November 19, 2009

Twitter Away Your Time

I’ve had some discussions with architect friends and engineers alike on social media: is it worth it? There is Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter (just to name the major players). I have a Facebook account to share photos and jokes with friends and family; purely for fun. I started a LinkedIn account at the suggestion of a civil engineer friend. I was asked to start tweeting for the AIA at the San Francisco convention this past spring. I think 8 months is a fair shake.

Facebook:  It can be “fun” but also a huge waste of time, such as the game Mafia Wars for one (some friends/colleagues have blocked access to the site from their place of business). I’d say this makes sense. I set up a group (Tribe Artemis Circle) to discuss women in professional occupations (e.g., architects, engineers) and the challenges that may be unique to women and how we can share ideas/thoughts to a) work better, b) have fun, and c) have a life. I’m living this topic so it blurs the line between “work” and “not work.” However, I have an architect/friend who set up the firm as a group and has a page specifically for the office; this is in addition to a very well done web site. I don’t really understand the “how” or “so what” to this application; unless you consider the interface with Twitter.

Verdict:  It's just for fun.

Twitter: Twitter has some new cross-overs to others such as Facebook, allowing someone to mobile post to both locations. More of the same I think. My friend did explain to me that he can pose questions with special markers which his followers and groups of followers can see and possibly give him a speedy response (e.g., if you’re looking for a specific kind of insulation material). This makes sense, especially when our work environments may be becoming decentralized or isolated.

Verdict:  It's useful if you work their system.

LinkedIn:  LinkedIn offers professional resources; most folks don’t post personal items, which is fairly good. My direct experience is my updates get read by my connections; I get lots of comments, some of which are offers to helpbut typically when I already have a relationship with the person (e.g., allied professionals who met because our kids to go school together). I did spend some time to sign up for groups or organizations and have made great use of posing questions and getting a wide variety of responses. I especially like the ability to tailor how/when I get what kinds of newsletters and updates.  LinkedIn has been very helpful to my practice.

Verdict:  a keeper.

So, I’m wondering if I’m in left field with this analysis or if you folks are finding the same results. I can’t help but think of a quote I heard a while ago (Glenn Beck, I think) on blogging, “Never in the history of man have so many people said so much in less words to so many people who aren’t listening."  Blog on, dudes.

Lisa Stacholy, AIA

October 28, 2009

Know Your Options

I recently followed a link from one of the AIA eNewsletters:

http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/1023/1023b_billing.cfm Read the article; it’s worth it.

Actually I have presented seminars at state, regional, and national conventions on the topic of “reducing liability in the sustainable firm." Inevitably the question comes up on how to get paid. I tend to be way more proactive and identify problems before they become big (I don’t take a marginal client; as I’ve said before, “I’d rather have mac & cheese dinner with my kids and be happy than work for a bad client”), so I have a fair bit of experience leading me to that decision.

So, back to the article. I have some suggestions for improvement to “the end game.” Reread the article, paying attention to “final options” section.

I have successfully used liens to secure late payment from clients in the past. The article notes that a lien should be filed after 120 days. In Georgia architects file liens under the Mechanical Lien Laws, and the deadline for filing is 90 days after the last date of service, not the invoice date, not the last conversation, etc.  After the lien is filed, the filer has 12 months (from the last date of service, not the lien filing date) to perfect the lien. After that, we use the perfected lien to get a judgment (getting the judgment satisfied is another topic).

I have had the best success when someone is 45 days past due, starting the discussion and “blaming” the shortened timeframe on the state laws. At 60 days past due (which is about 75 days after last service) I’ll send a completed (not filed) lien form; any “on the fencers” will typically jump at paying when they know it’s only a trip to city hall and recording fee to being reality. Upholding good design and standard of care is essential, being “right” on being owed the money helps, too.

Most of all, what I took away from the article (ok, go read it again now) is that all firms and practices, regardless of size, should have a methodology in place (writing it down is very important) guiding business decisions. Include a brief discussion with your E/O insurance carrier when you’re developing your methodology and turn it into a real policy for your firm.

