Firm Culture
How different firms express and develop their firm’s culture, exploring various topics including enjoyment, generations, branding, and risk management.
Letter from the editor
By Sara R. Boyer, AIA, LEED AP B
I am obsessed with firm culture. Obsessed. This obsession came to me in an Oprah-style ah-ha moment a few years ago. My mantra had been, “Ask questions. If you are asking questions, then I know that you are thinking about what you are doing.” (I thank the patience of my mentors with respect to my tenacious question-asking.) Nevertheless, the mantra was useless. The questions were few and far between. The questions that were seldom asked were logistical, not probing. An epiphany came that we had to create a culture that is comfortable to ask questions. Peter Drucker said it best, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast….” My firm has spent the past few years cultivating that culture, especially for the emerging professional demographic.
This month’s Digest takes a different format, one of various industry professionals responding to a series of questions about firm culture, interview style. Peruse the responses from firms across the country: Baltimore, Orlando, Washington D.C., Columbus, and Kansas City. Questions range from cultural drivers to multiple generations in the work place.
If you are seeking information about a conscientious approach to defining, or perhaps redefining, your firm culture, Samantha McCloud, AIA offers thought-provoking strategies to dig deep and understand the what, how, and why of your firm culture via the Practice Management Knowledge Community’s continuing partnership with AIA Trust.
I hope you enjoy this quarter's edition of Practice Management Digest, particularly the different format approach. And as you read through the edition, consider what comes first in your firm? What is that driving force?
Five firms respond
1. Cultural driver: What drives your firm culture?
2. Enjoyment: Why do you enjoy working at your firm?
3. Generations: How does your firm address multiple generations in the work force?
4. Work-life balance: How does your firm support a work-life balance?
5. Change: Would you change anything about the firm culture? If so, please explain.
6. Brand: What is your firm brand? How does it drive the firm, or does the firm drive the brand?
Meet the contributors
Feature article
Firm culture and risk management
By Samantha McCloud, AIA
In our industry, firm culture takes many forms. There is arguably no one-size-fits-all solution in how to best guide the way people work. However, research shows that firm culture can be a powerful resource for positively engaging team members--or bring significant adverse outcomes. These three steps can help you conscientiously approach your own firm's culture.
Contribute to the Digest
The next issue of the Practice Management Digest will talk about sustainability from a practice management perspective, including the 2030 Challenge and updated energy code challenges Submission deadline is October 10.
We are always looking for topics that you would like to see addressed in an edition of the Digest. If you have topics related to practice management that you’d like explored or articles you would like us to consider, please contact Sara Boyer, AIA, at sboyer@moodynolan.com.