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Conference call: Lessons learned Each week, The Zweig Letter features commentary from top-flight leaders of AEC firms. Here is a compilation of how they handle, and move beyond, failure.
By The Zweig Letter Staff
J OHN HILTZ, PRESIDENT OF OHM ADVISORS I took over as president in January 2009 after serving as vice president of operations for a number of years. Up until 2010, our firm had accumulated so many suc- cesses that I thought to myself, “This job is easy.” What I didn’t recognize was how much the stimu- lus dollars introduced by the Obama Administra- tion did for us. Once 2010 hit and the stimulus dol- lars were behind us, reality set in fast. While 2010 and 2011 were tough years and we were fortunate not to be hit nearly as hard as many other firms, I learned that the job is a lot tougher than you think. You need to be willing and able to make some tough, timely decisions, and you only succeed as a team. Many firms tried to cut their way to success. We were fortunate and pushed for growth during the worst of times. I think the decision to focus on maintaining our team during difficult times truly paid off. MATT BURNS, PRESIDENT OF BURNS ENGINEERING Hold people accountable and make changes quickly. Also, part of moving ahead is having some failure.
MIKE COOPER, MANAGING PRINCIPAL AND PRESIDENT OF HED, INC. They say it can take years, sometimes decades, to build a strong relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, and only a single bad experience to tear that all down. Unfortunately, I know this to be true. On the flip side, I also know that all proj- ects will experience bumps in the road. It’s how we address and resolve those issues that can help strengthen relationships. We don’t run from is- sues, we solve them and keep moving forward. “I’ve never termed any event in my life as a failure, but as an opportunity to learn what not to do the next time.” RAMESH GUNDA, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF GUNDA CORPORA- TION Delegation does not excuse you from respon- sibility. AL BARKOULI, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF DAVID EVANS AND ASSO- CIATES, INC. The biggest lesson is related to decision-
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