TZL 1363

ELEVATE AEC VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE ELEVATE AEC VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE & ELEVATEHER SYMPOSIUM The 2020 event is the biggest experience Zweig Group has ever been able to offer, and it’s not too late to sign up! The 2020 Elevate AEC Virtual Experience is an eight-week event, providing attendees powerful thought leadership and networking opportunities through highly produced live interactions.

challenging ourselves to offer something not possible in the traditional in-person event. This program answers the call to elevate yourself, your firm, and the industry in unprecedented times. It includes both free and paid premium selections. The paid premium experience offers unlimited access to an expanded array of premium seminars, webinars, keynote speeches, roundtables, panel discussions, topical happy hours, workshops, and other premium learning and networking opportunities.

Driving Financial Results Webinar

This is not simply a virtual conference – it is a concentrated collection of knowledge and networking opportunities resulting from

1 PDH/LU

Solid financial management is crucial to the success of any company, and firms in the AEC industry are no exception. This short course provides an overview of business financial management – specifically tailored to our industry – to help firm leaders make informed decisions that drive results.

CHRISTINA ZWEIG NIEHUES, from page 1

“This is spot on! I resigned entirely. I look forward to returning to the workplace,” said one person. “Not surprised. I’m losing my mind working at home full-time with a kindergartner, first grader, and fourth grader. It’s truly a nightmare. Meanwhile I’m contemplating going back to school to get my construction management certificate,” said another. More than 95 percent of firms in the AEC industry have changed their work from home policies in response to COVID-19. The latest research, Zweig Group’s Q3 Impacts of COVID-19 on the AEC Industry Survey , found that a median of 80 percent of the AEC industry workforce is still working remotely. Add in revenue decreases (78 percent of firms are projecting a median decrease of 20 percent) , project cancellations, budget changes, and re-structuring, and many workers in the AEC industry are left feeling stressed and chaotic. While an informal survey of group members revealed that around 90 percent were in the same or similar job roles and compensation as they were pre-pandemic, there were also a few startling conversations about those who were currently unemployed and struggling. “I lost my job as a result of pandemic downsizing while my husband’s job grew exponentially. While it would be hard for me to have a full-time job with the current school situation, looking for one is disheartening. Most postings I see are for unicorn positions for half what the salary should be,” said one person. “I was also laid off. I’ve applied for nearly 30 jobs and not so much as a call back. I’ve never experienced this in my entire professional life,” said another. While there has been growing instability in the AEC workforce, there’s also a sense of camaraderie. For the individuals above, multiple group members responded back that they wanted to help and asked for resumes. Despite all the uncertainty, 51 percent of respondents to Zweig Group’s COVID survey feel that the economy will be in “somewhat better” or “much better” shape in 12 months. With the number of projects cancelled or delayed dramatically declining, the AEC industry needs to be prepared for a renewed return to work – something that will necessitate adequate and qualified staff. For more information on this topic, check out this upcoming free session on October 15 at 11 a.m. CST, during Zweig Group’s Elevate AEC Virtual Experience! Christy Zweig and Tyler Thompson will present Zweig Group’s insight into how COVID-19 has impacted firm financials, spending, and workplace policy. This session will share Zweig Group data gathered from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 up until October 1 and how this unique time period compares to historical norms. Click here to learn more. CHRISTINA ZWEIG NIEHUES is director of marketing and media at Zweig Group. Contact her at czweig@zweiggroup.com.

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Chad Clinehens | Publisher cclinehens@zweiggroup.com Sara Parkman | Senior Editor & Designer sparkman@zweiggroup.com Christina Zweig | Contributing Editor czweig@zweiggroup.com Liisa Andreassen | Correspondent landreassen@zweiggroup.com

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THE ZWEIG LETTER OCTOBER 12, 2020, ISSUE 1363

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