Seth posts How to Succeed in Business (to Business). He writes about the importance of patience, not overpromising and finding one thing that clients need, then being the very best at that one thing. I think its pretty good advice for us architects as well. Anyone practicing architecture for more than a few months knows that patience is a prerequisite. An efficient "process" of architecture is all about decision-making, and in order to obtain decisions from some clients takes the patience of … [Read more...]
Entrepreneur Architects
When in architecture school, we each had a professor who told us that architecture should be practiced for the art and the art alone. "If you want to make money", he said, "quit now, take a walk across campus and enroll at the business school." Some took the advice, left the profession and today are earning a nice comfortable salary. Others heeded the warning, believed it and carried on the long standing tradition of starving artist. I believe there is another way. Despite the bitter … [Read more...]
Getting Publicity
The February issue of Architect magazine includes an article written by Fred Bernstein titled, Getting The Publicity You Need. In December, Claire Whitaker closed the doors of The Kreisberg Group, a P.R. firm she lead as president for five years, and moved across town to her new position as the head of public relations for the Pritzker Prize winning architect, Santiago Calatrava. Here are six tips from the article for architects trying to attract publicity without spending a lot of money. 1. … [Read more...]
Customer Evangelists
Traditionally, architects have obtained commissions through word of mouth. Complete a project successfully and your client will recommend your firm to their friends and family. What if your clients not only recommended your firm, but worshipped it? What if they were so happy with your services that they went out of their way to spread the good word about your firm as fast and as far as they could? What if you could create a legion of loyal Customer Evangelists? I first read Ben McConnell and … [Read more...]
White Windows
Many years ago, before Annmarie and I started our residential architecture firm, I was a project manager with Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson Architects in Mt. Kisco, New York. I worked very closely with the senior partner at the time, Dick Kaeyer. My first assignment as Project Manager was a major addition and renovation project for a church and facilities in Yorktown Heights. Dick designed the project and I developed it through construction drawings. Then, in order to learn the tips and … [Read more...]
Corporations Seek MBAs with Design Skills
The February issue of Contract magazine includes an article titled, Design Business. In addition to the prerequisite MBA, top corporations are seeking candidates with empathizing, problem-finding and creative design skills. Many business schools are integrating design courses with their MBA curriculum. Design schools are finally getting the message as well. Business skills are an important ingredient in the future success of design and architecture students. The Illinois Institute of Technology … [Read more...]
Remark-able Customer Service
I am constantly looking to other industries to find ideas for my own business (a great tip for architects in itself). Here's a very interesting post about customer service by Joel Spolsky, CEO of Fog Creek Software. … [Read more...]
AIA Launches New Marketing Campaign
I received an e-mail today from Phil Simon, AIA National Managing Director, Marketing and Promotion about the new national marketing campaign. Here's what he wrote: Dear AIA Colleague: The 2007 national advertising campaign began last week with the first of more than 430 commercial radio network spots that will air until the end of June. A trade magazine ad campaign to build on the radio ads is also underway in six distinct market sectors where architects offer their services. To learn more … [Read more...]
“The Best”
Josh points us to a great quote by Frank Lloyd Wright: "A vital difference between the professional man and a man of business is that money making to the professional man should, by virtue of his assumption, be incidental; to the business man it is primary. Money has its limitations; while it may buy quantity, there is something beyond it and that is quality." ...and Frank died penniless. Josh posts about the architect's perennial dilemma between making money and being good. He argues that an … [Read more...]
Just Ask Permission
Here's a post for all the architects who say that marketing doesn't matter. Seth Godin points us to Glass House Denver, a 23 story residential complex in Denver. Using a permission-based marketing strategy, the developer sold every one of the 389 units before the building was even completed. They credit Seth's book, Permission Marketing. You can download four free chapters here. … [Read more...]
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Becoming an Architect
If you ask my mother, she will tell you that I have always been a businessman. That may be true, but I remember clearly the day my passion was ignited. When I was in my third year of architecture school, I picked up an issue of Entrepreneur magazine at the local supermarket. Skimming the pages, I previewed story upon story about another successful entrepreneur. I purchased the magazine and that night read it cover to cover. The stories were so inspirational, so motivational. The freedom to … [Read more...]
Business Success…by Josh
In a search for the term "business of architecture", Google pointed me to Hugh MacLeod's Gaping Void blog and a post titled, "The Architect's Manifesto". Needless to say, it peaked my interest. Hugh referenced a post by Josh Horne, a 24 year old student of architecture with a very interesting perspective on business success in architecture. Be sure to read the comments as well. They include a passionate dialogue between Josh and a reader named Niko. … [Read more...]
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