Recently, it seems like labor is having a moment, and this shift has the potential to influence various aspects of the industry. According to polls, more than 70% of Americans view labor unions favorably, which could potentially have implications that trickle into the design and construction industry. Workers across different industries are flexing their collective... Continue Reading →
ESG by any other name: The imperative of resilient business models
Introduction In the rapidly evolving world of business, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles might be undergoing an identity crisis, but its essence remains unshaken. For professionals in the design and construction industry, ESG underscores the profound shift in our understanding of risk and resilience in business. ESG evolution: More than just an acronym At... Continue Reading →
Revitalizing America’s heartbeat: The call to champion homegrown industry
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enacted on November 15, 2021, unfurled the Build America, Buy America Act. More than just words on paper, this act is a clarion call to give procurement preference on taxpayer-funded public works projects to construction materials and products produced by companies and workers in the US. However, as is... Continue Reading →
Victor blog is moving!
After nearly a decade, the Victor Risk Advisory blog will transition to a new platform as we launch our new website in late July. Moving forward, all future blog posts will be integrated into the Victor website, and we will cease publishing on WordPress once the new site is live. Further instructions on accessing new... Continue Reading →
Permitting reform: A balancing act between progress and protection, and its impact on design professionals
When we think of the future, we often imagine a cleaner, more sustainable world powered by renewable energy. However, this dream remains elusive unless we address the bureaucratic hurdles that slow down our progress. Today, there is an ongoing debate on Capitol Hill surrounding permitting reform and there are implications for design professionals to consider.... Continue Reading →
Unpacking ESG: it’s about sustainable business models, not just environmental sustainability
Introduction As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts gain increasing traction, there is a common misconception that ESG in the design and construction industry is only about “sustainability” in terms of environmentally sustainable design services. However, ESG goes way beyond that—it is about sustainable business models. ESG performance, measured against internationally recognized ESG standards and... Continue Reading →
Debunking the myth: How ESG risks are actually financial risks
Some design firms have probably heard of ESG risks, which refer to environmental, social, and governance risk factors that can impact a firm’s performance, long-term value, and reputation. There is a common misconception that ESG risk factors are non-financial risks, which is inaccurate. In fact, many ESG risks pose significant financial consequences to businesses and... Continue Reading →
Bound by a common thread: Understanding the link between ESG and license to practice
While environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is increasingly becoming a focus in the design and construction industry, there remains quite a bit of confusion over the goals behind ESG and their impact on design firms. Some of the questions that seem to be percolating around ESG are: Is it about concern over profits? Is... Continue Reading →
Designing a better future: The importance of ESG for design firms
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly important to design firms for a variety of reasons. In this post, we will explore why ESG matters to design firms and how they can integrate these considerations into their projects and business practices. First, it's important to understand what ESG means. Environmental considerations relate to a... Continue Reading →
US climate law takes shape
As 2022 winds down and we look back, the biggest story (other than the war in Ukraine) was the passage of the most historic climate law in US history, the Inflation Reduction Act (Act). The new law aims to transform the US economy to align with the global urgency of taking action to mitigate the... Continue Reading →