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Microdesk, an architecture, engineering, construction, and owner operators (AECO) consultancy, has been an integral part of the AECO technology evolution and a key player in building a unique work environment. Microdesk’s success has led to staff growth throughout their 12 offices, including four within California.
Earlier this year, Microdesk announced it would be relocating its mid-town Manhattan office to a larger, 10,084 sqft office space at 5 Penn Plaza in September 2016. The catalyst for the move is simple – a growing team of AECO and Application Development professionals. In Chicago, the Microdesk office has doubled in size in the past year, expanding from consulting and sales services, to now house the majority of the marketing staff as well. As the construction boom continues throughout California, Microdesk's has seen tremendous growth in working with top AEC clients from Silicon Valley to SoCal.
So how has Microdesk been able to build such a strong company culture that drives both business and attracts the top talent? Here are some ways the company has found success:
Career Growth and New Experiences
As Microdesk continues to grow, so do the opportunities for its staff. For example, Microdesk’s expansion to London, has given employees the ability to continue working for the company but in a completely different city and country. Cody Soodeen, Architecture Solutions Specialist, recently moved from our New York City office to our London office to work with Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and help grow the new office. Matthew Pavlovich, Engineering Solutions Specialist, is another example of being able to move to a new location, having transferred from our New York office to San Francisco. With so many different opportunities available and the ability to work in new places with new clients, this has helped to keep Microdesk staff fulfilled and challenged. But career growth and Microdesk goes beyond just working in new places.
“In the time that I have been here I have seen several people who have been promoted within,” says Kristen Halligan, Account Executive in San Francisco. “There are always new opportunities to learn the latest and greatest new technologies in the industry.”
Microdesk has also invested in making sure that career growth happens through promotion and fulfilling employees’ career interests. Probably one of the most unique titles at the company is Peter Marchese’s, Microdesk’s Senior Technical Evangelist. Peter’s love for all things technology, especially when it comes to the AECO industry, helped him grow into his current role where he has now become the company’s technology guru. Microdesk long ago realized that the secret sauce to a company’s success, is making sure that employees feel fulfilled and challenged every day.
Unique Opportunities, Unique Culture
When companies provide unique opportunities and experiences, it helps attract and retain the best talent. From working with Columbia University on the Manhattanville Project in New York City, to developing the revolutionary BIM to Asset Management solution, ModelStream, Microdesk staff have the opportunity to touch every aspect of the AECO industry. By providing employees unique opportunities to excel and stretch themselves, companies drive innovation from within—which can help drive revenue. As the AECO industry continues to evolve through technology, Microdesk has focused on being able to provide off-the-beaten-path career opportunities for people in the industry.
When Kevin Phillips, Director of Consulting in Chicago, had first learned about the unique opportunities at Microdesk he knew that it had the potential to be a career defining move.
“Microdesk is a good choice for someone that has a passion for the AECO industry and wants to have a well-rounded career,” says Kevin. “Microdesk offers unique job opportunities, which opens the door for employees to work with different firms on a wide variety of unique and monumental projects. In my role, I am able to work on complex problems and come up with interesting solutions. This is definitely not your typical AECO company, which makes for a great experience.”
A Culture of Rewards
Leaders are an integral part of ensuring a company’s culture stays intact, but it’s the hard work of the employees that can make or break an organization. Finding different ways to reward employees for their company contributions is a great way to build relationships and help ensure that your employees know they are respected, supported, and valued. This can range from providing employees free lunch on Fridays to giving employees gift certificates when completing a big project. One way Microdesk creates a culture of rewards is through the Gold Circle. Microdesk’s Gold Circle is an annual trip for employees and leadership who have achieved success and gone above and beyond in their work.
However, one of the biggest things that Microdesk has done to reward its employees was taking the entire company on an all expense paid trip to New Orleans for its 20th anniversary in 2014. This experience brought the entire company together, building lifelong memories and enhancing work relationships. Nivin Aboshaira, Architecture Solutions Specialist for Microdesk in New York, looks back at how the trip helped her feel more appreciative and fulfilled in her work.
“My favorite memory from working at Microdesk so far was the 20th anniversary celebration,” says Nivin. “That trip to New Orleans gave me the opportunity to meet all the Microdesk employees from all the different locations, and it was a great experience that made me fall in love with the company even more.”
Interested in learning more about Microdesk’s culture and becoming a part of the team? Check out our careers page and apply today!