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

October 20, 2009

Will Draw for Food

When we were in college, we joked that we’d need to stand on the corner with a sign “Will Draw for Food." Hmmm, seems like we’re approaching that again? Well, not really, although current economic conditions are definitely affecting many more aspects of our practices, e.g., I called a courier to schedule a delivery and their phone was disconnected.  But I digress…

I came across a good article, http://www.di.net/articles/archive/when_youre_too_expensive/ 

which discusses perspective for understanding the comment, “Hey Architect… you’re too expensive.” It’s definitely worth a read.

After I read the article, I spent some time thinking about the proactive steps during the proposal process. For my firm, I think we have four key considerations on this topic.

  • Make sure the client is serious and it is a viable project (i.e., “beer” or “Champaign” budget; both are equally valid, they just need to be reconciled
  • Is this a client you’d want to work for or do you just need the fee? (be honest with yourself)
  • Get a good handle on the project/client’s experience level and if you’re really the best to handle this type of job (Do you and/or your team have the right skill set; is it a good match between client and architect?)
  • Can you describe how/what you’ll do during the early discussion so the “you’re too expensive” won’t be a factor (goes back to determining or reconciling what the project is and needs).

Please add your points too!  Let me know if your tact is completely different, or not.

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

Editor's Note: We apologize for the misspelling of the word Champagne in the original post. Thank you for calling it to our attention. 

October 7, 2009

Business Tactics

I heard on a syndicated radio show yesterday afternoon that, with the current financial upheaval, personal (consumer) charge cards are now offered new protections against raising interest rates, slashing credit lines, required time period for issuer to make notifications prior to changes in policies, etc. The interesting part is the same protections and fair credit requirements are not extended to business credit. The host suggested obtaining personal accounts for business purposes and reimbursing; plus the fees aren’t as high. 

In my small firm we’ve been doing this for years, mostly because when we “started” we couldn’t find a bank to give us the time of day. Now they are falling at our feet; personal cards worked for us in the early lean days and are continuing to function well. 

I’m wondering what other tactics are folks taking from “personal finances” and applying to how the business is run?

-Lisa Stacholy, AIA

September 29, 2009

Exclusive Trial Offer for Contract Documents

AIA Contract Documents is offering, to the first five PC and MAC users, a complimentary trial for selection of most popular 16 documents on demand. You must be able to perform the trial October 5-12. The first 10 users (5 for PC and 5 for MAC users) will be selected. Just send an e-mail to smallfirms@aia.org and mark the subject line “documents on demand trial offer.” Indicate in the e-mail if you use a PC or MAC.

 

September 10, 2009

Stuck in Their Own World

I’m wondering why some folks/institutions are just stuck in their own world for their own reasons. More specifically, why hasn't the AIA made the commitment to accessible contract documents for the Mac. When an inquiry is made to the AIA on how to actually use the documents, the response is “buy the windows interface for your Mac, run the interface, and our program will work perfectly in there.”

Hmmmm, shouldn’t it be the other way around? If a Mac person were purchasing something, they are the “customer” and doesn’t the seller want to make more sales?  So why the exclusionary approach? Sounds like somewhere an ostrich has its head stuck in the sand; and you know what part that leaves exposed.

Lisa Stacholy, AIA

August 26, 2009

Check Your Ego at the Door

I’ve been following up on some past blogs and comments and I’ve realized we’ve missed harping on one of my core values.  This concept of “ego,” which is probably the one thing that is most central to how my firm works with our engineers, our clients, and the contractors, is that we try very VERY hard to not let any egos get in the way of what we do.

I am fortunate in that sense. Being a woman in this profession, it’s never about the male game: “NaNaNaaNaa BooBoo, I’m taller than you are.” After all, that is rather childish. And the term “team building” is overused and becoming hallow of late.

I truly believe three things regarding ego:

  • Everyone wakes up in the morning wanting to do good.
  • Contractors, evil engineers, or building inspectors don’t intentionally “have it in” for a particular project.
  • The full project team (owners, architects, engineers, contractors, etc) want to see the project through to a happy completion and functional use.

