Strategy and Ownership Transition a Conversation with Will Swearingen 

We recently sat down with Will Swearingen, Director of Ownership Transition at Zweig Group.

Known as “the leading research, publishing, and advisory services resource for design firms in the AEC industry,” Zweig Group offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, from newsletters and market research reports to management consulting and events such as the Elevate AEC Conference.

Listen in as Will discusses the latest things happening in the design industry as of March 2021, where lockdowns persist across the U.S., and remote work is part of the new normal.

Will peels the curtain back on how leadership in firms big and small are planning out their next steps in the face of continued uncertainty. He also discusses how company owners can take these insights to prime their businesses for success, whether they are committed to their firm for the long run or intend to prepare for a graceful exit.

All of this and more on this episode of The Zweig Letter podcast.

In this Episode:

• [05:10] The talent retention problem: “How do we keep our people?”
• [08:17] Planning for an exit and communicating to the team to inspire them to take ownership
• [18:41] An example of a successful transition by one of Zweig Group’s clients
• [22:52] ESOPs as a vehicle for the evolution of ownership in the design industry
• [29:04] Why it’s never too early to seek counsel regarding ownership transition
• [33:15] Takeaways from Zweig’s Elevate AEC Conference
• [38:34] Why your replacement does not have to be a replica of yourself

Get in Touch with Will Swearingen: 

Will Swearingen on LinkedIn

Email Will!

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