Small Firms Ideas Exchange

It has occurred to me that one way to “recession proof” our profession and our practices is to maintain good relationships with our clients. Now that’s a really “duh” comment but to talk about or consider the types of things that make happiness is worthwhile. Some things may make our clients happy (i.e., beautiful projects, great value, sustainability) and some things make us happy (i.e., creating beauty, making money, doing good things for the world). I find that when I can get the greatest cross-section of happiness, the end result is not an end but rather a continuum. Oftentimes it makes me happy to make my clients happy.  The alignment between both makes it better for both. What do you do to make your clients happy . . .finish on time?  help the contractor control costs?  pick the right materials?

Following up to last week's posting, it occurred to me that architects should be “happy.”  How do you define happiness?  Is it always being right?  Is it doing your very best job?  Is it what you do outside of being an architect?  I try to find happiness in everything I do and I’ve learned that the most positive aspect my repeat clients say when they come back again and again is that,  “You’re fun to work with. If you don’t know the answer, you don’t give us a line of BS. You say you’ll go find the answer and get back to us. You do what you say you’re going to do. You’re willing to learn. You’re willing to teach us.” This sort of underscores how I try to approach business; that, along with what my stepdad told me when I was learning to sail and got frustrated that the power boats didn’t pay attention to the rules of the water. He said, “Lisa, it won’t make any difference if you had the right of way… if you and the boat are on the bottom of the lake. Pay attention to the right things.”

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB

When I’m asked, “Why be an AIA member?” I usually have lots of [monetary] good reasons: access to contracts, discounts on books, someone else can maintain my CEU record, etc. On the other hand, it is fairly costly if those are the only benefits I get from my membership. Beyond the strictly financial considerations, access to colleagues and other architects rises to the cream of the crop of “reasons” why I continue to pay the admission fee.  I can say from direct experience the folks I have met through my involvement with AIA Small Projects Practitioners knowledge community has been “worth” the price of admission many times over. As a small-firm practitioner, I no longer feel at a disadvantage when going head to head with the “bigger" firms on project.  I know that I have developed and cultivated relationships with a wide variety of folks who I can email or call and bounce a few ideas, regardless of the root:

• design related: “I’ve got this project…”
  
• contractual considerations: “Have you ever seen this clause in an owner’s contract…?”
• sustainability and materials: “Do you know of a product that does such and such…?” 
  

A few of my prized friends have evolved into a “think tank” of sorts—great for continued thinking outside the box (when coloring outside that box, we say,“What, there were lines?").

For what reasons are you a member?

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB

My challenge to the AIA is “Be more to the current members than you presently are.” 

I’ve just returned from the AIA national convention in Boston (Well done, AIA!  It was good!). However, I am becoming concerned about the “Let's Play Nice” approach between the AIA and related and/or allied groups. (It sort of reminds me of the current political rhetoric flooding the radio and TV air waves. For crying out loud, take a stand and stick to it). I would tend to think that, with the current conditions (world politics, U.S. economy, diversity, sustainability of life, etc.), the AIA should be seeking to do more, be more, and continue to provide to its members the “best of the best” resources so that we can all thrive. 

I am very disappointed to learn today that a prized architect friend of mine (whom I met through AIA Small Project Practitioners) is in trouble with his newly adopted state board of licensure—all because (are you ready for this?) NCARB has not finished processing his records for the reciprocity to his new state. How pathetic is that? A wonderfully talented minority architect with a family to support is getting hosed by his state because NCARB can’t do its job in a timely fashion. (Did I mention NCARB has had the records for over 7 months? And he is registered in another state?)

To address my challenge, can the AIA make/create a “help” desk of sorts which members can contact for assistance when all the normal avenues are littered with debris?  (Think of your government representative. A few well-placed phone calls can help get things solved). How cool would it be if he could contact the AIA help desk and get the professional input and liaising he needs? This is a benefit that is truly needed and deserved by loyal AIA members.

AIA Board, are you up to the challenge? 

AIA members, what other “services” or “benefits” could or should the AIA include (see related entry, If You’re "Small," Why Be a Member?) ?

 —Lisa Stacholy, AIA, NCARB