Here’s an excellent post from one of my favorite blogs:
A buddy of ours recently asked for our advice on how to go out on your own as an architect. It’s an interesting question primarily because of the timing and the current economy (or lack thereof). But despite the slow industry, we think its the right time to establish your own firm. While the market will remain slow for a while (probably over another year), when it does pickup, the architects left standing will be flush with work. We see the economic recession as a good time for positioning. While there isn’t a lot of work out there right now, there is much to do to make sure you get work later.
One of the best sites on the web…TED.
As a dedicated fan of the NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Racing) Sprint Cup Series, I continuously follow the success and failures of the top teams. Also being a business fan, NASCAR is my “perfect storm”.
Racing is big business. It takes millions of dollars to campaign a race team for a complete season and there’s lots to learn about buisness from the winning teams.
Over at NASCAR.com, I just toured the new fabrication shop at Stewart-Haas Racing, home of driver-owner, Tony Stewart.
For ten years, Stewart was a contracted driver, employed by Joe Gibbs Racing. This year, he partnered with Haas CNC Racing (an insignificant team that has yet to win a Spint Cup race) and launched his own team. Everyone knew he would be successful, but no one (not fan nor expert) expected the level of success he has achieved this, his first year.
Currently, Tony Stewart is running second in points. His second car, driven by teammate Ryan Newman, is eighth (the top twelve drivers qualify for The Chase – NASCAR’s version of the playoffs). Not a bad start, but if you ask Tony, I’m sure he’d tell you that he’s right on schedule. Everything he knows about running a race team, he learned from his former boss and mentor, Joe Gibbs (yes, the former head coach of the Washington Redskins – he’s also the owner of one of the most successful teams in NASCAR racing history).
When you watch the video, pay close attention to these five fast facts and you’ll be winning in short order too.
Hire the Best People
Ask Joe Gibbs the secret to his success and he’ll tell you that its all about his people. He hires the best he can find. When Stewart built his team, from scratch, he spoke those same words. He has assembled a core of dedicated passionate people that are the best in the business.
Build a Friendly, Passionate Work Environment
Every member of the Stewart-Haas team featured in the video is happy. The culture of the team and the environment in which they work allows for complete dedication and focus on the ultimate goal of winning. They have the tools they need and a world class facility in which to work. They are clearly passionate about what they do and are encouraged to have fun doing it.
Systems and Process
Much like building a house, fabricating race cars requires thousands of important decisions. Make one mistake or skip a step and Tony will have no chance of winning (or worse). Notice the checklist taped to the quarterpanel of each race car. As each task is completed, its checked off the list. Before the car leaves the shop, the list is done and the car chief signs off. Nothing missed and full accountability.
Clean, Organized Workspace
Check out that shop. The floors are spotless. The place looks like a surgical suite. Clean and organized.
Working Toward a Common Mission
Every member of the team… Every employee… Every sponsor. They are all working toward the same simple goal. To win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. What is your firm’s mission? Is it clearly communicated to your team?
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UPDATE (05-16-2009): Tony Stewart won the 25th Annual Sprint Cup All Star Race and collected $1,000,000.00 for doing it.
The AIA has created the Navigating the Economy Web site, bringing you the latest resources–podcasts, articles, financial tips, best practices, and economic reports–to help you and your firm through these tough times.
A link from the site will send you to this article from SmallBusinessNotes.com:
Mark Vitner, a senior economist with first Union Corporation has been quoted as calling the belief that small businesses fare poorly in economic slowdowns, “a common misconception” that is not true. He believes that solidly run small businesses actually hold their own during downturns. While we all like to believe our businesses fit the definition of “solidly run”, let’s take a look at what are some commonly cited best practices for all businesses to be following during a time of economic downturn.
Revisit Your Business Plan
The number one recommendation, across the board, is to reexamine your business plan. Your business plan should be the working base for your company. Have you strayed from it in any way? Does it need revision in light of new information? Should you be considering whole new directions that are not included in it? Sit down and read it from the perspective of someone about to invest in your business – and make any revisions that seem appropriate. You may even identify additional information you need to know in order to make decisions about the future of the company.
Seek Supporters and Advisors
If ever there is a time to network, this is it. Many companies set up advisory boards that include a wide spectrum of professional expertise that they can draw on for advice. Such board members often are attorneys, certified public accountants, civic club leaders, owners or managers of businesses similar to yours or whom you do business with, and retired executives. The latest jargon for these types of boards is “Power Circles.” An apt name because the members should be power connections for you – knowledgeable about the environment in which you do business and able to connect you with the information you need to make good decisions. The purpose of the board is to offer you objectivity. They should be people you can be truthful with and who will keep your disclosures confidential. Most groups like this discuss specific business problems you have, using the meeting to brainstorm possible solutions.
If you don’t belong to civic and professional organizations, do it. Here are groups of people facing similar challenges to you. Their joint expertise and resources can be a powerful support mechanism when times are tough.
Make Customer Satisfaction Your Priority
Your customers are your lifeblood in any economic climate. In a downturn they are what keep you in business. Treat them very well. Spend time listening to your clients to hear what they like and do not like about the services you offer. Change those that you can. Take time to be innovative in meeting your customer needs. Perhaps taking the time to computerize customer information would allow you to more easily access their particular preferences and respond quickly to their needs. Perhaps taking time to call special clients to discuss how you could serve them better would be productive. Maybe an extra telephone line would speed the service time. Do whatever you need to do to keep your current customers loyal and to position yourself to win new customers.
Google the name “Gregory La Vardera” and you will view years and years of hard work listed on one page.
These days most architects have a website. Some have even started to blog, but few have an Internet presence equal to La Vardera.
A principal of a small firm located in Merchantville, New Jersey just minutes from Philadelphia, Greg has been developing and selling modern architecture home plans since 2002. He posts to his blog on a regular basis with progress on homes located throughout the world built using his plans.
Thanks to the sustainable green buzz and an increasing interest in modern design, there many sources for modern home plans and prefab houses. Greg was one of the first and today, he’s still one of the best.
From LaMiDesign.com:
Our mission is to fill the void in the house plan marketplace by offering modern home designs. Our designs are flexible and allow different people to use them in different ways. It is possible to build our designs with conventional methods familiar to any builder, or to introduce unique materials. If you always wanted a modern home, but thought a custom design was beyond your reach, then we think you may really like what you find here. We don’t know of anything else like it.
In addition to posting to his blog, Greg is also a regular at the CORA and LiveModern forums. His work has been posted on blogs throughout the net and he has been featured in several articles, both print and web.
More recently La Vardera teamed up with EcoSteel, manufacturer of contemporary building systems.
From LiveModern:
EcoSteel steel building systems are complete steel shell packages, ready for your interior customization. The pre-engineered and pre-fabricated EcoSteel building package includes a complete Insulated Steel Building System along with exterior doors, windows and trim.
EcoSteel’s program is the undeniable leading force in steel prefab construction. EcoSteel leverages an existing manufacturing network of 13 primary shipping points across the U.S. The pre-engineered and panelized steel systems are easily built by a commercial contractor. All of the steel components of an EcoSteel system are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and are clearly labeled which virtually eliminates mistakes and confusion typically associated with wood homebuilders venturing into steel construction.
EcoSteel is teaming up with Greg La Vardera of LaMiDesign to modern home designs, all built with steel. Pricing starts at $135/sf, complete.
Greg La Vardera… Entrepreneur Architect.
Michael Kaufman is a life long friend. We grew up snowmobiling and racing cars. Today, he’s a successful real estate broker in Manhattan… and he’s still going fast.
This past week he was featured on New York Residential on the WB11 (WPIX-NY). Once you click the link above, scroll down to “107 – The Style Sheet”.
What do you do for fun?
This is how blogs work. Thanks Bob.
My friend Vermont Architect Bob Swinburne is working hard. He’s designing some very interesting work, getting it built (sometimes that’s the hardest part) and winning design awards. Sounds like the foundation of a successful firm to me. Thing is, he lives and works in Brattleboro, VT. Residential architects are not in high demand and its tough to build a successful firm on local projects.
I think he’s on the right track though. He built a nice website and started blogging. The keys to a successful firm is to do good work (a prerequisite) and then show your work to the rest of the world. If you look at the most successful firms you know, chances are they are very good at promoting themselves.
If Dan Rockhill can build a successful firm in Lecompton, Kansas, Bob can spread the word of his work from Brattleboro. Promote thyself Bob, promote thyself.
A protege’ of Jonathan Segal, Sebastian Mariscal is making his mentor proud.
From ResidentialArchitect.com
At Sebastian Mariscal’s age, many young architects and designers are still struggling to find their sea legs. They’re chasing small remodeling jobs, hoping to build a track record of success that will bring larger commissions in the future. But while they’re treading water in their fledgling practices, Mariscal is sailing full speed ahead.
A designer, builder, and developer of boutique projects and custom homes in San Diego, the 37-year-old Mariscal oversees a thriving firm with a growing body of impressive work. Instantly recognizable, his buildings stress function and simplicity while exuding an understated luxury in their stainless steel, ipe, and limestone sheathing. For his efforts, he’s amassed a string of local AIA citations and garnered a 2003 Home of the Year Award from Architecture magazine.
Interested in learning how they’re doing it? Check out Jonathan Segal’s Architect as Developer seminar this August in Washington, DC.
Check out Sabastian Mariscal’s website here.
