Architecture & Engineering Business Strategies

Do you want to be a JEDI? At HKS Architects, the acronym stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. From defining shared vocabulary to setting benchmarks for success, it can be a long process to get such programs off the ground. JEDI Director Yiselle Santos explained why it’s well worth it, and how you can start.Interview TakeawaysGet buy-in at every levelDefine the JEDI frameworkAnchor your program with a mission and visionFocus on business outcomesSolidify common languageEmpower high-performing diverse teamsSet metrics for social justiceDelve into the dataBridge the gap between technical and experientialLook at the long gameSet your scope for social justiceStart your JEDI journeyShow LinksCheck out HKSFollow HKS on LinkedInConnect with Yiselle Santos on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

Architecture and engineering are careers that offer a lot of autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit. But these industries also breed chaotic organizations and burnout. Rens Hayes, founder of H+O Structural Engineering, has set out to do things differently. He shared with us how he’s built a people-first business that’s all about value-driven growth.Interview TakeawaysHelp good people find youDefine your mission, vision, and valuesFight back against burnout cultureUse your core values to create resultsIntegrate your values into every decision and messageAttract the right people by sharing your storyCreate a triangle-shaped framework for successIncentivize great performanceDevelop leaders who want to stayReward continual improvementWeigh value alignment over local availabilityBalance the eight core areas of businessShow LinksCheck out H+O Structural EngineeringFollow H+O Structural Engineering on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Rens Hayes on LinkedInConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

How can architects benefit from a collaborative platform like Airtable? If you’re interested in getting organized, it’s a no-brainer. Airtable’s own Jackie Park joined Monograph to explain how Airtable features can help hone your firm’s operations, from FF&E to recruitment. Whether you use Airtable or something else, the best part is that digital tools can free up more time for the creative work architects love.Interview TakeawaysUse digital tools to organize informationAirtable is a digital tool kitJackie Park’s journey from architecture to salesHone your digital customer pipelineUse Airtable for FF&E tasksLeverage a customizable databaseUse Airtable to organize the approval processThe value of a shared workbenchOrganize and automate recruiting tasksUse Airtable to streamline operationsFree up time for designChoose a digital platform based on your needsShow LinksCheck out AirtableFollow Airtable on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Jackie Park on LinkedInConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

Common is the nation’s leading co-living brand operator. That means it’s two things at once: a housing company and a tech startup. It's a company where designers bridge the gap between software developer and property developer clients. It’s a unique role for an architect, and no one knows that better than Jenn Chang. Jenn started out as Common’s very first architect. Today, she serves as the company’s Vice President of Studio, Common's in-house design and construction team. Both Common and Jenn’s success has hinged on adaptability - and the ability to learn from lessons along the way.Interview TakeawaysAt Common, tech meets residentialJenn Chang charted new territory as Common's first architectFind the balance of creative ideasCreate new opportunities with a proactive approachThe brand operator modelOffer flexible services based on client needsAnalyze building performance dataHire for internal aptitudeFoster an autonomous work environmentAdvocate for yourself and your teamShift your company conceptShow LinksCheck out CommonFollow Common on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Jenn Chang on LinkedInConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

PR can seem complicated. But Tiffany Rafii knows that the right marketing strategy is a game-changer for every industry. The CEO and co-founder of UpSpring PR, Tiffany has been running her full-service communications agency for the architecture, design, and real estate markets since 2009. Today, her 25+ person team leverages digital and strategic PR to increase brand awareness and market share for dozens of companies.Interview TakeawaysLeverage growth with PRTime your PR efforts rightGrow business step-by-stepPosition for initial growthUse the talent you haveChoose how to growDouble your focus group benefitsBalance focus and flexibilityDefine your goalsGet out there with SEOOpen the door with PRLet go of the paid-ad dreamShow LinksCheck out UpSpring PRConnect with Tiffany Rafii on LinkedInConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

