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and to continue Ware Malcomb’s strong relationship with CREW Network,” Godun said. “Since its establishment in 1989, CREW has provided a valuable platform for women in the commercial real estate industry to exchange best practices, foster new connections and advance their professional growth.” Godun joined Ware Malcomb in 2015, and recently was named director, sustainability, to develop and lead the firm’s sustainability-focused service offerings. She is a registered architect in the states of New York and New Jersey, a LEED and WELL Accredited Professional and a Fitwel Ambassador, dedicated to advancing the knowledge and practice of wellness and sustainable design in the built environment. She has worked on numerous sustainable projects and participated at both the national and local levels of the US Green Building Council, Godun received bachelor’s degrees in architecture and fine arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. Van recently started as the President of the AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey, an AIA component covering Northern New Jersey. He has served on
the board of trustees for the past four years with more than 600 members. As President of the Architects League of Northern New Jersey, he will be involved in overseeing of the chapter, which includes public relations, programs/ events, scholarships, education of associate members towards licensure, communications, legislation and serving as a liaison between the state and national efforts. Additionally, Van will be focused on recruiting, member engagement and implementing new initiatives for the year. “I am honored to have been chosen as President of the AIA Architects League and to return as a section trustee for AIA New Jersey,” Van said. “It’s a privilege to carry on the legacy of this distinguished organization. This role offers me the opportunity to contribute to its rich 96-year legacy and it also presents a chance to enhance Ware Malcomb’s visibility within the AIA community and the broader industry.” Van joined Ware Malcomb in 2021 as a senior project manager and was promoted to regional operations manager.
LEADERS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENCY ROLES Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, announced two leaders based in the firm’s Newark office have been sworn into presidency roles of local industry associations. Erica Godun, director, sustainability, is president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network for the 2024 calendar year, and Sean Van, regional operations manager, is the president of the AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey. SECURE Godun has been an active volunteer and board member at CREW NJ for eight years. Ware Malcomb professionals have been actively involved with CREW Network for more than 20 years and, in that time, several firm leaders have served on CREW chapter committees and boards. The firm regularly sponsors the association at the national level as well as more than a dozen regional CREW chapters and events. “It is a great personal honor to work with my colleagues on the board of directors
be on the table as a possibility, even if they aren’t flush with cash to make a deal. They have a strategic plan and know how they want to grow, but are also creative and responsive to opportunities that present themselves (opportunistic). Small business thinking says there’s no point to consider M&A – it’s only for the “big firms.” Plus, “Who has time for that?” ■ Thinking about performance metrics. Entrepreneurial thinking says that firm performance metrics are like gauges on a machine. There are many to be monitored and they can help management predict what is going to happen before it actually does. They also believe the more eyes there are on those gauges the more likely things won’t go out of control. Small business thinking says the only metrics that are important are utilization and cash basis P&L, and the owners are the only ones who need to see those “gauges.” Everyone else should keep their heads down and work. Am I making my point here? There really are some fundamental differences in entrepreneurial thinking and small business thinking. And that “thinking” makes a huge difference in what ultimately happens with your business. Mark Zweig is Zweig Group’s chairman and founder. Contact him at mzweig@zweiggroup.com.
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turnover and relationships are crucial to the company’s long-term success. People are valued and not treated as if they can be easily replaced because they cannot. Because people are so important, entrepreneurial thinking says some employees could actually make more money than some principals. Small business thinking says people need to be good order-takers. They should do whatever they are told and their purpose is to free up the time of the principals. They should always earn less than the owners. And if they don’t like something, “too bad.“ They can find a new job. ■ Thinking about marketing. Entrepreneurial thinking says marketing is crucial to the company’s success. It is an investment in the firm and not an expense to be minimized. It has to be funded good times and bad, and good marketing can make a huge difference in the firm’s long-term performance. Small business thinking says marketing should only be funded if the company “can afford it.” The real (but probably unspoken belief) is that marketing doesn’t really do much but you are supposed to have it (so they do). But it is a cost to be minimized in any case and less important than design and production. ■ Thinking about mergers and acquisitions. Entrepreneurial thinking says mergers and acquisitions should always
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THE ZWEIG LETTER MARCH 18, 2024, ISSUE 1529
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