🌆 ACE Club Digest - Looking to level up? Become more adaptable

Save the Date for the Spring Hang! Wednesday May 14th. Come grab a brew at Beer Authority in Time Square after work. Weather permitting we’ll be hanging on their outdoor terrace.

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Looking to level up? Become more adaptable

If you’re like me, the past couple months have probably sent you and your firm scrambling. But let’s also look on the bright side - everything going on also gives you a chance to step up.

In that spirit, here are 5 things you can do right this minute to navigate the volatility and add immediate, practical value to your projects and firm. Don’t let these ideas limit your imagination, either! They’re inspiration for dozens of ways that you can make an impact.

1. Push for properly engineered escalation language on every new subcontract while you still have leverage. The clause should spell out which SKUs count, the public benchmarks you’ll reference, and a clear approval path.

2. Lean in on early procurement and alternative “tariff-proof” specs. If your design still calls for Chinese curtain‑wall modules, flip the schedule: release that package first or swap to a domestic composite system and lock pricing now.

3. Map out your supply chain along the critical path. When you spot a single‑country bottleneck, present a diversifying option and the cost delta. Architects and engineers who can talk sourcing strategy alongside aesthetics suddenly have a louder voice in design meetings.

4. Over‑communicate with owners and lenders. Set a cadence of bi-weekly risk memos: cost moves, mitigation actions, and a clear statement on what you need from them—whether that’s faster pay‑app turnarounds or permission to buy and store material early.

5. Spin up a dashboard that merges live cost data, quantity takeoffs and any other data you have available in your project management software. Show how each decision you’re making impacts project budgets and schedules.

If your firm leadership is dragging their heels on adapting to the new normal, don’t wait to take action. Even small initiatives can set your project up for success.

Finally, never underestimate how valuable adaptability is as a professional asset. If you’re feeling your head spinning, that’s fine. Embrace it as an ongoing skill to master. Doing so will both protect your projects from volatility and set you apart as an indispensable leader within your firm.

📰 Our favorite reads, listens & watches

• High school students in York attended Construction Career Day

• Why Healthcare Construction hasn’t slowed, compared to other asset classes

• Construction Dive reports on Nvidia’s $500B investment in data center's

📺 Upcoming Webinars

• May 1st- How data and AI can drive efficiency in construction hiring

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Until next time,

Emma & Sawyer