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Conference call: Andrew McCune President and CEO of Wade Trim (Hot Firm #76 for 2017), a 500-person multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm based in Detroit.

By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent

“O rganic growth is going to become more diffi- cult as recruiting staff is getting more diffi- cult,” McCune says. “Firms are going to have to de- termine whether a reduced organic growth rate will allow them to achieve their strategic goals. If not, they should be prepared to pay a premium for ac- quisitions that will allow them to add the skill sets necessary to meet their strategic goals.” A CONVERSATION WITH ANDREW MCCUNE. The Zweig Letter: While plenty of firms have an ownership transition plan in place, many do not. What’s your advice for firms that have not taken steps to identify and empower the next genera- tion of owners? Andrew McCune: I see very little interest or abil- ity in the next generation taking loans to purchase

ownership in companies. Current owners are going to assist the next generation in purchasing owner- ship and buying them out. They are going to need to do this with company profits. They need to de- velop a plan and implement it at least five, and like- ly 10 years, before they want to exit. “Don’t sit them at a desk, give them an assignment, and walk away. They’ll get bored, disengage, and leave the firm.” TZL: Monthly happy hours and dog friendly of- fices. What do today’s CEOs need to know about today’s workforce?

Andrew McCune, President & CEO, Wade Trim

THE ZWEIG LETTER Febr

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