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Conference call: Brenda Arvidson President and CEO of Stonebrooke Engineering (Best Firm Civil #41 for 2017), based in Burnsville, Minnesota.

By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent “W e have found that ‘growing’ our employ- ees has been much more successful than bringing in more experienced talent,” Arvidson says. A CONVERSATION WITH BRENDA ARVIDSON. “We approach any failure as a learning experience and an opportunity to connect with a future client or contact.” The Zweig Letter: In the event of failure, how does your firm react? Brenda Arvidson: We approach any failure as a

learning experience and an opportunity to connect with a future client or contact. We reach out direct- ly to the stakeholder, meet with them face to face if possible, and find out from them exactly how we can improve in the future. Continual improvement is a crucial element of our company and is a cata- pult for growth. TZL: Monthly happy hours and dog friendly of- fices. What do today’s CEOs need to know about today’s workforce? BA: Engaging our employees with fun outings and an open work environment is very important to all of our employees, but especially to our younger engineers. In most cases they come to us directly from college and are looking for more than a job. They are looking for extra activities to enhance their lives and to make a stronger connection to their work environment. When I talk to interns or

Brenda Arvid- son, Presi- dent, CEO, Stonebrook Engineering

THE ZWEIG LETTER Septe

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