Industry Insights

In my last article I mentioned that the job search is often more challenging for people in their 50s. The truth is this bias towards younger (and often cheaper) employees is not

It amazes me every time. Many architecture firms come to us looking to fill a number of key positions. They make it clear from the beginning that they are only

In an interview for Inc. Magazine, Zappos.com founder Tony Hsieh once admitted that hiring mistakes had cost the iconic online retailer “well over $100 million” through the years. After briefly

To save money, many of the bigger architecture firms are trying to fill their ranks with less experienced, more adaptable employees. But as recruiting becomes ever more skewed in favour

I have seen this same story so many times. The principals of a successful architecture firm push off planning for a transition in leadership and ownership until they are nearing

So, let me start off by saying this article will not be a rundown of hottest technology to hit the architecture scene. True, things like holographic design, big data, virtual

The past ten years have brought revolutionary changes to practically every area of the architecture industry. No corner has escaped its share of disruption. Major socio-economic shifts and technological advancements

It has become common practice among many architecture and interior design firms to conduct an exit interview whenever a key employee decides to go somewhere else. Firms conduct exit interviews

Most people want to make a good impression when they start a new position. But when that job comes to an end, there is a tendency to brush off the

As the memory of the Great Recession starts to dim, and architecture practices big and small turn their attention to a re-energised and in many ways expanding market, opportunities for

Over the past few years, pressure has been mounting on project architects to get through their projects quicker. While a desire for an increase in efficiency may be nothing new,

Given today's hot job market for architecture and design professionals, many architecture firms are exceptionally focused on how they can adjust their incentives packages to attract marquee talent. But, they

In the previous two articles of this series I discussed who Millennials are and what they needon the job these days in order to stay motivated and loyal. In this final article, we'll

Some smaller architecture studios that I've dealt with feel that they are at a deep disadvantage when it comes to bringing in new clients or recruiting talented candidates. Bigger firms,

Many young architects just starting out in their career dream of working at a big name firm. These studios stand out like a beacon of opportunity of celebrity status, full

After the acclaim that followed the opening of Frank Gehry's Louis Vuitton Foundation museum in Paris two years ago, it would seem that modern starchitecture is as strong as ever.

Architecture firms today are facing a competitive landscape that favours both consolidation and collaboration as well as the ability to quickly adapt to changing trends. In this brave new architectural

There is an old Chinese quote about leadership that came to mind the other day: To lead people, walk beside them... As for the best leaders, the people do not

Due to shifting business models, a growing economy, and an aging baby boomer generation preparing for retirement, a significant number of small and mid-sized architecture practices are expected to hit

In the spirit of International Women's Day, I wanted to dedicate this article to the topic of women in architecture and perhaps give the issue a fresh perspective. It's well-known

Over the past few years, there has been a growing shift in recruiting among big architecture firms. More emphasis is being placed on young candidates who possess a broad skill-set,

Like many well-established industries, the field of architecture has certainly seen its share of disruption over the last twenty years.

Over the past five years, we have witnessed a significant uptick in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity throughout the architecture industry.

Some smaller architecture studios that I've dealt with feel that they are at a deep disadvantage when it comes to bringing in new clients or recruiting talented candidates. Bigger firms,

In my consultative work with the senior leadership of a broad spectrum of architecture firms, it never ceases to amaze me how many studios are still being led by principals who don’t have a handle on their firm’s day-to-day operations.

In my executive recruiting firm, we are witnessing the beginning of a seismic shift in the kinds of talent that architecture and designs firms are targeting for key positions. Today

Over the past few years, there has been a lot of attention on the fact that today’s workforce is more mobile than it has ever been.

M&A activity has been steadily growing over the last ten years throughout the architecture industry. In fact, a recent study by the research and consulting firm Zweig Group indicates that

Having worked with numerous senior leaders across a spectrum of architecture firms of all shapes and sizes, it never fails to amaze me how many of them still struggle to hold on to their top talent.

The use of modelling and design software among architecture firms continues to grow, bringing added accuracy, flexibility and efficiency to the design process. But underlying all of the benefits that

No matter where you are in your career, one of the most valuable assets you can have is a mentor to turn to who has faced comparable challenges, overcome obstacles, and achieved some level of success in his or her life that you aspire to achieve.

