By its own admission, Kansas City, Mo.-based designer Burns & McDonnell can be a bit of a plodder when branching into new practice areas, a tendency it says sometimes requires patience from management.
But it's a proven model. Rather than diversify by acquisition, the employee-owned firm cultivates expertise from within. "Organic growth allows us to maintain our culture," says Scott Newland, general manager for the firm's Chicago office. "Instead of attempting to assimilate large groups of employees over short periods of time, we hand pick the best of the best."