As we extend our brand leadership in 2020 and beyond, we are excited to shine a brighter spotlight on our people, and the opportunity that’s unlocked through the infrastructure they create and the legacies they leave.

As the world’s premier infrastructure firm, we define this category in the broadest sense. We see infrastructure as the foundation of the world in which we live, work and play. And in the same way that we’ve broadened the view of infrastructure, we’re also elevating our vision. It’s bigger than us.

Our vision reflects our boldest aspirations for a better world — a world where infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone.

Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, we believe infrastructure powers possibilities to help people and communities thrive. See how our vision is coming to life.

Our brand is so much more than a logo. Built from the inside out, it is who we are and what we stand for – the sum total of the hearts and minds of our talented people. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing stories of inspiration and impact from our employees, clients and communities worldwide.

Follow us and share your story or join us to help shape the future for generations to come.

The post Building our brand from the inside out appeared first on Blog.

But who are the homeless, really? They are 53,195¹ unique human beings. They are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. They are each one of us, merely divided by circumstance.

I have the great privilege of serving as the board president for the Downtown Women’s Center — the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on providing for and empowering women experiencing homelessness, as well formerly homeless women who are transitioning into new lives.

I visit the center on Skid Row each month, often catching an Uber from my office to get there. The 30-minute commute brings me to a 50+ block area in Downtown Los Angeles that feels like a war zone. Streets are filled with tents, trash and feces; hearts are filled with agony, fear and despair.

Without fail, the driver asks me why I’m headed to such a dangerous part of town. And with that simple question, I’m thankful for my opportunity to change one person’s view — to convert one Angeleno from bystander to agent for change.

I tell the driver that I’m on my way to volunteer with the Downtown Women’s Center — a safe haven for women who need help overcoming homelessness and poverty. A place where they can rest, enjoy a home-cooked meal, access clean bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities, and secure a change of clothes. A place to restore their dignity.

I can’t even begin to recount the number of times I have heard people say, “The homeless chose this life” or, “They are all druggies and criminals” and, “If they only had a college degree, this wouldn’t happen.” The truth is, homelessness doesn’t discriminate.

Just last month, I heard the story of a woman who lost her job as a top-performing bank teller after her employer discovered she was living out of her car. Her apartment had become unaffordable due to a rent hike, so her car was her only form of shelter. After she was fired, she could no longer afford her car payment, and she soon found herself on Skid Row.

Los Angeles is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Growing up here, I’ve seen this epidemic unfold right before my eyes. Many people are one paycheck away from losing their home. In fact, a 2017² study showed that a five percent rent hike in Los Angeles County would send 2,000 residents into homelessness.

Domestic and sexual violence are also primary drivers of homelessness — in particular for the 16,410 women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. In many cases, the streets may be the only escape from an abuser. Research shows that on Skid Row, 40 percent of women are survivors of sexual assault, 55 percent are survivors of domestic abuse, 68 percent are survivors of child abuse, and 91 percent have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.³

The realization that we can all be vulnerable to this situation is a wakeup call. So, how can you help? Here are three simple ways.

First, be heard — be an advocate for change. Visit your local city website, like www.lacity.org, for information on ways to contact your designated council members and neighborhood representatives to push for more affordable housing and permanent supportive housing in your community. Second, help bring an end to NIMBYism (“Not In My Backyard” mentality) by debunking stigmas and educating your friends and neighbors about the root causes of homelessness. Third, and perhaps most important, be kind. When you pass by someone who is experiencing homelessness, look them in the eye. Smile. Let them know they matter.

One action, one conversation, can have a ripple effect that makes a world of difference as we work together to ensure no one has to live on the streets.

Learn more about the Downtown Women’s Center at www.downtownwomenscenter.org.

References:

1. https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=2059-2018-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-presentation
2. https://www.zillow.com/research/highlights-rent-homelessness-16131/
3. https://www.downtownwomenscenter.org/violence-against-women/

The post The homelessness divide — it’s a thin line appeared first on Blog.

As ArchTam looks to deepen connections with the communities in which we operate, this was a question I had top of mind during a recent conversation with an inspiring group of people — all part of the National Millennial Community — to talk about brands and the millennial generation. Learn more about the organization and the interviewees below.

1/ Research shows that millennials reward brands that make their lives better and are more likely to look past trends and instead gravitate toward brands that stand for something real. As future leaders of governments, businesses and organizations, does this statement ring true for you?

Ariana Nikmanesh: While I believe millennials reward brands that make their own lives better, I would go further and say that millennials reward brands that make the lives of others better. For example, I’m loyal to a company that donates 50% of its profits to help children with pediatric cancer in the United States. Not only does the company provide quality products, it also facilitates support of a greater cause.

