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FROM THE FOUNDER
Going through a change program?
Show everyone it’s not business as usual and your firm is in a new era – you may find it a helpful tool to reinforce your change program.
S ometimes when companies evolve – they have management transitions – or a new strategic plan – or they just get fed up with mediocre financial results – their management seeks to reinforce that change. In my experience, that’s also a great time to change up the physical facilities. Just saying you have higher standards for excellence and expect different behaviors from your people is one thing, but showing that in the office itself is another.
Mark Zweig
The overarching message is “things are going to be different.” So what can you do? Here are some things I have seen AEC firms actually do with their facilities over the years when they find themselves implementing major changes: 1. Move people around. Get teams that need to work together more closely together physically. Move people who don’t get along with each other close to each other to improve their communications, or farther away from each other so you can minimize their interactions. Move the new boss into the old boss’s office. “Shuffle the cards,” one might say.
2. Add more natural light. I have always felt that natural light is important to one’s mental and physical health, and there’s plenty of evidence out there for any doubters that proves it. Maybe you need to rip out some partitions or change entire interior walls to glass. Maybe some doors need to go or be replaced with glass doors. Maybe it’s as simple as moving stuff such as furniture or cubicle partitions away from windows so they aren’t blocked, or making sure the blinds are open as long as the sun isn’t too hot. 3. Repaint and recarpet. Clean up and brighten up. That color scheme from the ‘90s with forest green accent walls has to go, and those bad
See MARK ZWEIG , page 6
THE ZWEIG LETTER JULY 14, 2025, ISSUE 1593
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