December - 2020CONSTRUCTIONTECHREVIEW.COM9our clients but our firms internally, as well. A new way of critically reviewing all diversification of services, equity in the workforce, and wellness in the workplace has arrived. Resilient firms are focusing more on diversifying through digital service offerings and programming, as well as the emerging professionals best equipped to support these programs in the future. Leveraging these technologies become a competitive advantage where it was critical for survival in the Spring. Creativity sparked through these new technologies, and their data will encourage the expansion of critical design thinking and lead to better project solutions. These new solutions and service offerings are providing and enhancing current revenue streams in an economic downturn. Throughout the pandemic and recent current events, equity, diversity and inclusion have also held a long-overlooked spotlight in work and home life. Living our values and having tougher conversations in our personal lives has brought about a shift at home and in offices throughout the country. These all are becoming bigger considerations in the people that are hired, the mentors that are selected and the leaders that are promoted. As well as hiring strategically, A/E/C firms are looking harder inward to retain talent that they rely on for their long-term investment in people. HGA is committed to increased equity in the economy, within our own practice, in partnerships on our projects, and through designs, we create for our clients. We also see this shift in our competitors, collaborators, as well as our clients. Many Requests for Proposals now ask what you are doing for racial and social equity within our firm and teams. Like most future-forward design thought leaders, we are exploring what a more inclusive and equitable design process looks like and what it means to design at HGA. We are working to identify how systemic inequities have impacted the design of the built environment and community planning. That understanding then guides decisions in our daily work. Continually reviewing our internal policies, practices, and procedures through an equity lens and make changes as a result. In 2020 we have brought a diverse group of employees from every level of experience to the table to learn more about racial equity and help challenge our business as usual.In the healthcare design market as well as most others, designers thrive on projects with a sense of community focus and on purpose-driven outcomes. This disruption from COVID-19 will encourage creativity in design work that feels truly holistic and immerses our work in the fundamental benefit to human health and wellness for the communities we serve.While human health and wellness have been an important theme in the design of the built environment, it no longer just applies to things like daylighting and access to the outside. Now firms designing and building spaces for human occupancy now must consider health and wellness through a pandemic by making safer working environments and practices. Working schedules are also shifting and morphing to accommodate families and daily schedules that no longer demand an employee show up at an office. Now not only do employees and employers need to be flexible and resilient, but also workspaces.Resilient firms will be flexible enough to find ways to utilize technology to elevate their existing business practices and design, construction and engineering processes. Flexibility and creativity will be two key factors in the success of A/E/C firms in the upcoming years. We have adapted as a firm and in the industry to apply new ideas, processes and cultural adaptations to create better outcomes for our clients
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