Business of Architecture Podcast

On today's episode of the Business of Architecture show, you'll discover how a UK-based firm grew their practice in short order by using a few powerful yet simple business strategies. James Sizer and his wife Solam Sizer are directors of the firm SA Architectural Services, based out of Norwich, UK. In 2017, the firm joined the Architect Marketing Institute's firm accelerator program and has seen remarkable success since then. In today's episode, you'll hear James Sizer talk about the strategies he implemented. Get access to the 4-part firm profit map here: http://freearchitectgift.com .

Contracts form a large part of what we do as architects, because they form the basis for the services that we provide to our clients. Today we are honored to be joined by Ken Cobleigh, the managing director and counsel for the AIA Contract Documents program. Today we discuss the recently released 2017 AIA contract documents. A lot of thought and planning has gone into this latest revision. Whether or not you use the AIA contract documents in your firm, you'll find this conversation to be full of valuable insight about what to think about when you enter into an agreement with a client.

Meredith Bowles has been hailed as "“One of Britain’s top 10 architect provocateurs, who are shaking things up with bold, innovative designs.” In today's episode Meredith Bowles discuss his journey in the business of architecture building his design-focused firm Mole Architects. You'll discover: How to get more of the kind of work you want A methodology for business development How to get to the next level of projects that you aspire to work on Download the 4-part Architecture Firm Profit Map by visiting http://freearchitectgift.com.

Digital tools like Instagram, Facebook, podcasts and the like have opened up the possibilities for young and imaginative practices to get their message out there. In today's episode, Rion Willard interviews noted London designer Adam Nathaniel Furman. Furman has, as of this writing, almost 20k followers on Instagram. In this episode, Furman reflects on design, building a business that facilitates a lifestyle, and opening up dialogue through social media tools.

Have you ever felt like there's too much to get done in one day? And yet when we look at some of the world's most prolific entrepreneurs, like Richard Branson and Elon Musk, they way they've been able to build these great companies isn't by doing everything themselves. They succeed by succeeding through others. As I've researched what the world's most successful architecture and design firms do to succeed I've noticed that they have a culture of empowering a group of individuals to do their best work, enthusiastically. The best leaders know how to succeed through others, and this is the epitome of leadership. Today's guest is here to talk about being a better leader. How we can achieve results far beyond our own personal abilities by empowering others. Joining us is Dr. Peter Delisle, Hon. AIA. Dr. Delisle is a member of the executive education faculty at the University of Notre Dame. He is a principal with Educet and the principal instructor of the Emerging Leaders Program at AIA-Dallas. Access my free 4-part architecture firm profit map by visiting http://freearchitectgift.com  

Today you'll hear from a leading UK architect who has impacted the built environment through design and development.

Today we're going to pick up where we left off last week and talk with business expert Scott Beebe about actual case studies of architecture firm owners who are building a freedom firm - a firm that has real value, that can be sold if they choose, and that increases their net worth even when they aren't there. On today's show you'll discover: How to build an architecture firm you can sell (or transition to someone else) How to build the value of your firm How to create a firm that can run without you Case studies of architects that are building their freedom firm The freedom of an architect who travels the countryside in his RV

Today you'll hear from a guest who focuses on liberating architecture firm owners from the chaos of working in their business. Scott Beebe is a business growth and scaling expert who helps architecture firm owners create a firm that runs by itself. Billionaire real estate entrepreneur Gary Keller says that you are only a business owner if you can walk away from your business and your net worth increases. If you can't walk away from your business and increase your net revenue, you're just an employee of your business with management responsibilities and risk. In this interview, you'll discover how to create a business of which you are an owner, not just an employee. You'll learn how to create a business that has real value beyond you. With a business that practically runs itself, all areas of your life can improve - your relationships, your home life, and your personal quality of life. Stress can evaporate like the morning fog.

Today Rion Willard speaks with the accomplished, design-forward British architect Carl Turner. This episode is full of amazing insight into the business lessons that Carl Turner has learned as he has explored the intersection between great business and great design. On today's episode you'll discover: - How architect Carl Turner started his practice - How he designed his own award-winning house and leveraged that effort to get exposure and prominence through the media - How he uses the concept of "optimizing profit" (instead of "maximizing profit") to partner with development entities to create projects that revitalize underused areas I think you'll love this episode with Carl Turner, and if you do, I'd love to have you leave a review on iTunes or Stitcher.

Today is the 2nd half of my interview with architect Scott Lowe, co-founder of 5G Studio Collaborative. If you haven't listened to last week's episode #227, you'll definitely want to catch the first part of my conversation with Scott where he talks about how they grew their international design focused practice. This year 5G Studio collaborative was ranked #29 on the Architect 50 in the category of "Business" and #31 in the category of Design, which is impressive for a firm that was founded in 2005. In this episode, Scott talks about the importance of building a world-class team - that big results come from a team effort. In the last episode, you heard Scott hint at the "franchise" office model that they've used to open new office locations and provide opportunities for team members. In this episode we dive into this intriguing business model in detail. You'll also discover: Two hard lessons that Scott has learned in business How to respond when clients go to a cheaper firm How to create relationships that turn into work The 4 things you need to be an ultra-competitive firm on an international scale And Scott's 2 elements of strategic thinking. You'll discover this and more in this interview with Architect Scott Lowe of 5G Studio Collaborative.