexibility.
That kind of agility not only keeps work moving, it provides learning experiences for employees and positions the firm to seize new opportunities, regardless of market turns.
Read the full article at the Hartford Business Journal website