Topic: Firm management

Avoiding Fee Disputes

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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The Importance of Employee Benefits for Small Business

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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A New Sustainable Standard for Architects

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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Practical & Tactical Retirement Planning Strategies for Architecture Firms

This webinar, presented by Equitable in conjunction with the AIA Trust, is designed to help firm owners and managers determine the best retirement plan strategy for their firms and how retirement plans can help to achieve business goals. Specifically, the 25-minute webinar will help you to: Determine which retirement plan contributions count toward PPP loan…

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Transitioning Your Firm for What’s Next

The AIA Trust organized a panel discussion for the virtual 2021 AIA Conference on Architecture. A panel of architects familiar with the importance of firm transitions shared their expertise about how vital planning for leadership succession is for a successful architecture firm — and what it takes to make that happen on an ongoing basis.…

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Client Selection: Number One Professional Liability Risk

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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Webinars on Demand

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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IPD Risks and Rewards

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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Alternative Healthcare Options

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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Encouraging Employee 401(k) Savings

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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