Here are my latest tips and tricks for improved AEC firm performance. See something that resonates? Make it happen at your firm! In so many cases, the difference between high performance and the rest of the crowd is simply a bias for doing and executing on good ideas...quickly!
See something here you want more info on or maybe even a tip that you just completely disagree with, let me know!
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Tying invoicing to milestones kills cash flow.
Milestone billing delays cash when the milestone falls after a period close. Use regular monthly billing with 30-day payment terms instead. This avoids “stuck invoices” and keeps money moving. Get more tips for faster payments and improved cash flow in PSMJ’s Successful AEC Financial Management Workshop.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: Integration starts before the Letter of Intent.
Too many firms treat integration as a post-closing project. The winners design the operating model during courtship (leadership roles, brand strategy, PM systems, and client transition plans). The first 120 days set the tone for the next five years; ambiguity is the enemy of retention…and ambiguity is what drives away top performers.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Shorten schedules to cut hidden overhead.
Long projects quietly drain margins through coordination costs and idle time. Compress schedules (even with overtime) because shorter durations reduce waste and overhead burden and produce more profitable outcomes. Make schedule velocity a key metric and challenge teams to redesign workflows for faster handoffs and fewer iterations. Get more tips for best-in-class project management at PSMJ’s AEC Project Management Bootcamp.
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: How would your ideal future self handle today’s challenge?
This is the question you need to instill in every future leader in the firm. When they have bad news for a Project Manager. When they need to confront subpar performance from a direct report. When they need to advocate for themselves on a new opportunity. Get your team to think about how the person they see themselves being in five or ten years would handle the current issue that they are facing.
TECH AND INNOVATION: Treat AI like a leadership initiative, not a software purchase.
AI initiatives don’t fail because of tools. They fail because firms don’t align culture, governance, and accountability. Build cross-functional ownership. Define success metrics. Drive adoption relentlessly. AI is change management disguised as technology. If you are ready to get on the offense when it comes to AI in AEC, grab your ticket for AEC INNOVATE today!
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