87 Starting A Design Firm

Today we speak with Alex Gore about starting a design firm. Alex Gore is principal and partner with Lance Cayko of F9 Productions, a residential and BIM creation design firm based in Longmont, Colorado.

He's the co-creator of RevitFurniture.com, which provides Revit families,  template files and tutorials for mastering Revit. Alex also teaches at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Environmental Design and Architectural Engineering departments and is the upcoming author of The Architecture of Thinking Different: Getting More Out of Design and Life.

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86 The Architecture Of Value: Part II

In this episode you'll discover:

• The 6 domains of marketing that you must be skilled in to succeed
• Tips for getting published in Trade Magazines
• Architectural Outlook for 2015 from the front lines
• How to break into emerging, international markets

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85 The Value Of Architects: The New AIA National Awareness Campaign Spreads The Word About The Value Of Architects

We talk with AIA CEO on what the AIA is doing to educate the world about what 'architects do'.

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84 Creating Value For Your Clients

Today we talk with Craig Park, is a principal with the Sextant Group. Craig is an author, speaker, consultant and former Chief Marketing Officer for two large architecture firms.

In today's edisode we discuss:

1. How to differentiate your firm (create your own niche)
2. What the most successful firms are doing today to stay 'ahead of the curve'
3. Personal information management - how to stay on top of your inbox and phone calls

 

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83 Creating Business Systems For A Successful Practice

Today is part 2 of my interview with award winning designer and founder of business of design Kimberley Seldon.

In today's episode you'll discover:

1. How to be exponentially more efficient through the use of business systems
2. The psychology behind raising your rates - it's not what you may think
3. 3 fail-safe tips for getting published in the magazine of your choice

Visit http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/ for additional information.

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How to Run a Great Design Business

How do we make our clients happy, get repeat business, and have them refer us to all of their friends? Finish your projects on time and on budget.

Obvious? Duh. Simple? Yes. Easy? Listen to today’s interview with Kimberley Seldon and learn why almost nobody does it and how YOU can.

Kimberley Seldon is the founder of Business of Design, an online venue for designers, decorators, stagers, and stylists to learn about the business side of their practice.

She also an accomplished personality both in the TV and publishing world, having hosted three television series, a regular role as a design expert in Cityline, she’s also the Design Editor for Chatelaine, and the Editor in Chief of Dabble Magazine

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Creating A Business Plan For A New Architecture Firm

Today we talk with Scott Larrick, who won the recent Architecture Business Plan Competition about his plans for his new firm.

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80 The Early Days Of Starting A Sustainably Focused Architecture Firm

In this interview, you’ll hear from the winner of the recent Architect Business Plan competition, architect Scott Larrick. Scott is the founder of Eleven:59 Studio, and architecture firm based in Austin, Texas.

In this episode you’ll discover:

 

1. How Scott Larrick built his firm in the early days.
2. How he identified his target market.
3. How he got his first projects.
4. What business development strategies worked, and what didn’t work.

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How I Started A Community Design Centered Architecture Firm

Part 2 of my interview with architect Katherine Darnstadt of Latent Design. Discover the behind-the-scenes story of how she started her community-design based architecture firm in Chicago.

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The Power Of Community Design - Katherine Darnstadt AIA

Katherine Darnstadt, the principal and owner of Latent Design, a Chicago architecture firm, talks to us today about her passion for community based design.

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Top Insights From The Business of Architecture Show

Discover some of my key takeaways from the interviews on the Business of Architecture show. In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to make sure you hire the right employee - everytime
• A simple, 'no-brainer' way to build your network by keeping in touch with important contacts (without having to remember anything)
• The #1 key ingredient to being an effective persuader (master this selling skill and you'll never starve for work again)

Visit http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/ for more like this.

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BOA76 Architects Creating Homes

In this episode you'll hear from two residential architects...who dare to take on the AIA.

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Career Advancement in Architecture

Today architect Ryan Hansanuwat talks about how he went from intern to partner in less than 3 years in his Round Rock, TX architecture firm.

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How To Create An Architect Business Plan

Today we talk with architect Ryan Hansanuwat, a finalist in the 2014 Architecture Business Plan competition put on by Charette Venture Group.

Whether you have a mature firm looking to re-define its direction or a start-up firm that is charting its course, you don't want to miss this episode. Listen in as we discuss the important elements of an architect business plan.

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7 Strategies For Making Architecture: Part 2

In this episode we talk about the last 3 of the 7 strategies for making architecture that Dan Willis outlines in his book "The Emerald City and Other Essays On The Architectural Imagination".

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7 Strategies For Making Architecture - With Daniel Willis

In this episode we discuss 4 of professor Dan Willis' '7 Strategies For Making Architecture'.

