TZL 1375 (web)

not only changed the way we produced building documents, it opened an era of productivity that vastly reduced project development time and improved collaborative communications between the owner, architect, and contractor. “Forward thinking management is in our DNA and we believe that is what most distinguishes Bala from our competition.” Now we are in the genesis of the BIM era. This era will usher in digital transformation and again dramatically transform the AEC industry with productivity developments that will dwarf the post CADD era and challenge all of the AEC industry mores of the past. BIM offers the opportunity to create an intelligent digital building that can be optimized before it’s even built. The future benefit to property management is immeasurable. BIM has the potential to be the biggest disruption the AEC industry has ever experienced. The AEC industry was poised for a major disruption prior to COVID-19 and we believe the health crisis will accelerate the disruption. To best prepare the firm, we’re adopting numerous research initiatives focused on digital transformation – specifically areas such as digital twins and regenerative design. TZL: How has COVID-19 impacted your firm’s policy on telecommuting/working remotely? MA: Fortunately, we were already set up for remote working before the COVID-19 outbreak as many of our staff travel and work regularly between our regional offices. The basic infrastructure was in place. The initial policy changes were essentially focused on managing an entire workforce remotely. We are a true collaborative culture and the work from home environment changed everything – how we communicated, how often we communicated, establishing new forums for communication, and establishing guidelines for the home office. None of the policy changes were earth shattering – just common sense. For instance, to be fully present in a meeting you need your camera on. Do not attend a Teams or Zoom meeting while driving on the highway. Make sure you are properly illuminated and in a private space when on a Teams call. Dress properly for virtual presentations.

The larger question is how our policies on telecommuting will change post COVID. While we have not made any firm policy decisions yet, we anticipate that occasional work from home will be embraced more commonly than it was in the past. However, we are a collaborative culture and collaboration works best in person. Personal family health and safety issues will drive the conversation for the foreseeable future and will influence future policy on working remotely in the long-term as well. TZL: Trust is crucial. How do you earn the trust of your clients? MA: It takes a constant commitment to integrity and effective, timely communications. Consistent quality certainly helps build trust, but we also see project difficulties as an opportunity to build trust. Confronting challenges head- on and giving them priority assures a client that you have their best interests in mind all the time, not just when things are going well. TZL: Your bio says you’re involved with the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program at your alma mater, Villanova University. What is your role there? Tell me a little about your experiences with this program. MA: Entrepreneurship programs are gaining popularity in many colleges across the country. Villanova started theirs about 10 years ago and it’s prospering as a cross curriculum initiative that combines students from engineering, business, and arts and science. “Confronting challenges head- on and giving them priority assures a client that you have their best interests in mind all the time, not just when things are going well.” I serve on the Alumnae Advisory Board and speak regularly with classes in the program. Most participants are inspired by Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, but the university is responding to a call from businesses for graduates with more entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial mindsets. While I enjoy helping students with their projects and sharing my experiences with See FORWARD THINKING, page 8

HEADQUARTERS: King of Prussia, PA NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 186 YEAR FOUNDED: 1982

OFFICE LOCATIONS: ❚ ❚ Philadelphia, PA ❚ ❚ New York, NY ❚ ❚ Boston, MA ❚ ❚ Baltimore, MD ❚ ❚ Washington, D.C. PRACTICE: ❚ ❚ Mechanical ❚ ❚ Electrical ❚ ❚ Structures ❚ ❚ Technology ❚ ❚ Commissioning MARKETS:

❚ ❚ Corporate ❚ ❚ Hospitality ❚ ❚ Mission critical ❚ ❚ High-rise ❚ ❚ Science and innovation

❚ ❚ Mixed-use ❚ ❚ Healthcare ❚ ❚ Lifecare ❚ ❚ Transportation ❚ ❚ Multi-family

❚ ❚ Private school ❚ ❚ K-12 schools ❚ ❚ College/university ❚ ❚ Building infrastructure

UARY 18, 2021, ISSUE 1375

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