100: Purpose Built Software for AE Firms with Matt Cooper, BQE Software

Design Development

Matt Cooper is the CEO of BQE Software, which offers business management solutions for the architecture and engineering industries. He holds an industrial engineering degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Stanford. With experience at GE Healthcare, Boston Consulting Group, Bain Capital, and Serent Capital, Matt has a strong background in optimization, strategy consulting, and software growth, positioning him to lead BQE’s mission to enhance efficiency in the AE sector.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes talks with Matt Cooper, CEO of BQE Software, about leadership and the evolution of the architecture and engineering (AE) industry. Matt shares insights from his career at GE Healthcare, Bain Capital, and Serent Capital, highlighting key strategies that shaped his leadership style.

He discusses the founding of BQE Software, which serves over 5,000 firms globally with tools for financial management, project accounting, and resource scheduling. Emphasizing a customer-centric mission, Matt introduces BQE's CORE values: Customer Obsession, Openness, Respect for Everyone, and Excellence.

The conversation addresses common inefficiencies faced by smaller AE firms and how BQE’s solutions improve project-level financial management and operational efficiency. This episode provides a thorough overview of the industry’s challenges and the impact of leveraging the right software for growth and productivity.

Key Takeaways:

• Customer Obsession: Focusing on customer needs and feedback drives BQE Software’s growth.
• Efficiency in AE Firms: Automating tasks and managing project-level financial data reduces inefficiencies.
• Leadership Values: The CORE values—Customer Obsession, Openness, Respect, and Excellence—are crucial for organizational success.
• Industry Challenges: Many small to mid-sized AE firms lack purpose-built software, leading to missed optimization opportunities.
• Continuous Improvement: Ongoing customer feedback and investment in product development are key to long-term success.

Resources:

• BQE Software Official Website
• Book Mentioned: The Jolt Effect by Matthew Dixon and Ted McKenna
• Book Mentioned: The Challenger Sale by Brent Adamson and Matthew Dixon
• Book Mentioned: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

For more insights and to hear the full conversation, tune into the episode and stay connected for more enlightening discussions on Design Development.

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