178: ‘Empowering Strategic Thinking’, with Matt Cooper
A conversation with Matt Cooper.
Matt Cooper joins the podcast to talk about unlocking efficiency in firm operations. We explore the challenges and opportunities within the architecture industry, primarily on the operational side, highlighting the underserved nature of firm management technology. Matt's relatively fresh "outside the silo" perspective proves valuable when applied to AEC as we discuss the advantages of tracking project data accurately and making strategic business decisions.
Watch this episode on YouTube:
Episode links:
Connect with the Guest
Books and Business Strategies
- David H. Maister’s Managing the Professional Service Firm
- Amazon Link
- A deep dive into the unique challenges of running a professional service firm, aligning well with the discussion on firm management software.
- Michael E. Gerber’s The E-Myth Revisited
- Amazon Link
- Examines why small businesses fail and how to create repeatable systems, which ties into BQE’s approach to software solutions for architecture firms.
AEC Firm Management & Business Tools
- BQE Software
- BQE Core Official Website
- The firm management software discussed in the episode, aimed at streamlining architecture business operations.
- QuickBooks
- QuickBooks Official Website
- A commonly used accounting software for small businesses, referenced in the episode as a baseline for financial tracking.
- Salesforce CRM
- Salesforce Official Website
- A major CRM tool that some architecture firms consider for business development, mentioned in comparison to integrated firm management solutions.
AEC Industry Challenges & Business Strategy Articles
- The Role of AI in Professional Services
- From promising to productive: Real results from gen AI in services
- Insights on how AI can enhance professional service firms, a theme touched upon in the discussion.
About Matt Cooper:
Matt joined BQE as Chief Executive Officer in 2023. His role is to ensure BQE becomes an increasingly Customer Obsessed organization, delivering great software and service to customers. Prior to BQE, Matt spent nearly a decade at Serent Capital, a leading investment firm focused on building great businesses. There, he helped roughly a dozen mostly bootstrapped software companies scale. After many at-bats (and tough lessons), Matt came to understand that the best outcome for all stakeholders came from putting customers first. Outside of BQE, Matt spends time with his couple kids and couple dogs.
