MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: Assimilation is not integration.
If your acquisition integration plan is all about getting the acquired firm to follow all of the acquiring firm’s policies and practices as quickly as possible, you’re doing it wrong. In virtually every acquisition, there will be something that the acquired firm is doing better than the acquiring firm. Empower the integration team to look for these nuggets and present them to you for potential adoption. Looking for more M&A success tips? Check out PSMJ’s AEC Mergers & Acquisitions Summit coming to sunny Palm Beach, FL on February 18-20.
TALENT OPTIMIZATION: Design collaboration on purpose because it will not happen organically.
In today’s hybrid environments utilized by most firms, collaboration must be intentional. Schedule project kickoffs, milestone reviews, and mentoring conversations to occur when teams are physically together. High-performing firms treat in-office time as collaboration time, not quiet individual work done at a different desk.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Don’t just benchmark profits…benchmark what drives profits.
Too many AEC firm leaders compare a few top-line metrics like net revenue per employee or operating profit margin and stop there. High-performing firms benchmark deeper indicators instead: net payroll multiplier by project type, return on overhead, accounts receivable collection rate, and the historical trends on these metrics. This gets to what is really driving your firm’s profit margins and cash flow. Ready to benchmark your firm’s financial performance against the AEC industry’s most robust and comprehensive data set? Participation is now open for PSMJ’s 2026 AE Financial Performance Benchmark Survey. Only participants get access to discounts and other exclusive benefits.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: This common mistake is why you aren’t getting more leads from LinkedIn.
Project announcements and award posts on LinkedIn can build general awareness, but they won’t generate many concrete leads. The most effective AEC firm leaders are using LinkedIn to comment on emerging market trends, top-of-mind client challenges, and lessons learned from real projects. Authentic and valuable insight positions you as a trusted advisor and that is what generates new relationships.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: Stop rewarding tenure and start rewarding visionary thinking.
Boards and executive committees at AEC firms often reflect longevity more than leadership impact. Refresh governance by elevating leaders who drive collaboration, develop talent, and grow clients across studios or markets, not just their own silo. In fact, as many firms navigate new challenges around AI, consolidation, and changing business models, there has never been a better time to bring new thinking into the boardroom. Ready for more new ideas to position your firm for growth in a changing environment? Secure your spot at PSMJ’s AEC Business Accelerator Lab coming to the beautiful Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California in April.
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