Newsletters
The rapidly changing climate is on everyone’s mind, whether the impact is felt with immediacy as severe weather in one’s own locality or the unease experienced from recent climate reports and increasing events that impact every place across the globe. The message for architects is becoming clearer every day – that the profession has a…
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The AIA Center for Practice is hosting a firm roundtable discussion at the AIA Conference in Chicago, Rising Strategies for Practice Innovation, building on sessions held at A’18 and A’19. This extended Friday afternoon session will include presentations, facilitated roundtable discussions, and resources for practice innovation.
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This Q & A interview with Mike Murphy, a licensed agent and President and CMO for Hagan Insurance Group, the administrator of the AIA Trust insurance programs for architects, helps to answer your questions about life and disability insurance.
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As the pandemic continues, it’s not surprising that consumers are more anxious about achieving their retirement goals than they were pre-COVID. Nearly two-thirds state that they feel at least some concern over how they’ll maintain their lifestyle in retirement according to a 2020 Equitable Consumer Pulse Survey.
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Do you know that most professional liability (PL) insurers offer a “pre-claim assistance” or “loss prevention” benefit to their PL policies? When you are confronted with a difficult situation on a project that has not risen to the level of a “claim” (i.e., no one has asked you for money or services to take care…
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After eleven years as a valued AIA staff member, Elizabeth Wolverton will leverage her skills, talents, and knowledge of the profession as the new executive director of the AIA Trust beginning in May.
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AIA’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan states that the mission of AIA is to “inspire and empower architects to improve society and transform the world.” A key tool to enabling architects to fulfill this mission is developing a better understanding of architect’s liability as the world changes around us. And professional liability is evolving due to climate…
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With the passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure act, architecture firms across the board can anticipate more work in the next few years. While the prognosis for the industry is positive, firms should take the time to establish meaningful fee collection practices so that they can remain financially solvent. Avoiding fee disputes with clients helps maintain…
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Together with the American Council of Engineering Companies, the National Society for Professional Engineers, and the American Institute of Architects, the AIA Trust participates in an annual insurance carrier interview and review of professional liability trends and risk management issues. Here’s a summary of the fall 2021 review.
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For small-business owners, the importance of employee benefits is a significant factor when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. The majority of workers prefer attractive types of employee benefits—like insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan—over pay raises. Whether you’re competing for talent or keeping the high performers you already have, small-business employee…
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Most architects and their employees are actively contributing to a retirement plan. Regardless of your personal situation, it makes sense to review the type of retirement plan that you have as well as your individual savings plan for retirement to make sure that you are maximizing your potential savings. The type of retirement plan, investment…
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Amy Slattery, AIA, is the 2022 AIA Trust Chair. Amy is the Founder and CEO of Odimo, a growing architecture practice based in Kansas City, Missouri which received the 2019 AIA Kansas City Firm of the Year Award. Odimo was also a Top 10 Finalist for the Greater Kansas City Chamber Small Business of the…
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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is a system of criteria related to the environment, social equity, governance and supply chain practices that measure how investments and services can be scored and screened regarding sustainability. Why is this important to you as a design professional? Let’s first define ESG. The four components when considering ESG criteria…
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Do you know that the importance of documentation cannot be overstated? From the outset of a project, it is important to have a signed written contract in place that clearly sets forth your scope of services, compensation, and anticipated schedule, as well as the legal terms and conditions governing your relationship with your client. State…
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Driving safety is of the utmost importance when a winter storm rolls in. Various types of weather events can significantly affect how you drive, and different situations call for very specific steps to stay safe. These tips can help you stay in control of your vehicle as you navigate the roadways.
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As the nation’s most experienced insurer of architecture firms, the Victor and CNA program has the largest base of claims to inform architecture firms of their greatest professional liability exposures and methods to keep those exposures from generating claims. For architectural firms, clients are the source of most claims, and they often influence third-party claims…
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These invaluable AIA Trust webinars were recently held live on critical risk topics—such as climate change, IPD, Mediation, and health insurance AND the recordings and handouts are now posted to the AIA Trust website, with most offering continuing education credits.
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A new AIA Trust risk report, The Risks and Rewards of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), focuses on the unique risks and rewards which architects may face when participating in collaborative delivery such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), Integrated Design Build (IDB), Integrated Form of Agreement (IFOA), Tri-Party Agreements, and other contracts which include risk and…
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As a firm owner, determining the type of health coverage you can provide your employees and their families can seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to knowing all of your options. There are a number of different health plans available to business owners in addition to traditional health plans. This information about…
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Offering a 401(k) retirement plan for your practice in which your employees can participate is a valuable benefit. Frequently, motivating your employees to appreciate and take advantage of this benefit can be a challenge. However, a retirement plan with engaged, informed and participating employees is a successful retirement plan.
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