Futurespace courageous conversations: Navigating economic uncertainty
Are you concerned about your company’s financial future? Do you have a steady workstream lined up for the next six months? Are there areas in which you could save costs? Do you have a long-term plan for managing economic cycles?
We’re coming to the end of another complex year in which we’ve experienced many changes, including a shift from strong economic growth to recession warnings, a new coalition government, and a drop in inflation. These are tough times to navigate and it can be challenging to remain upbeat when you don’t know what lies ahead.
During the workshop sessions at Futurespace 2024, we asked attendees to share strategies and ideas for managing financial challenges such as inflation, boom and bust cycles, and supply chain disruptions, including cost-cutting measures and leveraging technology. ACE Chief Executive Helen Davidson said bringing great minds and diverse experiences together resulted in some valuable discussion, and we’re sharing the insights below to help support you in navigating economic uncertainty, managing financial challenges, and positioning your organisations for long-term success.
Meet our Nelson/Blenheim Regional Chair Steph McLeod
Steph McLeod is Project Management and Commercial Leader – Water NZ at Stantec and the new ACE New Zealand Regional Chair for the Nelson/Blenheim region. She has on-the-ground delivery and commercial experience, as well as people leadership and conflict resolution experience, and is passionate about promoting our industry to ensure diversity and inclusion. We asked Steph about her career and what she brings to the role.
ACE firms continue to experience a slowdown in work – survey
We continue to hear from professional services consultancies that there is significant uncertainty and low business confidence. In July 2024, we surveyed ACE New Zealand members to understand the current environment and whether the announcements made by the Government in the last three months have made a difference on the ground, and what they’d like to happen next.
Connect the dots with The Pillars Competency Framework
We were super excited to launch The Pillars Competency Framework recently, our professional development roadmap for consultants in the built and natural environment.
The framework identifies the most critical non-technical skills and competencies required to thrive as a professional services consultant. Whether you’re an individual practitioner, a leader, a hiring manager or a business owner, the framework is a useful tool to establish where you and your people are at in your careers and create development plans to equip yourselves with the necessary skills for the future of work.
We asked Chad Williams, Beca’s Manager – New Plymouth Infrastructure and Industrial, for his thoughts about the framework and how he might use it.
It’s time to vote: 2024 ACE New Zealand Board and Regional Chair Elections
Voting opens on Thursday 27 June for the 2024 ACE New Zealand Board and Regional Chair elections. Who will you choose to support ACE at regional and national level?
Temporary Traffic Management changes – have your say
If you’re working in Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) you’ll be aware of some important changes with the move to a risk-based approach to TTM which replaces the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM).
These are important changes and professional services firms have a role in supporting the industry during the transition period.
Are you a practice manager? Join our new forum to share ideas
If you’re a practice manager at a consulting firm your work can vary widely, including finance management, HR, data security, general day-to-day office management and more.
Welcome to our newest ACE board members and regional chairs for 2023/24
We are excited to introduce you to our newest ACE New Zealand Board members and Regional Chairs for 2023 – 2024.