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!
OWNERSHIP TRANSITION: Stock price becoming unaffordable? Widen the ownership funnel earlier.
Cf ownership is reserved for a small, late-career group, rising valuations will shut the door on emerging owners. Firms that introduce ownership concepts earlier (even at small levels) build both financial readiness and psychological commitment. Waiting until someone is “ready” usually means they’re already priced out. Learn more about the best practices (and unconventional thinking) for building a successful ownership program at PSMJ's Legacy by Design: AEC Ownershipand Succession Strategies Workshop. Registration is now open for the September 15-16, 2026 event in Denver, CO.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: Governance and management are not the same.
Many governance breakdowns in AEC firms stem from blurred lines (especially due to the inherent nature of many Board members also holding operational roles). The Board’s job is oversight, strategy, and CEO accountability. It is not project reviews, staffing decisions, or second-guessing operations. If your Board meetings feel like extended leadership team meetings, governance isn’t happening.
TALENT OPTIMIZATION: Sell the experience, not the internship
Top students aren’t looking for “an internship”...they’re looking for a launchpad. The firms winning the best interns are positioning their programs as real project exposure (not shadowing), access to senior leaders and mentors, and a clear path to full-time offers. If your pitch sounds like “you’ll help the team,” you’ve already lost to firms offering “you’ll build your career here.” Time is running out to get the latest insight and perspective on recruiting, learning & development, and knowledge management at PSMJ's AEC TalentMAX coming to Austin, TX on May 27-29, 2026.
STRATEGY AND GROWTH: Stop confusing growth with value creation.
Not all revenue is good revenue. Firms that scale intelligently prioritize margin quality and client fit over sheer volume. Growth that dilutes your culture, overextends your team, or compresses margins will reduce enterprise value (even if revenue is rising).
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Communicate early, often, and directly with clients.
Most project problems don’t come from technical failure. Instead, they come from misaligned expectations. A winning approach is to set expectations upfront (schedule, deliverables, constraints), provide regular and structured updates (even when there is nothing to report), and address issues before the client asks about them. PSMJ's AEC Project Management Bootcamp provides current and aspiring AEC Project Managers with hundreds of success-boosting tips to create happier clients and more profitable projects.
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