Your Next Hire Might Not Be Human
How AI and Outsourcing Are Rewriting the Rules
Sponsored by BQE Software | Presented by Steve Burns, FAIA
Live Webinar Airing on February 12, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET
In an era where AI can draft proposals, automate invoicing, and even generate design options, the question facing firm leaders isn’t who to hire; it’s whether to hire at all. Traditional staffing models are being challenged by automation, global talent marketplaces, and an urgent need for agility. At the same time, the human dimension of business, culture, creativity, and trust is more important than ever.
This webinar will challenge long-held assumptions about what a team should look like. We’ll explore when it makes sense to invest in a full-time hire, when outsourcing or automation delivers better ROI, and how to build a firm that clients trust, even when your “team” looks very different from what they expect.
Whether you’re a solo practitioner, scaling your staff, or leading a larger practice, this session will help you rethink growth with clarity and confidence.
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Steve Burns, FAIA is a distinguished thought leader, Steve blends his passion for design and firm management with profound insights into emerging technologies. Over the past 2 decades, working directly with over 1,400 firm owners, Steve has significantly contributed to reshaping these businesses for enhanced growth and sustainability. Steve's career highlights include a 7-year tenure at SOM Chicago, founding BBA Architects in 1993 and growing it to 17 architects before its 2007 sale, and creating ArchiOffice, a groundbreaking project management software company acquired by BQE Software in 2010. Recognized for his significant impact on the profession, in 2009 Steve was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Currently, as Founder of The Well-Designed Firm, he focuses on leading AE firms to operational excellence, mentoring leaders to craft businesses as elegant and innovative as the architecture they create. |
BQE CORE is the award-winning firm management software, created by architects for architects, that project-based firms trust to run their operations for better project outcomes, and more profitable futures. Their fully integrated suite of intuitive tools with 24/7/365 support provides back-office automation to power front-office insights, making firm management more agile, informed, and data-driven. Learn more at www.bqe.com.
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in January 2026
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Reframe the hiring decision by evaluating the cost-benefit in the context of AI, automation, and global outsourcing.
- Identify when to hire for culture and client confidence, and when a contract worker or tool is the more intelligent choice.
- Recognize how prospects perceive your team and how to effectively communicate your strengths, even with a small staff.
- Explore the economics of modern firm-building, including talent amortization, scalability, and redundancy.
