What led to your synergies with DSP Design as an exclusive member from the region to ONE Global Design?
Michael Stanley: Ten years ago, companies had limited choices in selecting the best A&D firm to handle a clients project that delivered top-end design and professionalism in addition to the vital regional knowledge that makes a project epic. A company would need to hire a regional firm that did not have the expertise and capabilities or, they would hire one of the largest global design firms and not receive the personalized service and creativity they needed. ONE Global Design was founded to deliver all of this-from global experience and capabilities, to regional and cultural knowledge. Clients that use ONE Global Design and our member firms get projects created, managed and delivered by the individual firm partners and principals. This owner-led and managed model delivers the best client project experience possible. Of course, it is expected that each aspect of a project is created and delivered with the highest level of quality, service and professionalism. From day one, we knew DSP delivered this to their clients.
Can you shed a few positives that in your opinion position DSP to stand out as an Architecture & Design Firm?
Michael Stanley: A few years ago, ONE Global Design identified specific global regions that were strategic to our alliance growth. The India sub-continent was high on the list of many of our members, as many of our member firms have global clients that have current and future project potential in India. We knew of DSP and were aware of their fine reputation and experience in workplace and commercial design. Our interview and vetting process is consistent. Before selectively inviting complementary firms to join ONE Global Design, we look for three things: 1. Independently owned and managed, with Partner/Principal day to day involvement. 2. We invite only the very best firms in their respective cities, firms that deliver in terms of work, service and accountability. 3. And lastly, each firm, and ONE Global Design in total, all share a client-first mentality. As we met with the three leaders of DSP, as well as many from their team, we found that they met each of these criteria at the highest level. It was a unanimous decision to bring DSP in to our alliance, and they have added tremendous value back to the group.
Your thoughts on how the partner firms at ONE Global Design are steering through the pandemic?
Michael Stanley: The COVID pandemic has created tremendous challenges and also opportunities for the ONE Global Design organization. When the pandemic materialized and the first cases were identified outside of China, many of our forward-thinking members got in front of the curve and created strategies for sustaining their businesses, keeping employees working safely, and developing efficient and effective processes for servicing their clients. ONE Global Design initiated scheduled Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls to share our individual firm experiences, discuss tactical and operational thinking and process, and help each other through some of the most dynamic days and weeks that started back in March. Our Workplace Strategy committee developed a thoughtful survey that addressed the physical, emotional and psychological issues of our total workforce. The survey is compelling in that it addressed the fact that peoples expectations on the workplace are shifting faster than ever before, and it is critical to have a better understanding of those shifts as organizations prepare to open their doors again. Collectively, ONE Global Design has over 1600 A+D professionals on our worldwide roster, and 300 of them took the survey the first day it was made available. Our next iteration of the survey is going to our various network of clients and partners and we expect a tremendous result total, as well as vital information to share. Its fascinating to see how the ONE Global Design member firms are all working diligently to help their clients current and future working environment prosper, and also have had to handle this very challenge for their own firms. We have learned that the strength of the entire membership is especially powerful when we are all working together.