Apple.com has a profile of Thomas A. Heinz, AIA, the architect commissioned to reverse-engineer and complete a Frank Lloyd Wright house being built on Petra Island at Lake Mahopac, New York. The article is mainly focused on Heinz's use of Archicad and Apple computers. It describes the process he used to develop the design and communicate his ideas to the crew executing the construction. Don't miss the trailer for the documentary, Building Wright, in the sidebar. It gives you a … [Read more...]
www.YourFirm.com
When I launched our firm's website back in 1999, there were few architects online. We started Fivecat Studio with no clients and no cash. A few friends commissioned us to design small residential, retail and restaurant projects. We photographed them, launched Fivecat.com and the rest is history. From those early projects to this day, the majority of our leads have been generated by our website. It is the main element of our marketing strategy. Since experiencing our success, I have been on a … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned from Apple
If you have not been to the new Apple store on Fifth Avenue, do it soon. In a city where everything is big and loud, the Apple store stands out by being small and quiet. It is simply genius. When you are there, take a good look at Apple as a business. The Apple brand is all about design. From the glass cube above the plaza, to the structural glass stair (patent pending by Apple) leading down to the simple, clear layout of the store below. Everything says Apple. The employees … [Read more...]
5 Tips on Word of Mouth
Traditionally, architects have found clients through word of mouth (WOM). Wouldn't it be great if we could learn how to improve our chances of being talked about? The Word of Mouth Basic Training (WOMBAT) blog has an interesting post today about Gary Stein of Ammo Marketing and his take on Taking Awareness to the Next Level. Your prospects may know your firm exists, but they may not contact you until their friend says, "Hey... I heard about this great architect." Gary gives us 5 tips on … [Read more...]
Chimneypieces
Today, Seth posts: Jordan Tierney and her colleagues have been working for months on the Periodic Tableaux, a one-of-a-kind art book that's not for sale. Why invest the hours and the sweat and the talent in a piece of art you can't (and won't) sell? Two reasons. The best reason is that when you practice your craft for yourself, not for the market, it drives you in new and important ways. And the other reason is that people are going to talk about it. Ideas that spread, win. Seth's post … [Read more...]
How You Do It
"The magic, and the way in which you win the hearts and minds of your clients, is how you do it." That's what John over at Duct Tape Marketing posts today. Clients see us as all the same. One architect is just like another. We are all expected to be wonderfully talented designers. We are expected to know the codes and technical details required to construct safe and healthy buildings. In the eyes of our clients, we are all the same...unless we do something to stand out from the crowd. That … [Read more...]
Why the Web?
At the last few meetings of the AIA Westchester / Mid-Hudson Practice Management Committeee, we discussed websites and how they could benefit our practices. I just wanted to share some of the work I've done online for my firm, Fivecat Studio. I thought it might be helpful for your own practice. Fivecat.com We built our first website in 1999. It has gone through a few redesigns since then, but it has always been intended to simply educate our potential clients. It answers some basic … [Read more...]
Google’s Got It!
In addition to web search, Google has many more applications that will help you run your business (there's the B-word again...get used to it). Docs and Spreadsheets - Create written documents and spreadsheets right online. Then have access to them from anywhere you have Internet access. Gmail - It's a new kind of webmail, built on the idea that email can be more intuitive, efficient and useful. It has over 2,800 MB of storage space, so you'll never need to delete a message. You can even … [Read more...]
AIA Westchester / Mid-Hudson Expo 2007
For all design professionals in the metropolitan NYC area, this thursday is AIA Westchester / Mid-Hudson Design and Technology Expo 2007 at Rye Town Hilton in Rye, New York. Looking for continuing education credits? I have inside information that there are still seats available for a few of the seminars. Download the registration form here. See you there! … [Read more...]
Partnering Architects
At this month's meeting of the AIA Westchester / Mid-Huson Practice Management Committe we were discussing the subject of partnering (two architects working with a joint venture agreement). Among many interesting comments, the question of legal agreements was raised and I wondered if the AIA offered a document for architects looking to partner. As assumed, they do. C801™-1993, Joint Venture Agreement for Professional Services can be used for just such an arrangement. "C801™-1993 is intended … [Read more...]
BAM…Publicity Generated!
Last week, I posted my favorite business and marketing blogs. Catching my link to his blog, Scott Ginsberg took a tour through Entrepreneur Architect and found my post referencing a recent article in Architect magazine about getting publicity. He left an interesting comment. At his blog, Scott "shares ideas, stories and observations from his speeches, articles and books on how to MAXIMIZE personal and professional approachability - one conversation at a time." A self-proclaimed … [Read more...]
A “Sticky” Manifesto
The Heath Brothers, authors of the new bestseller, Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, walk the walk in their ChangeThis manifesto about three straightforward ways to make your strategy work. They preach the power of concrete language and stories to communicate your strategy effectively. Missed the Heath Bros. on "The Today Show" or NPR? Get to know them here because these ideas stick. Talking Strategy - Three Straightforward Ways to Make Your Strategy Stick What's your … [Read more...]