What Are the Most Critical Financial Controls for a Design Firm?

A growing number of firms are combining two major responsibilities into one role: chief operating officer and sustainability director. It’s a lot to juggle in a small firm, let alone a quickly growing one spread across multiple cities. But Allen Schaffer, COO and Director of Sustainability at Moody Nolan, has handled the two roles for almost two years now as they’ve expanded into new markets. In this Best Practice interview, Allen discusses the ways the two roles overlap and how they differ, how the firm is managing growth, and how success all comes down to having a plan and communicating.

Interview Takeaways

• Find the overlap in operations and sustainability
• Juggle the differences between two roles
• Look internally for operations and sustainability roles
• Engage in responsive architecture
• Strive for structured growth
• Lean into diversity
• Deliver solutions to clients and your team
• Monitor and adjust to stay on budget
• Use communication to stay on track
• Create strategic plans for sustainability
• Find consultants who challenge you
• Care deeply and look for others who do too

Show Links

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• Connect with Allen Schaffer on LinkedIn 
• Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn 
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