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TRANSACT IONS ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS, ARCPLUS AND WILSON ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE Each a leader in their sector, three of architecture’s most successful practices have linked to establish a strategic alliance. Zaha Hadid Architects , Arcplus , and Wilson Associates , will offer clients wholly integrated project delivery at the forefront of architecture, design, and engineering technology. Zaha Hadid Architects continues to redefine architecture for the 21st century with a repertoire of designs that have captured imaginations across the globe, and Wilson Associates is a worldwide leader in hospitality design, working with clients who have global reach and reputations for excellence and creating interiors for some of the most acclaimed hotels and resorts around the world. Arcplus is China’s largest design group, covering civic, transport, and corporate architecture. Zaha Hadid Architects explained, “We see this alliance as a continuation of global

best practice, maintaining research and innovative thrust, where each of the firm’s individual strengths will deliver the most ambitious projects. The combination of design excellence, resources, knowledge, and sector leading expertise, enables us to deliver more sophisticated, high-performance, and high- value projects.” Leveraging technology to increase efficiencies and integrate stages of the design process that are at present typically disconnected across locations and disciplines, the teams will collaborate on research initiatives with a focus on high-rise buildings. Arcplus reaffirmed, “This team of global experts will be at the cutting edge of architectural and engineering technology, digital design, and energy efficiency.” The alliance brings together proven architectural, engineering, and interior design experience that when packaged, will deliver fully coordinated solutions worldwide,

providing owners and operators with one-stop solutions of multi-disciplinary services. Wilson Associates said, “The conceptual and creative force of Zaha Hadid Architects, Arcplus’ architectural and structural engineering excellence, andWilsonAssociates’ unparalleled expertise in hospitality interiors, together will offer next-generation design. Three highly decorated firms, each come with storied legacies and unparalleled reputations for innovative and imaginative designs. Together, we will work to collaborate on future proposals and provide advanced and practical solutions for international clients.” Zaha Hadid Architects, Arcplus, and Wilson Associates, are committed to a common goal: to redefine the future of design and architecture and deliver projects with long-lasting and positive impact in the built environment. The partnership will be formalized at a ribbon cutting ceremony in Shanghai, followed by celebratory events in London and New York City, in the coming months.

you’ll come up with a thought that neither of you would have considered on your own. ❚ ❚ Different perspectives. After the meeting, we each shared our perspectives about the meeting which were often unique impressions. This helps connect the dots and discover new ideas. ❚ ❚ More client connections. Introducing another team mem- ber to a client deepens the pool of relationships and creates opportunity to add more value and cross-sell other services. ❚ ❚ Experiential learning. This was my first economic develop- ment trip, and I learned a lot through observation and experi- ence (thank you, Brian!). ❚ ❚ More fun. As the Blues Brothers proved, it’s just more fun to travel in pairs. What’s the culture in your firm? Think about how you can accelerate the career path of your rising stars. Shed the conservative, measured approach prevalent in the A/E industry. Rather than concentrating client contact with principals of the firm, get younger staff in front of clients. They are fast learners; they are the future of your organization. GREG KANZ is marketing director for Shive-Hattery Architecture- Engineering. He can be reached at gregkanz@shive-hattery.com. “Your subject matter experts need to make time and space for others to learn. Most clients will appreciate the teaching and learning culture of your firm. The resiliency of your firm depends on a deep bench of talent, especially those with business and client development potential.”

GREG KANZ, from page 11

top-of-mind. Your subject matter experts need to make time and space for others to learn. Most clients will appreciate the teaching and learning culture of your firm. The resiliency of your firm depends on a deep bench of talent, especially those with business and client development potential. Invest the time and money even if the fees are tight. BENEFITS OF GOING TOGETHER. In addition to nurturing the next generation, there are other business benefits of two-person client visits. Brian Crowe, director of business attraction for Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Development Corporation, and I recently made visits to corporate headquarters in Chicago to pitch investment in Eastern Iowa. “I have done hundreds of these pitch meetings,” Crowe says. “Having another set of eyes helps process feedback and strategize next steps.” With idle time in Chicago traffic jams, Crowe and I talked about the benefits of the team approach: ❚ ❚ Better notes. While Crowe presented the case for invest- ing in Iowa, I was able to take notes and help read the room. Our collective memory was documented the same day of the meeting. “Shed the conservative, measured approach prevalent in the A/E industry. Rather than concentrating client contact with principals of the firm, get younger staff in front of clients. They are fast learners; they are the future of your organization.”

❚ ❚ Thorough debrief. Conversation in the car after the meeting is extremely helpful to processing the meeting. In some cases,

THE ZWEIG LETTER December 18, 2017, ISSUE 1228

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