They are:

• collaboration and conviviality (or take the client to lunch)
• the respected professional and the troping of limitations
• unconventional practices (or the 'day job')
• the imaginatively flawed and provacatively incomplete

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Architecture Firm Management For Practice Success

Architect and author Rena M. Klein literally wrote the book on small firm management. Listen in as we discuss how to get extraordinary results (and avoid common mistakes) of small architecture firm management.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to keep your firm on track as a principal (even when you aren't around)
• Common management mistakes of small architecture firms
• How to avoid being penny wise and pound foolish
• The #1 key to maximizing the productivity of firm employees
• How to create a safe 'exit' by mentoring 2nd generation leaders

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Competing in the Architectural Playing Field with Rena M. Klein

In today's episode we talk with Rena M. Klein, business planning and management consultant about strategies and best practices when competing in the architectural playing field.

Rena M. Klein is the founder of RM Klein Consulting, a business and management consulting firm catering to small to mid-sized architecture and design firms to help their firm run better.

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Redesigning The Practice Of Architecture To Reach The 95%: Interview with Thomas Fisher

In today's episode we're back with Thomas R. Fisher as he encourages architects to expand their horizons, think outside the box, and figure out ways to bring the power of design to the 95%. He also shares with us the University of Minnesota College of Design's pioneering works that aims to redefine and redesign the practice of architecture.

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The Case For Higher Architect Fees

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Starting An Architecture Firm - And Getting Clients Who Appreciate Good Design: Interview With Architect Stuart Magruder

Stuart Magruder, principal and owner of Studio Nova A Architects, Inc. talks about starting a design oriented architecture firm. He also shares the 'secret' that the world's most prominent and successful architects use to produce creative, design-oriented projects.

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Architect Speaks Out and Not Reappointed To Oversight Committee

What are the ethical and moral obligations of architects as stewards of the built environment? Stuart Magruder is the principal and owner of Studio Nova A Architects, Inc. In this episode we talk about why he was not re-appointed to the Bond Oversight Committee of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

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Architecture Firm Management - Part 2 with Herbert Cannon

Herbert M. Cannon is one of the nations leading experts in the management of A/E firms. With over 25 years of “hands on” experience in the A/E Industry, Herb has held top management positions in a number of high profile firms.

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Architecture Firm Management with Herbert Cannon

Today we talk with Herbet Cannon about successful architecture firm management. Herb Cannon is one of the nations leading experts in the management of A/E firms. With over 25 years of "hands on" experience in the A/E Industry, Herb has held top management positions in a number of high profile firms.

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Behavior Change and Time Management

Dr. BJ Fogg is the founder and director of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford. Fortune Magazine selected BJ as one of ten “New Gurus You Should Know.” 

 

An experimental psychologist, Fogg has created breakthrough methods for changing human behavior. At his guest home on the Russian River, he teaches small groups of industry innovators how to apply his methods in his monthly "Boot Camp in Behavior Design." Over the past two years he has personally coached over 20,000 people in his breakthrough method called Tiny Habits. 

He is the author of "Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do," the first book to explain how technology can be designed to influence people. Fortune Magazine selected BJ as one of ten “New Gurus You Should Know.” 

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What is Your Vision?

In the second part of my interview with Ray Kogan, he reveals the big picture and then guides us down, step by step, towards achieving your firm's vision.

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Do You Have A Roadmap?

Interview with author and strategist Ray Kogan about creating a roadmap for your architecture firm.

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Running a Residential Practice with David Andreozzi

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Resources for Residential Architects with David Andreozzi

From loathing the AIA, to leading the knowledge community of the Custom Residential Architect's Network, David Andreozzi talks about his experience as a residential architect focused on high-end, luxury design.

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Developing Residential Projects and Building Your Own House - Zeke Freeman

In this episode we learn:

• How to build a successful business network
• Tips for starting an architecture firm
• How to make and build valuable relationships
• About Zeke's experience cold-calling for new work
• How Zeke designed and built his own house as an architect

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Developing Your Own Projects with Guest Zeke Freeman

See BusinessofArchitecture.com for additional information on this episode and to find others like it.

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Architecture Firm Succession Planning And The Power Of Design

Do you have a plan to pass your firm on to someone else when you retire? For many solo architects, the firm dies when they go into semi-retirement.

But it doesn't have to end that way.

oday we talk with Lisa Henry, principal at Greenway Group, about ownership succession planning and ownership transition for architecture firms.

We also discuss what architects can do to take a leadership role in the design process. What is the fine line between taking marching orders from the client and overstepping our bounds as our client's advisor? Find out in this episode of Business of Architecture.

