Susan Young's
Amplify Blog

Creating Your A/E/C Succession Plan with Captain Obvious

a/e/c succession planning aec architect assertive communication building relationships construction firms construction marketing emerging leaders engineers family owned construction intellectual property internal communication interpersonal relationships listening mentors storytelling Oct 17, 2023

From our file marked: Watch the Gap.

C-suite executives in A/E/C know the value of intellectual property.

A generation of top execs worry about passing the torch when they retire.

It's overwhelming to think about gathering data on culture, history, finances, values, and projects.

All are critical to succession planning.

But few, if any, talk about the colossal gap.

Set aside data and bid packages for a sec. (Don't twitch )

What will the knowledge transfer look like without dizzying pie charts and spreadsheets?

AEC succession planning and business communication are markedly different post-COVID.

Our next generation of leaders expects emotional connections as well as data.

Intellectual property = storytelling. And wisdom.

If succession planning is on your mind as 2023 winds down, be sure you know how to transfer your knowledge through stories:

aec communication bid packages building relationships business storytelling communication coach communication gaps communication skills training communication training construction industry engineering executive training leadership communication professional development risk management sales presentations sales training seller-doers selling techniques shortlisted interviews Sep 12, 2023

Do you know this social abbreviation: IYKYK.

If you know, you know. (My adulting kids recently told me the meaning.) No judgment, please.

So, here's a loaded question for construction executives and principals...

Do you know when each person on your team last had sales or communication training?

This is a critical piece of risk management you probably haven't considered.

Risk management isn't limited to job sites or design reworks.

A/E/C firms lose market share, talent, and trust when teams can't confidently articulate their value. And their brand values.

Forget bid packages for a minute.

They need and want the storytelling and selling techniques for today's business world.

Your reputation and bottom line are on the line when you fail to see gaps in communication.

People who close contracts are exceptional communicators.

So, here's a scary fact:

Some 90% of the people in my A/E/C training programs have never attended a formal program until we met....