Context & Clarity for Small Firm Architects

What story do architects need to tell in order to reinforce their value in the business of the built environment?That's the question we'll start with today on Context & Clarity LIVE.Katharine White MacPhail and I will welcome re-purposed architect, author, and podcaster, Patrick MacLeamy to Context & Clarity.Join the conversation as we tap into Patrick's 50 years of experience learning to be an architect, design architecture, and build an architecture firm. Let's talk about the future of the profession and what architects need to do to secure their future.Share your experience and advice, and ask your questions, today at 4:00 pm ET.Context & Clarity LIVE is live-streamed on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, and YouTube.Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

Where are you going? Maybe the question I should have asked is, "Are you going in the same direction today that you thought you would have when you got out of school?" You may have heard me say that I've ended up where I am today at no fault of my own. I'm not at all where I thought I'd be, but I think I'll keep going in this direction. What about you?Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

Let's talk about the latest social craze... Clubhouse. There’s less than a 50/50 chance that you’re on the Clubhouse App because at the time of this recording Clubhouse is still only available to iPhone users. What is Clubhouse? The developers, call Clubhouse “drop-in audio” and it’s definitely an audio-based social media app. Imagine walking through a popular club and being able to step into rooms and listen in on interesting conversations. Every once in a while, you may be able to contribute to a conversation. That’s essentially what Clubhouse is. The variety of topics being discussed on Clubhouse is as varied as the human race is diverse, so let me share 3 BIG opportunities that I see for architects on the Clubhouse App.Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

What do architects need to do in order to re-establish themselves as leaders in the business of the built environment? The first step may be to lead with a dream and a purpose and inspire clients to imagine the value of the built environment. Whatever the answer is, it doesn't include the same thing we've been doing for the past 40 or 50 years.Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

Sometimes we get jealous of the success we see around us. Have you ever asked something like, 'why does that person get paid that much when we have to know more and take on much more responsibility than they do?' I think the healthier choice is to say, I see what’s going on over there. I want to know how they’re doing that or how they’re getting that and figure out how to use it in my business. A couple of weeks ago, I heard someone say that if you create a new financial model, you’ll change the game. That’s not 100% applicable to every point of this conversation, but I do believe that it could radically impact the way you look at what you do. Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

Let's talk about membership in professional organizations and associations. We could frame the conversation in terms of the value of your membership, but I'd rather flip it around and ask what value is the profession getting from your membership in the association? There are two good reasons to flip it around like that. First, is that if we look at it in terms of what am I getting out of my membership, basically taking it from a selfish point of view, there’s not likely to ever be enough. Costs in terms of dollars or time will never likely go down, so is there any way for an ROI to keep pace? The other reason is that it’s our professional organization. Shouldn’t it be about benefit to our profession?Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

How do we understand and manage expectations in the pursuit of 'the best'?That's the question we'll start with today on Context & Clarity LIVE.Katharine White MacPhail and I will welcome entrepreneur, serial podcaster, and development consultant, to Context & Clarity.Join the conversation this week as we explore how we understand and manage expectations as we learn how to be the best employees, colleagues, and leaders we can be.Share your experience and advice, and ask your questions, Thursday at 4:00 pm ET.Context & Clarity LIVE is live-streamed on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, and YouTube.Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

What’s your architecture origin story? What drove you to get into the profession? Mine starts with baseball stadiums, barns, Frank Lloyd Wright, and This Old House. Everybody has their own unique story and I’m always curious, what inspired you? A character from a TV show or a movie? Maybe you’re like me and a show like ThisOldHouse made an impact. Or was it, like for one of my students, county courthouses and town square design? Whatever it was, I’ll bet it’s an interesting story that needs to be told.Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

This week, I wanted to group several services together that I’m calling similar, so let’s talk about Thumbtack, NextDoor, and HomeAdvisor for architects. I know there are several others out there and the landscape continues to change, so if you have another one that you like (or hate) be sure to leave it in the comments. My experience with these services is that your mileage will vary. I know some architects really like them and some really hate them and as best I can tell is that the type of work that you do and your location will probably play a major role in your outlook in this conversation. Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access

How can you be a better you, in all forms? All week we've talked about being better leaders, employee, and colleagues. Many times we think about those roles in the work context, but your family, your your friends, and your community need you to be the best you can be in their context as well. Mentioned in this episode:All AccessAll Access