Small Firms Ideas Exchange

Ok, so it's a new year. Most architects tend to be optimists, seeing our cups as ½ full (and our designs ½ built?). What are your resolutions for this new year?  I'll start... I resolve to stop going on as many "wild goose chases" with potential clients.

Happy New Year!

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

I’m wondering how do you “research” a potential new client?  It’s easy to ask "How did you find my firm?” or "What is the project?” or "What’s your project budget?. Notice I said “project” and not “construction.“ It's very telling if they pick up on the difference between those two terms.

What else and how else do you vet your potential clients?

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

I told my kids I was going for a walk with the dogs, taking my walkman. My 13-year-old daughter said, “Walkman, what’s that?” I corrected myself, “iPod-nano.”  It occurred to me that in the short span since I started in college until now, there has been a huge shift in how architects perform their business; retrospectively, the changes are coming more rapidly. I put together a short list of examples; got any to add?

• “Bum wad/bunny bag” vs “SketchUp/Google”
• “Walkman” vs “iPod Nano”
• “I’m out of film” vs “my memory card is full”
• “paper/plastic” vs “reusable bag for purchase”
• “slides” vs “powerpoint"
• “fax” vs “scan and e-mail”
• “Sweets” vs “Manufacturer’s Web Site”
• “cash” vs “charge” and it’s ugly comrade “charge” vs “credit”
• "Chipboard Models” vs “Revit”

Short introspection has me thinking that there is a loss of the tactile nature; I’m wondering what effect it will have on how we process?  I’m also recognizing that with the advent of each of these technologies, response can be faster but perhaps lacking the proper research and thought required for accuracy. How many times have you hit “Send” before you actually attached the attachment you described in the e-mail?

--Lisa Stacholy, AIA