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Strategic Planning for Architecture Firms

Today we are joined by Lisa Henry, FASID, LEED AP. She is a princpal at Greenway Group, a company that gives design firms information, knowledge and counsel that enables them to focus on what they care most about: doing great work. In today's episode we discuss creating a strategic plan for your architecture firm, and how following that strategic plan can help you reach your goals.

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Conquer Markets with Mariana Idiarte

International business consultant, Mariana Idiarte, is back. This time she's here to share with us strategies on how to not lose yourself and establish your architecture business in new markets.

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Design Constracts and More with Mariana Idiarte

In this episode international business consultant Mariana Idiarte is back for round 2. She tell us about what she learned negotiating architectural contracts for small and large firm.

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The Secrets to a Successful Architecture Firm: Business and Design Philosophy

In today's episode, we continue our interview with the principles of Modative - a successful Los Angeles design-build architecture firm that was founded in 2006 and has grown over the past few years. Today we discuss their goals and the principles behind their firm's success.

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The Secrets of a Successful Architecture Firm: Inside The Modern Architecture Firm Modative

In today's interview we take a look at a successful Los Angeles design-build architecture firm. Founded in 2006, this firm has grown leaps and bounds in the past few years. The firm melds a focus on design with an all-inclusive delivery model that includes construction services. Today we sit down with the firm's principles to discover the lessons they've learned about running a successful architectural practice over the past 7 years.

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How To Boost Your Firm Profits - WIthout Finding More Clients

Discover why Steve Wintner's book sold out. We discuss the tips for successful architecture firm management, including accountability, employee retention, and how to calculatean hourly billing rate.

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Management Tips for a Successful Architecture Practice

Listen why Steve Wintner's book is selling for over $200 on Amazon.com. We discuss the tips for successful architecture firm management, including accountability, employee retention, and how to calculate fees.

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Demonstrating Your Value

In this episode, we discuss escaping the commodity trap and how to get clients to recognize your value.

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Creating a Growth Plan for an Architecture Firm

In this episode we discuss specialization, competitive analysis, client research, and creating a growth plan for an architecture firm. Our guest is Bob Fisher, principal of Greenway Group and Associate Publisher at Design Intelligence.

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Getting Press For Your Architecture Work - And Other Tales Of Starting A Design Firm

In 2009 Cavin Costello packed his bags in Connecticut after graduating with a degree in architecture in the midst of the great recession. From the start, he recognized and acted on the importance of taking calculated business risks and investing in the business. In this episode, Cavin talks about the two tools he uses to find work at his young firm: his website, and the news media.

 

Cavin has an interesting strategy for getting featured in the media: just asking. But he does more than that. In this episode he shares his roadmap for getting featured in the media.

 

We also discuss:

 

His number one pointer for starting a residential design firm.

The number one marketing tool that Cavin and his partner have leveraged to get new work.

The digital tools that Cavin uses to keep overhead low and collaborate with clients and staff across the country.

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Never Give Up! Starting a Design Firm From Scratch With Cavin Costello

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Negotiating Architectural Contracts, business tips from Business of Architecture

On today's show, we talk with Mariana Idiarte about negotiating architectural contracts. She has worked with firms such as Rem Koolhaas' firm OMA to help negotiate architectural contracts.

Here's the link to watch the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyO9A_CU80I

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Direct Advertising And Business Development For Architects With James Butterworth

Architect James Butterworth shares some of the tactics he has used to grow his young architecture firm.

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From Let Go to Fully Booked Architecture Firm

Here on the Business of Architecture show we talk about two words that don't often go together, money and architecture. Yes, we talk about what a lot of architects don't like talking about, how to make enough money as an architect to pursue the kind of projects you want to work on.

Here on the show we believe that making good money facilitiates making good architecture and living a full life that isn't hampered by the stress of paying the bills or finding the jobs.

In this episode, UK architect James Butterworth takes us on a journey through the economic crash, getting laid off from his corporate architecture job, to fully booking his architecture practice and looking to hire more people.

James has figured out how to market and get more clients for his firm, he appreciates that you need various marketing channels to work simultaneously if you want real clients.

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Strategic Planning for Architecture Firms - Part 2

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Episode 40 - Creating a Strategic Plan for an Architecture Firm

What does it take to create a strategic plan for an architecture firm? How imporant is it? Can a firm be successful if it does not have a strategic plan in place?

In today's episode we talk with Brian Lewis, principal of acla:works, one of the premier architecture firms in the Caribbean. Brian talks about the process of defining a market and developing a strategic plan.

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Social Media for Architecture firms

Is there any point in using social media for an architecture firm? Find out if social media is right for your firm in this episode of the Business of Architecture show.

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How To Make An Architect's Marketing Plan

In this episode we talk with Aurora Meneghello about why architects find it difficult to market their firms.

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