Woody Joseph: Personally speaking, there’s great value in allying with those who assist the betterment of our society, be it economically, politically, environmentally or socially. Coming from a household that emphasized the value of each and every dollar, it’s critical that I’m confident in the establishments where I choose to spend that dollar.

Shelbey Prusia: If I see my money and support being used in a way that helps people, animals or the environment, I’m more likely to support that brand. Advocating for the greater good is better than sticking a well-known name on it.

Aymon Sukkar: Core values drive us to make choices within the marketplace that create demand for services/products that are designed and manufactured with social and environmental justice taken into account. We reward brands that live our values.

2/ ArchTam’s reason for being is to improve lives and communities — from delivering clean water and energy, to planning new cities and restoring damaged environments. What would inspire you to learn more about an organization like ours?

Ariana Nikmanesh: Powerful storytelling — specifically about the impact of your projects locally, nationally and worldwide. Hearing the stories of the things you’ve built, how they’ve improved society, and the stories of the individuals you’ve helped along the way would inspire me to learn more.

Anubhav Maini: Besides learning about what a company does, I would be inspired to not only learn about the lives of the people who were impacted, but also about the individuals who helped make it happen. If I can relate to these people, I may feel more strongly about the brand and would consider working there myself. 

Betsie Garcia: Highlight the employees who love what they’re doing. Big or small, they’re making an impact. I would absolutely like to learn more about a company with a people-first policy — a company that has an interesting work culture with fascinating and diverse people. Millennials are not just interested in names and brands; we’re interested in the people behind those brands.

Shelbey Prusia: This generation is extremely social-media focused. People get their global, national and local news through social media articles circulating through their feeds. People want more of a personal relationship with an organization. They want to see live tweets, interaction and updates. People don’t want to know when you’ve finished a project; they want to be part of that project from beginning to end. 

3/ How does the strength of a company’s brand impact your decision to pursue employment with an organization?

Ariana Nikmanesh: A strong brand leads me to believe the company has resources to support individuals in their entrepreneurial pursuits. As someone who enjoys autonomy and creativity, I feel working for a strong brand would provide me with the opportunity to create something bigger than myself. Along with having the resources to pursue bigger goals and dreams, strong brands also provide a sense of culture and purpose. I want to work for a company that stands for a purpose recognized by the community at large.

Anubhav Maini: In general, I feel more inclined to pursue roles at companies that will offer the complete package — a fitting role, a great manager and colleagues, the brand, the pay, the potential to grow and the culture/incentives. A strong brand is a motivator while seeking employment, but not the only one.

Betsie Garcia: I’m interested in finding employment with companies where I know my voice, as an employee, will be respected; where I’m able to pursue my talents and grow; and where I’m trusted to fail because it’ll provide a learning opportunity.

Woody Joseph: The aspects of a brand that help determine my interest in seeking employment center around its values pertaining to employees; its responsibility as an entity with political, social and overall influence; its historical standing; and how effectively it enacts its mission.

4/ What advice do you have as we look to share our story more broadly with the millennial generation?

Anubhav Maini: Millennials love “snackable” content, i.e., videos, interactive/cool GIFs. You already have the stories; it’s now about documenting them and getting the word out.

Betsie Garcia: Don’t go looking beyond what you already have available to you. Start the story with your people. Let your employees be your influencers on social media. Let them be voices of the company.

Woody Joseph: Have a means for partnership (a call to action) for campaign initiatives. Showcase active involvement with quantifiable results to provide credibility. Ensure your intentions are truly authentic. Most importantly, find the “why-should-I-care” factor.

Aymon Sukkar: We’re not much different than previous generations. The major difference is the historical events each generation lives through. We’ve grown up in a time in which human activity has caused so much destruction to the planet, and we’ve had to question the decisions of previous generations and make new choices. For many of us, it’s very important to see companies create sustainability programs that focus on setting and meeting carbon reduction goals. Authenticity is also important. An organization can claim they support minority groups and equality, but clearly taking that risk publicly and communicating their core values in such a way is rare in today’s market.

ArchTam leadership met with the National Millennial Community team to share ideas at our Century City headquarters in Los Angeles.

About the National Millennial Community

The National Millennial Community was founded in 2015 by Bill Imada, Chairman and Chief Connectivity Officer of IW Group, Inc. Bill has brought together a community of millennial thinkers who strive to change the conversation about the millennial generation. In their effort to change the conversation, the National Millennial Community has executed multiple think tank conversations with key influencers in media and business.