In the first part of this series we took a look at who Millennials are. In this article we will look at what Millennials in the field of architecture want

As Millennials continue to come of age and a new wave of architects settles into the workforce, there has been a lot of discussion about what this generation means for

Of all the challenges facing architectural firms today, figuring out how to win more work definitely sits at the top of the list. Yet, I find it interesting that many

Over the past couple of years, a “discounting trend” has been quickly making its way through the architecture industry. In order to win work, some architects are low-balling their competition

In my last post, Why Architects Should Never Compete on Price, I advocated that firms should never try to compete on price in order to secure work. Not only does price-discounting

When most young architects are considering whether or not to take a new position (or leave their present one), they typically look at the job's benefits- things like salary, location,

In the Architectural industry ‘Value Creators’ come in many forms. They’re not just the business developers generating revenue through winning multi-million dollar projects, they can be on the delivery side

A while back, personal wealth expert Ramit Sethi was promoting something called the 'briefcase technique' that he claimed helped him and many other people land their dream jobs, get a pay

Joe sat across the table from me with determined look on his face. He was a compelling candidate all around: experienced, confident, and talented. He had already spent years climbing

Over the past few years some of the biggest names in architecture have brought their firms together in order to secure a growing number of high profile international projects. It

A few of weeks ago, architecture firm Elenberg Fraser secured planning approval for a new luxury skyscraper in the heart of Melbourne. The so-called Premier Tower will be an elegant,

Architects are not just architects any more. These days they are Design Principals, Directors of Projects, BIM Managers, Chief Fill-in-the-Blank Officers or Fill-in-the Blank Leaders (where that blank can be

One of the biggest paradoxes in leadership is that many of the most powerful decision makers, trend setters, and influencers in the world can be some of the hardest people

As the fight for talent continues in the Architecture and Interior Design industry, the salaries that some candidates are demanding are getting ridiculously high. In my executive search and recruiting

Here's a riddle... What is the one asset that every single business on the planet has, the thing that has been proven to directly affect a firm's financial performance, productivity,

In my previous article, I mentioned that there is a very strong correlation between a firm's financial performance and the work culture it fosters. Those firms that reward personal development,

In 2009, Ursula Burns became the first African-American woman CEO to head a Fortune 500 company. The account of her rise to the positions of CEO and eventually Chairwoman of Xerox Corporation is

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the story of Ursula Burns and her rise to the top of Xerox Corporation to become the first African-American woman to head a

In 2009, Harvard Business School published the case study of Buro Happold, a rapidly growing British engineering firm that faced a critical shortage of the management and leadership talent needed to properly

A few years ago, I wrote about the growing counter-offer culture that has been spreading throughout the Architecture and Interior Design industry. The instant key employees hand in their resignation

Sometimes candidates ask me for advice on how to best apply for a particular architecture role. Regardless of how they approach me, what they all really want to know is

When they're done well, employee feedback programs can give your firm a real competitive edge. They can help employees improve in key areas, encourage innovation and collaboration, and can increase

I often work with talented, experienced Architects who come to me feeling like they have hit a wall in their career. They have been with the same firm for ten

Having a strong pipeline of high-potential talent is, without a doubt, one of the most vital factors to the long-term success of any Architecture or Interior design firm. As the

Have an important job interview coming up? Before you begin rehearsing your answers to those potential interview questions or polishing up your portfolio, first take a step back. While it

Earlier this week I wrote about the importance of researching a prospective employer before beginning the interview process. Not only will this help you to build up your confidence, it

Running a successful architecture practice has become more challenging over the last few years. Prior to the global recession in 2008, the biggest headache facing firms was finding qualified and experienced

In an earlier article, I discussed some of the benefits to young architecture candidates of working for a small studio. As an executive recruiter, I've found over the years that

A number of diverse, evolving factors are set to shape the way architecture projects are designed and built over the next year that will have architecture firms of all sizes

A number of people in the industry have been asking me to share my views on some of the new job titles currently circulating among architecture firms. So, here's my

I recently finished reading the book Disrupt Yourself, by Whitney Johnson. There are many notable ideas and advice on career transition and development in there, but one quote in particular

There is a popular perception that architects are an over-worked, under-paid, unhappy, and unappreciated bunch. While, the truth be told, many architects are quite content in their chosen profession, this

For all the talk of influence, artistic expression, innovation, and impact of the architecture and design industry, there is a rather inconspicuous undercurrent that rarely gets the attention it deserves.

One major mistake I see architecture and design job candidates making today is underestimating the impact of their online presence. There are generally two attitudes, and neither one is very

There has been as of late a collective grumbling among architecture firms that today's architecture students are not properly prepared for the daily challenges they are likely to face on

What happens when architecture professionals find out that they don't like to be architects? For those of who are fresh out of design school and only just starting your careers,

One of the most crucial factors to moving a firm forward is the level of passion, enthusiasm, and loyalty that exists among its employees (and by “employees,” I mean entry

You have finally landed your dream job in a well-regarded firm. The position matches your skills and career goals perfectly. It even pays well. Yet, you dread showing up to