What’s new in Best Firms To Work For

These updates transform employee data into real understanding, helping AEC firms move from measuring culture to improving it.

For years, Zweig Group’s Best Firms To Work For Award has been one of the AEC industry’s most trusted benchmarks for employee experience. Today, that experience is powered by Zweig Insights – our interactive platform that delivers real-time benchmarking, analysis, and visibility into your firm’s employee data. 

As firms face increasing pressure to recruit, retain, and engage talent, the need has shifted from simply measuring culture to truly understanding it – and acting on it. 

This year’s updates reflect that shift. 

From data to insight 

One of the most meaningful enhancements to the Best Firms To Work For program is the expansion of our Qualitative Analysis feature. 

Originally introduced as an optional add-on, Qualitative Analysis is now included as a standard part of the program. This AI-powered tool analyzes open-ended employee survey responses and provides firms with a clear, structured summary of what their people are actually saying. For firms with hundreds of comments, this turns what was once a time-consuming, manual process into something immediate and actionable.  

The goal is simple: help firm leaders move beyond scores and into real understanding – what employees value, where friction exists, and where action is needed. 

Seeing the full picture 

Another major update is the introduction of longitudinal trend data within Zweig Insights. 

For firms that participate year after year, this unlocks a powerful new perspective. Instead of looking at results in isolation, leaders can now track how their performance has evolved over time – by category, by question, and across the full employee experience. 

This includes: 

For many firms, this is the missing link between measurement and strategy. It allows leadership teams to see whether initiatives are actually working – and where progress is stalling. 

Better visibility, better decisions 

Beyond new features, the platform itself has been significantly enhanced to improve usability and access to insights. 

Key updates include: 

These changes reflect a clear priority: making the data more usable across the organization – not just for HR or marketing, but for executive teams making strategic decisions. 

More than recognition 

The Best Firms To Work For Award has always celebrated firms that excel in workplace practices, benefits, and employee engagement. But today, it plays a much bigger role. 

It is the AEC industry’s leading employee survey and benchmarking program – designed not just to recognize top firms, but to help every participating firm improve. 

With a 150-question employee survey, benchmarking across key cultural metrics, AI-powered Qualitative Analysis, and year-over-year tracking, firms gain a clear, data-driven view of their employee experience. That insight can be used to strengthen recruitment, improve retention, and align leadership decisions with what employees actually need. 

The value of this data extends far beyond the award itself – it’s something firms can use to guide strategy, inform leadership, and drive performance over time. 

Turning insight into action 

Employee experience is no longer a “soft” metric – it’s a core driver of growth, performance, and long-term value. If you want to understand what your employees are really experiencing – and what to do about it – don’t guess. Benchmark it. 

Enter your firm by May 1, 2026 to participate in this year’s Best Firms To Work For Award.