The interviewees:
	Ariana Nikmanesh is a senior at the University of Colorado, majoring in marketing with a minor in political science. She serves as the university’s representative for the National Millennial Community, a group of millennial thinkers who aim to change the conversation about their generation. Additionally, she is chair of the Business School’s Student Advisory Council, providing insight to the dean and administration. Ariana is an advocate for women’s rights and a member of the Denver Women’s Commission. An Iranian-American, she consults for Disney, helping to ensure Muslim and Middle Eastern characters are accurately represented.
	Anubhav Maini is a first-year master of business administration candidate at Brandeis International Business School, specializing in marketing and data analytics. With a background in brand strategy and media marketing, he has worked for brands such as MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Anubhav strongly believes in the power of education and equal opportunity, and previously taught underprivileged children high-school subjects back in his home country of India.
	Betsie Garcia is a transfer student at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). A junior, she is majoring in marketing with a minor in graphic design. She transferred into Northridge from Ventura College in Ventura County, California. After the Thomas Fires, she joined her local Red Cross chapter to assist those affected by the devastation. Born and raised in Ventura County, the Thomas Fires struck home for Betsie and inspired much of the work she currently does as a student at CSUN.
	Woody Joseph is a graduating pre-law student studying public relations at the University of Florida. He is an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, National Association of Black Journalists and the National Millennial Community. Additionally, he is a research assistant in the STEM Translational Communication Center in the College of Journalism and Communication. With the experiences he gains, specifically in advocacy, he hopes to be well equipped to work in statutory law.
	Shelbey Prusia is a freshman at Eastern Wyoming College and will be transferring to the University of Wyoming in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While at EWC, Shelbey was co-editor for the school newspaper and actively involved with the National Millennial Community. After obtaining her journalism degree, Shelbey plans to earn a law degree, also at the University of Wyoming. Coming from a small town, she hopes to pursue a career in a bigger city, bringing her small-town values with her to complement a new urban lifestyle.
	Aymon Sukkar recently graduated from Sonoma State University with degrees in psychology and business administration. With a passion for organizational culture and tapping into the full potential of employees, he aspires to be an industrial-organizational psychologist. An AmeriCorps VIP-SE Fellow, he is building volunteer capacity at one of the top nonprofit community health centers in the United States. Additionally, he is a diversity training facilitator and, as a Syrian-American, consults for Disney ensuring Muslim and Middle Eastern characters are accurately and respectfully depicted. Aymon represents northern California as a member of the National Millennial Community.

The post Speaking with millennial change makers appeared first on Blog.

It’s been fascinating to learn the extent of ArchTam’s work, not just in LA but around the world. Our employees often say we’re the most amazing company no one has heard of. A global network of professionals coming together to help solve clients’ toughest challenges: delivering clean water and energy, creating new transportation systems, restoring natural environments, strengthening communities, shaping skylines.

In a way, we’ve found ourselves in the position of our brand needing to catch up to our business reality.

And there’s never been a more exciting time to be in the infrastructure space. The need is tremendous. Urbanization is affecting entire regions. Cities are transforming. New technologies are creating opportunity. In the face of climate change and uncertainty there’s crucial need for resilience and security.

ArchTam is in a unique position to address many of the world’s most pressing issues. We’re only limited by the magnitude of our clients’ dreams and aspirations.

We have an incredible story, and now it’s time for the world to hear it.

We’ve partnered with Oscar-nominated director John Singleton to produce ArchTam’s first television commercial. It tells the story of a young surfer from South LA who embarks on an early morning journey via the LA Metro’s Expo Line to reach Santa Monica beach by sunrise. It’s an honor to have a distinguished Angeleno, who’s been telling the story of this city his entire career, take interest in the work we’re doing with the LA Metro expansion.

ArchTam brings the best minds together to spark better ideas, connect neighborhoods and create opportunity. This innovative spirit is captured in the commercial and in our new tagline, Imagine it. Delivered. Both a call to action and a promise to our clients, the tagline says, bring us your impossible and we’re here to make it a reality.

As someone who’s had the privilege to become part of this team, I couldn’t be more proud to share the ArchTam story.

The post Imagine it. Delivered. appeared first on Blog.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #BeBoldForChange, made me wonder what I would tell my younger self when my husband and I decided to start a family. I remember the pure bliss we felt when we heard the words, “You’re pregnant!” And at the same time, I was overcome with intense worry as a new executive about what this decision would mean for my career.

Would I be able to keep up? Would I be passed over for a promotion? Did I have the stamina to be both a great mom and a great executive? How in the world was I ever going to squeeze back into my business attire? And the list went on.