So, is this “team building”? Is it unique to me? Likely not. My architect colleagues/friends have called me “a connector.”  I have developed a sense of joy and love for my profession that goes beyond the chest pounding “Look what we did here. Look what we did there. Look what we will do for you.” Before you know it, you’ve we-we-weed all over yourself. Rather than saying, “Look what I did,” I find myself marveling at “Wow, how cool is that? Look at all those people having a good time.”

What does this matter? It’s based in common sense, something that is harder to find these days. What other aspects of “what’s a good way to get things done” can you share?

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

August 19, 2009

Selling Services: Convincing Clients to Take the Leap

Another great question posed by blog reader Amy A.  She has 20+ years of experience with other firms and 4+ years as a sole proprietor; I’m sure we all relate well.

She recently went to an interview on a project she really wanted to get for her firm and believed she could do well at.  By her good fortune, the referral source was also in on the interview and was able to offer some feedback: two main points:

  • “Discounted” the 20+ years of experience as the work was done for someone else
  • “Current firm work” is renovation/addition, no pure “new construction”

Amy’s question is “how have other architects addressed these types of client concerns?”

Over the years I have developed my own “style” of describing architectural services, the design and construction process, and how my firm can do a great job of helping the client.  Typically the “sales” part of the presentation is more a question, answer, and discussion; that when it goes well, the client “sells” him/her self on my firm.  What I really like about this approach is the old “you can bring a horse to water but you can’t make him drink” analogy. Even if I were the best sales person in the world, I like having trust on my side for starters rather than dealing with a client who develops “buyers' remorse” shortly after the contract is signed.  Life’s too short for that kind of noise.

How and or what do other architects see as the key point to address Amy’s situation?  How does your perception of “what architects do” help or hurt in the current economy and project outlooks?

- Lisa Stacholy, AIA

August 12, 2009

Schedule and Time Tracking

The blog frequently receives messages and suggestions for new topics.  Leslie L. poses an interesting question:

I’m the co-owner of a small architecture firm and scheduling/job tracking has always been a challenge. I’m curious to know what other firms use to track how much work they have, how much they can handle at a given time, and how much of a backlog of work they have. Has anyone found a good software program to help track staff and time on projects?

For my experience, small firms and small projects are too dynamic to follow short-term work resources and time allotments; we use general project production and/or construction schedules to assign major category workloads and rely on the individual project manager to maintain their schedule. The upside is empowering employees and rewarding ($) when goals are accomplished, the downside is not everyone can do it.

Lisa Stacholy, AIA

July 22, 2009

Not Lost, Just Redefined

I just read an interesting article in Architect Online, http://www.architectmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1006&articleID=1011085 .

Described is the “lost generation” of architects who graduated between 1990 and 1994 (I’m in that group). The article discusses parallels between the economic downturn in that time frame and the current situation. Specifically reviewing the dwindling numbers of architects with 15-25 years of experience (hint – that’s us) working in the profession 1-3 years ago. Seems to me there is a direct correlation between the exodus prior to entering the profession in the early ‘90s and the contemporary talent/experience available.

Having “been there/done that” in the early '90s, I did what all passionate young architects would do: I found a way to be in my chosen line of work. I tacked together 2 to 3 contract positions so I could just get by. Luckily for me, it worked and there was enough pick-up work around. As time went on, I developed great alliances on which my current practice is built. No, I didn’t start out saying, “Hey, I’m gonna have my own firm.” It sort of just worked out that way; and I’m glad it did.  Happy is the pathway you allow to deviate.

If I were in the graduating class of 2009, I might see things differently; granted history gives good perspective. Although I think Syracuse School of Architecture is correctly counseling its graduates, I want to go one further:

  • Pass the LEED exam
  • Learn Revit inside
  • Get involved in your community for your profit  

The point is, make a 1-, 5-, and 10-year plan. Each plan will be more nebulous the further in the future they reach; or if “numbers freak you out,” call it Now, Soon, and Later. Don’t just go along for the ride; take the rudder and steer your own ship.

-Lisa Stacholy, AIA

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