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Behind all great architecture and engineering work there needs to be an efficient, effective business operation in place. In his Business Behind Design blog, Steven Burns, FAIA, Chief Creative Officer for BQE Software—the company behind Core—and long-time managing director of an architectural practice, offers valuable advice about running a design firm. Topics include project management tips, financial best practices, marketing how-tos, plus advice for maximizing meetings, business software, recruitment and retention, and strategic planning. For more on BQE Software, visit: www.bqe.com.

Steven Burns | Nov 6, 2014

To build your strongest team, don't hire clones

To attract and keep talented individuals who are different than you, Entrepreneur magazine suggests a few foundational principles. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Oct 29, 2014

Why you should manage progress rather than people

Telling your employees to become more engaged and productive won’t work. But putting mechanisms in place that encourages their progress will. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Oct 19, 2014

What to do if your team is in a rut

Another brainstorming session, another slew of tired ideas. How can you push your team to be more creative and bring in new perspectives? SPONSORED CONTENT
Steven Burns | Oct 13, 2014

The problem with being a customer-centric organization

Kristof De Wulf, CEO of InSites Consulting, argues that the effects of customer-centricity typically don’t endure, leading only to temporary improvements in company performance. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Sep 25, 2014

Your business doesn’t always need to change

By now, the idea that organizations must adapt to maintain both relevance and market share is so ingrained that it’s been reduced to pithy sayings. But is constant adaptation always the best policy? SPONSORED CONTENT
Steven Burns | Sep 13, 2014

5 common questions leaders should never ask

Asking the right questions can help business leaders to anticipate changes, seize opportunities and move their firms in new directions. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Sep 13, 2014

Why CEOs shouldn’t be afraid to ask for outside help

An oven-overlooked factor in assessing the success of a leader, according to organizational development consultant Brook Manville, is his or her ability to go far outside the organization to get help in solving problems. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Aug 16, 2014

Decoupling the professional services firm

Business consultant Tim Williams authored a recent LinkedIn post that highlights the emerging trend among professional services firms toward “decoupling,” or consciously separating the high-value services that are scarce from the low-value services that are plentiful. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Aug 4, 2014

7 habits of highly effective digital enterprises

Transforming your firm into a “digital business” is particularly challenging because digital touches every function while also demanding the rapid development of new skills and investments. SPONSORED CONTENT

Steven Burns | Aug 4, 2014

What AEC executives can do to position their firms for success

Most AEC leadership teams are fastidious about tracking their hit rate–the number of proposals submitted minus the number of proposals won. Here are three alternatives for increasing that percentage. SPONSORED CONTENT

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