Few architecture firms can be seen as true trailblazers. But SHoP Architects is defying convention on everything from design to fabrication to installation. Luisa Mendez is a Senior Associate at SHoP Architects in New York City, where she has worked on projects like the Design Miami Pavilion, the Barclay Center, and the Porterhouse building. So how can you use technology and unique construction design to disrupt an industry? By leveraging digital delivery and tracking specific goals.Interview TakeawaysSHoP’s 3 pillarsThe roles at SHoPWhy you should mix experience levels and specialtiesGive designers the choice to specialize...or notSet up systems for employee successThree-fold project goals: value, data-driven, and time-drivenMeet goals thanks to an invested teamHow a 3D project delivery system improves communicationLeverage digital delivery toolsThe lagging tech at city agenciesLuisa’s dream firm setupHow digital tools can catch problems before they happenShow LinksCheck out SHoP ArchitectsFollow SHoP Architects on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Luisa Mendez on LinkedInConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or TwitterListen and read more about Monograph

How can you turn your architecture business into a PR machine? By telling incredible stories about the services you provide and the projects you’ve completed. Matthew Keeshin has a rich background in both architecture and writing. Currently the digital media manager at ZGF, he explained why telling great stories goes beyond the buildings themselves.Interview TakeawaysStay connected with analyticsTreat social media like blackjackTake stories beyond the buildingAct like an advisorDefine the communication strategySeek inspiration from other industriesCraft a signature look and feelCreate bite-sized informationKeep imagination alivePosition yourself as a leaderYour online presence is your calling cardBuild relationships to reach your goalsShow LinksCheck out ZGFConnect with Matthew Keeshin on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or TwitterListen and read more about Monograph

When architecture firms collapsed during the ‘08 recession, Hope Trory realized that the traditional architecture industry desperately needed better online marketing. Hope is on a mission to help architecture firms grow - in any market. As founder of HOPEWORKSDESIGN, she helps small to midsize firms implement modern marketing strategies in traditional industries. Hope combines industry expertise, online marketing strategy, and her architecture background to help firms connect with their online audience.Interview TakeawaysRecession-proof your architecture firmGo deeper with your websiteDefine your messagingAttract your dream clientsLearn your customers’ languageBuild your online reputationFilter for better leads Tap into more budgets + marketsCrunch the marketing numbersLook back to move forwardAutomate the filtering processFind the right marketing firmShow LinksCheck out HOPEWORKSDESIGNConnect with Hope Trory on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

How does technology influence architecture? How does architecture influence people? Those are the questions that consume Dr. Daniel Davis, senior researcher at Hassell and former Director of Research at WeWork. Daniel joined Monograph’s George Valdes to discuss the various ways that firms can approach, apply, and measure data.Interview TakeawaysWhich firms should embrace dataApplying technology to business, not just designRationalizing researchJustifying design decisions with evidenceWhere firms don’t step in, other companies willWhy certain firms don’t care about dataPost-occupancy data is the holy grailFinding inspiration in the tech worldExperimenting with new lines of revenueThe dream of shared dataSeeking new ways to analyze performanceShow LinksConnect with Dr. Daniel Davis on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph

Evelyn Lee is a pillar of the architecture industry. Currently a senior internal experience designer for Slack, over the last two decades she has also played a role in AIA National and founded a podcast called Practice of Architecture. Evelyn’s eyes are set on the future of architecture: how both individual practitioners and leadership need to approach work in a way that is more innovative and inclusive than in years past.Interview TakeawaysGrowing your career as an individual contributor or managerExploring better & faster task managementPromoting transparent communication at every levelApproaching work with an entrepreneurial mindsetTaking the architecture role beyond buildingFostering fledgling ideasFighting back to regain lost workNavigating implementation riskCapturing data for business developmentPushing the boundaries of the architecture business modelRethinking the time-based service modelCultivating a great customer experienceShow LinksConnect with Evelyn Lee on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out Practice of ArchitectureConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph