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Stronger together: Lauren Chipman CEO of Chipman Design Architecture, a third-generation, family-owned firm based in Chicago, Illinois.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
W ith a background in design and the performing arts, Chipman brings a unique perspective to her position. Her entrepreneurial vision continues to bring a fresh, unconventional direction to the architecture and design firm, and she is a champion of community-based arts and design outreach. “I am accountable to my team members to ensure that they are well-trained and set-up for success,” Chipman says. “I am accountable to our clients to ensure that we are making them successful in their growth, and I am accountable to our leadership to continue to inspire them to lead to greater heights.” A CONVERSATION WITH LAUREN CHIPMAN. The Zweig Letter: How much time do you spend working “in the business” rather than “on the business?” Lauren Chipman: I think it’s incredibly important to have long-reaching SMART goals that are incorporated into
daily tasks. No matter your role in the company, it’s easy to get stuck in “blinder-mode” where you keep answering the never-ending string of emails, the daily interruptions of someone popping into your office, and the conference calls. “We pride ourselves on a flexible workplace and the ability to truly reach a work/life balance in an industry that has historically consisted of late nights and weekends in the office.” I plan my day the night before, leaving an open window at the start of the day to work on long-term projects, on the business, and the future that it holds for all of us. I have found that this planning not only allows my day to start focused (despite the beautiful chaos that may follow), but allows me to clear my head before sleep.
THE ZWEIG LETTER Septe
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