Navigating Waterfront Challenges: Leadership and Growth with Dena Prastos - Indigo River

Building Scale

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

Navigating Waterfront Challenges: Leadership and Growth with Dena Prastos - Indigo River

E112 • Dec 10, 2024 • 53 mins

Dena Prastos delves into her journey in waterfront architecture and her mission-driven entrepreneurship at Indigo River. She shares the challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business and the impact of creating New York City's waterfront code. The discussion touches on specialization and on-the-job training in AEC, delegation, and the balance between quality control and task outsourcing. Dena talks about leadership growth, managing senior leadership disagreements, and the role of consultants in scaling a business. The episode also explores evolving business processes, software tools, team feedback, company culture, and talent acquisition.

Key Points

Climate adaptation and resiliency in waterfront architecture are critical as sea levels rise and flooding concerns increase.
Trust, respect, and open communication are essential in building a strong company culture and ensuring effective team collaboration.
Leveraging advanced technologies, such as underwater drones and 3D mapping, can significantly enhance project accuracy and efficiency in the AEC industry.

Connect with Dena Prastos - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denaprastos/ Website: https://indigoriver.com/ Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/ Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

Speakers

Dena Prastos

Guest • 73%

Will Foret

Host • 2%

Justin Neagle

Host • 15%

Will Foret

Host • 10%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction to floating cities and writing the first waterfront code for New York City
0:45	Introduction of podcast hosts Will Foret and Justin Neagle
1:21	Sponsor: Technology Consultation Service
2:44	Guest Dena Prastos's background in waterfront architecture
6:08	Mission-driven entrepreneurship at Indigo River
8:23	Challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business
10:28	The impact of creating NYC's waterfront code
11:41	Specialization and on-the-job training in AEC
14:25	Delegating responsibilities and training challenges
17:16	Quality control versus task outsourcing strategies
20:08	Implementing accountability and performance improvement plans
24:38	Leadership growth and embracing the CEO role
26:04	Managing senior leadership disagreements and decision-making
27:45	The role of consultants in scaling a business
28:28	Evolving business processes and the importance of software tools
32:10	Lessons learned from Indigo River's rapid growth
36:10	Team feedback mechanisms and the value of annual evaluations
39:48	Intentionality in company culture and mission-driven growth
43:15	Talent acquisition and fostering employee development
44:48	Indigo River's 3-5 year vision and the future of AEC technology
47:01	Advice to a younger self and entrepreneurial insights
51:09	Final thoughts and career advice
52:05	Closing remarks and podcast outro

Transcript

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