Business of Architecture Podcast

  In today's episode of Business of Architecture, we talk with the founder of Alliance Architecture, an architecture firm with offices in DC, MD and North Carolina. In this episode, architect John Warasila talks about the importance of knowing the numbers of your business. He also shares how he's built a real estate portfolio by investing in his own and in his client's projects. Get the free 4-part architecture firm profit map at http://freearchitectgift.com

"Wow, that's a lot of money … I had no idea it was going to be that much!" If you've ever heard this before, then you've probably presented a proposal to a client. As architects we hear this from our clients all the time when we give them our proposals. There's a specific reason why they react this way. It's because their expectations don't match reality. When our clients tell us something is "too expensive" or "more than they were expecting," what do they base that on? Is there any form of reality attached to their expectations? Probably not. They've heard that their brother-in-law did something for XX$ /sf, or some mysterious family friend tells them that it shouldn't cost more than "X." Yea, right. All of their wishful thinking isn't going to change reality. Last week two things happened to me that made my jaw drop. I was reminded how utterly clueless the average person is about building design and construction - and I'm not just talking about residential clients - you'll find this with more 'sophisticated' clients also. I was over at a friend's house who just added a garage behind his home. He did most of the work himself, and he was surprised that it ended up costing so much. "I just wanted something a little bigger than the sheds available at Home Depot!" FYI, the sheds at Home Depot cost USD 3,500, his building was over USD 15,000. He gave many reasons why the building cost more - the draftsman charged "way too much" and specified the "wrong details," the City made him do things that were unnecessary, etc. I asked him why he thought he got ripped off. Turns out he got his information from his "contractor friends" who confidently said that "we don't build like that around here." Huh. I don't know what these "contractor friends" have been building, but it won't pass code. I took a look at the 'overpriced' plans his draftsman did (he called him an "architect"), and the drawings looked just fine - I didn't notice any 'wrong details.' Well, as it turns out ... "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - The Big Short This applies to clients both small and large, residential and institutional. Another example: This week I was coaching one of the firm owners in our A-Team Mastermind who does high-design focused work for Higher Education Institutions. He told me of his frustration with potential clients not 'getting' the value that they get when they work with his firm. "Our fee was double some of our competitors. They went with the cheaper option even though I tried to explain that you get what you pay for. That fee wouldn't even be enough for us to pay the engineers." The University went with the cheaper option. I'm sure they'll be knocking on his door in 18 months. “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” One way to solve this problem is what I call "right-setting" your potential clients (a.k.a. set them aright). Educate them about all the headaches, problems, disasters, and full-blown red-light emergencies that can happen if they don't compare apples to apples, AND on the flip side - all the peaceful, happy nights they'll get from working with you. Fortunately, with the amazing technology we have nowadays, it's easier than ever to educate your clients. Here are 5 effective ways to educate your clients: Record explanatory videos Write articles Record a podcast Give seminars/webinars Write a book For more information, listen to this week's podcast episode above. Do you have any horror stories of when a client was too focused on the upfront-cost and underestimated the long-term consequences? Tell me about it - head over to the Business of Architecture Facebook group and let me know!

What does it take to earn 6 figures as an architect? In this episode of the Business of Architecture podcast, you'll discover 7 ways to earn 6 figures as an architect. Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Today, we speak with Alan McLenaghan, the CEO of SageGlass. SageGlass makes high performance, dynamic glass. After earning a PhD in Polymer Physics from Strathclyde University, Alan McLenaghan rose through the ranks of several organizations which led him to his current position as CEO of SageGlass. In today's interview, you'll discover how to inspire and lead a team, one of the keys of growing a successful, collaborative firm. Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Today we speak with the author of 2 books, The Win Without Pitching Manifesto, and his latest book, Pricing Creativity. He's one of the world's leading experts on pricing for creative professionals. His name is Blair Enns, and in our conversation today you'll discover: Why you shouldn't send a written proposal (and what to do instead) What Blair means when he says you should price the client and not the job Blair's 6 rules for pricing services Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Today we welcome Arianna Leopard back to the show. Arianna is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at SB Architects, a firm with offices in Miami, San Francisco, and Shenzhen, China. In today's episode, you'll discover: How to create a business development plan that includes strategy as well as tactics The difference between getting published in the press and true public relations How marketing relates to business development Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Today I welcome back Eric Reinholdt to the Business of Architecture. Eric Reinholdt is the owner of 30x40 Design Workshop, based out of Mount Desert, Maine. His design focuses on simple, modern residential architecture. In addition to being an architect, Eric is one of the top architect content creators on Youtube. Practically every single week since 2013, Eric Reinholdt has produced and released a video on Youtube dealing with design and architecture. The topics of his videos range from design critiques, to book and product reviews, to behind the scenes video blogs of his life and studio. In today's episode, you'll discover how Eric manages his time to get the most important, strategic tasks done. You'll discover why Eric is focused on building assets over time, instead of just responding to the day to day fires. You'll also hear about why Eric vetted potential architecture clients, and how he decides which projects he'll take on, and which ones aren't a fit. Probably my biggest takeaway from this episode is Eric's focus on taking the actions and being intentional about his day to choose the kind of life he wants to live. Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Today I welcome Eric Reinholdt to the Business of Architecture. Eric Reinholdt is the owner of 30x40 Design Workshop, based out of Mount Desert, Maine. His design focuses on simple, modern residential architecture. In addition to being an architect, Eric is one of the top architect content creators on Youtube. You may ask what a content creator is? Practically every single week since 2013, Eric Reinholdt has produced and released a video on Youtube. The topics of his videos range from design critiques, to book and product reviews, to behind the scenes video blogs of his life and studio. In today's show, Eric reveals what it took to build his Youtube subscriber base to over 100k subscribers, giving him an income stream outside of traditional architecture, and bringing him project inquiries from around the world. You'll also discover: How to create engaging video content that gets shared How Youtube helps to grow Eric's business How he's able to share his design expertise in an engaging way with the world   Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Today, Rion Willard takes the mic and interviews architect Oliver Cooke. Oliver Cooke is the co-founder of Cooke Fawcett, a UK-based firm focused on cultural buildings. Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com.

Have you ever been frustrated by the feast or famine cycle of not enough work or too much work? What if there was a way that you could control the number of meetings you have with qualified people who are predisposed to working with you? Tom Poland is the creator of "Leadsology" the science of being in demand, and he has developed a process that does exactly that. In today's episode, you'll discover: The 4 "R's" of an effective client conversation The hurdles that you need to help a potential client overcome before they'll move ahead And 4 attributes your potential clients must have before you ever speak with them. Register for the FREE Firm Freedom Formula Online Training: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/freedomwebinar Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com.