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OPINION
Kindling for growth
Zweig Group experts share their insights on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small, entrepreneurial AEC firms.
M ore than five decades of experience in AEC industry leadership and expertise were on display during Zweig Group’s recent Fireside Chat Webinar. Using the format of a classic fireside chat, Mark Zweig, founder and chairman of Zweig Group, and Chad Clinehens, president and CEO of Zweig Group , explored topics and questions centered around the unique challenges and opportunities specific to small firms in the AEC industry. In anticipation of Zweig Group’s 2024 AEC Small Business & Entrepreneurship Forum , coming to Atlanta May 21, the pair discussed resources and opportunities that will help small, entrepreneurial firms navigate the complexities and challenges of the AEC industry.
Luke Carothers
The event’s moderator, Chad Coldiron, director of development and a principal at Zweig Group, set the stage for the discussion, outlining responses from small business owners within the AEC industry pointing toward the need for more tools and resources. Clinehens opened the discussion by pointing out that, within the wide-ranging AEC industry, there are a massive number of firms that could be considered small businesses. However, according to Clinehens, after discussing some of the challenges and opportunities specific to small businesses in the AEC industry at last year’s ElevateAEC Conference, he came to understand that the challenges associated with defining what it means to be a “small” firm or business stem from a lack of resources, which was part of the inspiration for Zweig Group’s AEC Small Business & Entrepreneurship Forum in May. Building on these
ideas, Zweig also spoke to the importance of firms understanding and being clear about their plan for the future. By clearly defining goals and strategies, Zweig believes small businesses are able to put themselves in a much better position to take advantage of opportunities – despite their size. Another headline topic during the conversation centered on the unique challenges small businesses in the AEC industry face – particularly when it comes to today’s hyper-competitive landscape. Zweig pointed out that, in this landscape, small firms can struggle to compete when it comes to resources such as working capital. However, facing these unique challenges, he again reiterated the importance of being clear about company goals for the future, including around firm
See LUKE CAROTHERS , page 8
THE ZWEIG LETTER APRIL 19, 2024, SPECIAL ISSUE
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