194: ‘CEO as Knowledge Architect’, with Ellen Bensky and Christopher Parsons

TRXL

Ellen Bensky and Christopher Parsons join the podcast to talk about how Turner Fleischer built a digital twin of their practice. We get into what it means to intentionally work on the firm—not just in it—and how Turner Fleischer has operationalized innovation inside a service-based business.

Ellen shares how the firm protects time for internal research, why curiosity and empowerment are foundational to lasting change, and how knowledge management evolved into a strategic priority as the firm scaled from 60 to 250 people.

We dive into the tools, teams, and processes behind their KM system, how learning and teaching became part of the firm’s DNA, and how AI is being used not to replace people but to simplify and amplify expert knowledge.

Along the way, we unpack some of their most creative internal programs and reflect on the powerful role knowledge management plays not just inside the firm, but across the entire AEC community.

To learn more about Ellen Bensky and Christopher Parsons, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/194

To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co

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Episode Sponsor:

Knowledge Architecture

Knowledge Architecture builds knowledge management software for AEC firms. Our flagship software product is Synthesis, the leading Intranet + AI Search solution for AEC firms. Synthesis integrates with common industry software like Deltek, Unanet, Newforma, and OpenAsset. Founded in 2009, Knowledge Architecture is privately-held, employee-owned, and passionate about co-creating and sharing best practices to advance the state of knowledge management in the AEC industry. Learn more at https://www.knowledge-architecture.com/.

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