Dialog has been named among “Canada’s Best Managed Companies” for 2021 by Deloitte Canada. The annual list includes privately owned Canadian companies with at least $25 million in annual revenue. Dialog appears on the list this year as a “Gold Standard” winner, a nod to the firm’s third consecutive recognition by the annual program.

Canada’s Best Managed Companies are identified by Deloitte each year through a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices.

Dialog operates from five studios in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, and San Francisco, currently employing an integrated team of nearly 600 architects, urban planners, engineers, interior designers, and landscape architects. Led by a collection of more than 50 partners, Dialog has maintained a clear commitment to foster innovation and practice.

“COVID certainly caused us to pause and adjust our approach to executing our company’s strategies. Moving from five studios to 600 ‘home studios’ required a fast and evolving plan, supported by our leadership team and a core response team. These leaders focused on taking care of our people and our community, instilling confidence in our response to the pandemic, and on minimizing impact to our clients,” said Dialog managing partner Jeff DiBattista.

By design, Dialog has kept its organization flat through the years since its founding. Responsibility for advances in important areas like sustainability, innovation, and building portfolio ownership are led by grassroots teams that include individuals across all experience levels. These grassroots teams are nutured by management and they help instill ownership for critical aspects of design success across the practice.

“This recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Company differentiates us on many fronts, including in the critical pursuit of top talent,” said Jim Anderson, partner and Dialog chair. “We are thrilled to be celebrating this honour, especially after such a unique year in the life of our operation.”