Fearing the answers to all of the above, I hid my growing belly for as long as I could. When I had to leave early for doctor appointments, I snuck out the back door and left my office light and computer on to give the impression that I had just stepped out for a minute. I attended exhausting social events and sipped sparkling water in champagne glasses. I draped myself in pashminas.

When I could disguise my pregnancy no longer, I made the big announcement. While people were mostly excited about my news, everyone had an opinion — about everything. From breastfeeding to the length of my maternity leave. I heard countless stories, all well-intended, about the critical importance of staying home for the first few years with my child. Then the guilt set in. I wondered if I was a bad mom for loving my job and feared that my daughter would grow to love her nanny more than me.

Three months after my baby was born, I made the decision to return to work. I’ll never forget my first day back in the office, quietly enjoying a freshly brewed latte in the break room and taking in the silence. I realized that satisfying my passion for a profession that I love actually makes me a better mom. I came to understand that it’s not about the number of hours you spend doing one thing or another; it’s about being fully present in everything you choose to do and content with your choices. Through my work, I’m able to show my children that they can follow their passions, too — and still have plenty of love to give to those around them.

So, to that younger self and to anyone thinking about starting a family: Own it. Having a child is one of the most amazing, miraculous and incredibly challenging parts of life. The experience will reveal an inner strength you never knew humanly possible. I still don’t have it all figured out, and there are plenty of days when I feel defeated for missing a school event or buying a store-bought pie for the bake sale. But I find comfort in knowing that I’m not alone. I surround myself with incredible mentors and sponsors who cheer me on and pick me up when I fall, and I try to do the same for those around me.

Heather at the Girl Scouts of Greater LA for their “ToGetHerThere” luncheon celebration in November 2016.

I truly believe you can have it all — just not at the same moment. The key is to decide what the right balance is for you and your family and to lock arms with people who have your back and will support you every step of the way.

The post Being bold — as a mom and in a career I love appeared first on Blog.

One of the first women enrolled at UC-Berkeley, my grandmother, Margaret, was an entrepreneur who believed in me from the start. She looked after me often as a child, and I remember her marching in the door of my home and saying to my siblings and me with great authority, “When grandma’s here, the rules change.” Then off we’d go to a restaurant, each with a “budget” to spend on our dinner selection. This was not just a meal, this was a financial transaction.

When I was 10, she bought 100 shares of Wendy’s stock for me to “manage,” and when we (occasionally!) ordered fast food, we only ate at Wendy’s.

“This is your investment,” she’d say. “You’re a shareholder and we’re investing in your business.” Then she’d take me in to Wendy’s to purchase 20 hamburgers, and we’d give them to the homeless.

She gave me a lot of advice in her long, incredible life, and I credit her with teaching me that I’m a businessperson first — who happens to be a woman — and that understanding is what’s led me to pursue leadership roles throughout my career.

I’ve been blessed with so many incredible mentors on my career journey, and the lessons continue today. The best advice I’ve received so far is to always come to the table with a point of view and a willingness to say, “yes, I’ll do it,” and figure it out. This is the mindset that separates leaders. That’s why I encourage my team members to jump in and tackle challenges that aren’t their core strengths. I’ve seen so many people skyrocket into new opportunities by taking a leap that pushed them outside of their comfort zone.

There was an interesting study done on workplace gender differences. It showed that when a woman considers a new opportunity — say, a new job — with 10 qualifications, she would need to fit all 10 criteria before she’d apply, while a man might say, “I’ve done six of these things really well — I’m in, I’ll figure the rest out.” Many women feel this need to be perfectly prepared, and are so often fearful of failing. Perhaps that’s because as girls, we were taught to follow the rules and were rewarded for doing so. But in the business world, those who challenge conventional wisdom and take risks rise to the top.

I recently attended a networking event where one of the few open seats was at the head of the table. I watched as many women entered the room and grabbed a chair off to the side — as I’ve done countless times myself. Moments later, a man walked in and planted himself in that seat without hesitation. We have an incredible opportunity to change the life trajectory for our daughters by showing them that they can take risks, and they can sit at the head of the table (even when they’re terrified inside). We can teach them to “fail forward” and to not be afraid to color outside the lines — and the best way to do that is to show her firsthand how it’s done.

Heather Rim is ArchTam’s senior vice president and chief communications officer, overseeing all aspects of ArchTam’s enterprise communications including brand management, public relations, employee communications, social media and digital communications. She serves on the boards of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the Downtown Women’s Center.
LinkedIn: Heather Rim
Twitter: Heather Rim

The post #WomenExcel: Don’t be afraid to sit at the head of the table appeared first on Blog.