I got a “cute” little e-mail from a former employee of mine. Actually he was a co-op employee while attending Georgia Tech (it is nice when “kids” I’ve mentored/had as interns stay in touch). Remember, I’m in Atlanta (another damn Yankee carpetbagger; after 20 years, does that still count?). Sean asked, “What’s up with Atlanta?” This past summer we (Atlantans) nearly ran out of water and had to endure extreme water-use restrictions and a full ban on outdoor watering. Now we’re apparently in the only area of the nation that experiences gas shortages on a daily basis (post Hurricane Ike). Hmmm… you folks should be in the city during wintertime when there is a hint of coming snow—the grocery stores experience a run on bread, milk, and toilet paper (I’ve never understood that one).
I guess the only real “thing” we do differently in my firm is to keep our eyes open and spend a little more time chatting with our pals (engineers, architects, contractors, owners). So far it’s working. We’re busier these days than we were 4 to 6 months ago. What do you do? What do you see? What can you share?
—Lisa Stacholy, AIA
Anyway, to be completely serious, when you see a potential perfect storm brewing, what do you do with your firm? Do you practice differently? Do you limit operating hours? Do you increase your marketing efforts? Do you hide under a desk with some carpet samples strategically placed around the openings? Take a look at the newest page at the AIA for some helpful links and tips (http://www.aia.org/navigatingeconomy).
I guess the only real “thing” we do differently in my firm is to keep our eyes open and spend a little more time chatting with our pals (engineers, architects, contractors, owners). So far it’s working. We’re busier these days than we were 4 to 6 months ago. What do you do? What do you see? What can you share?
As for my friend Sean, I’m planning on e-mailing him back with “Yeah, kind of strange and I can’t find my hand basket either.” HaHa
—Lisa Stacholy, AIA
Comments (1)
I remember the havoc that a little ice would cause when I lived there. I'm going to agree with you, Lisa; marketing your connections and making new ones is the best thing to do. As small firm owners we prefer to be overly busy, we have to learn to enjoy the slow time, and think about strategy for the future. I'm ready to go back to over busy soon.
BTW, as someone who worked for Lisa, I can honestly say that I learned more in a short time there than I have at any other firm.
Posted by Sean | September 24, 2008 6:21 PM
Posted on September 24, 2008 18:21