Architecture & Engineering Firms

We continue our A&E trend discussion with trusted Clayton & McKervey partner and Zweig Group principal Jamie Claire Kiser. In this installment, we discuss critical ownership trends to keep in mind. One of the biggest trends is the significant uptick in private equity participation and what this means for firm owners.

Trusted C&M partner and Zweig Group principal Jamie Claire Kiser continues her conversation about A&E trends, this time discussing critical staffing drivers that may impact A&E firms in 2022 and beyond. As those of us working in professional service firms know first-hand, attracting and retaining people is the top issue.

When it comes to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for A&E firms, conventional wisdom suggests that healthier businesses always have bigger numbers. While that’s generally true, there can be a lot more to metrics than just whether they’re going up or down.   What’s optimal for the size, growth stage, and market considerations for one business won’t necessarily be right for yours.

The dual pressures of emerging inflation and the “Great Resignation” have prompted A&E industry leaders to rethink their approach to attracting and retaining the top employees they need to stay competitive.

A&E firms have faced a flurry of changes in the past few years. From tax laws to workforce trends to coronavirus impacts, leaders must manage increasing amounts of uncertainty. To gain some clarity, we spoke to Jamie Claire Kiser – a managing principal at Zweig Group – about trends affecting the A&E industry.

By consolidating operations with allied companies or expanding their consumer base through strategic mergers, many businesses were able to survive the pandemic. As businesses attempt to return to “normal” it’s important for sellers to prove the staying power of their company and be prepared for higher scrutiny into their valuations.

Employee attraction and retention is a vital competitive factor for architecture and engineering (A&E) firms. Beyond the obvious price and technical considerations, success on any project really comes down to the skill and judgment of the people who are going to execute it.

Even if you don’t have current plans to buy or sell, now is a great time for you to refresh your awareness of M&A essentials. As an architecture or engineering firm owner, M&A considerations should be part of your long-term strategic planning whether or not you have a specific deal in mind.

In this video, we discuss essential preparation for a transaction to ensure you and your business are in the best possible position. Watch as A&E Industry Leader Kevin Johns, Private Client Services Leader Margaret Amsden and Zweig Group Managing Director Jamie Clair Kiser share insights on transactions and related estate planning considerations.

Attracting and retaining a winning roster of top talent demands a creative focus on both compensation planning and cultural factors that matter to the professionals who create today’s engineering and architectural marvels. Here are some compensation planning and cultural considerations to help promote A&E talent retention.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans can help facilitate succession planning while offering special advantages for owners and employees of architecture and engineering firms, including significant tax benefits. Learn more about the benefits of an ESOP and discover why you should consider one for your A&E firm.

According to a peer-reviewed study from Stanford University, “Zoom Fatigue” is a real thing. Here are some tips to help you overcome this problem and clear the mental fog that occurs when being in front of the camera all day.