Profit…then Art: 12 Steps to Building a Successful Small Firm

CRANPTA-2015

Included in subscription

1.00 LU

4.40

Course expires on: 02/24/2025

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Description

How many architects have you met who said that they got into architecture for money? More often than not, the element of creativity and design was the #1 motivating aspect for someone in the profession. But should it be? After viewing this course, you may become an architect who sees the word “profit” in a different way. Taking the steps and setting the foundation for a strong, healthy, profitable business can lead to an architect having the freedom to create art and more of it. This course presents the basic 12 fundamentals essential to a successful business in architecture, describing how they work and how to apply them in a small firm environment

Learning Objectives

check

Examine the 12 steps that are the fundamentals to a successful business in architecture.

check

Contrast the difference between Sales and Marketing as it applies to an architecture business.

check

Learn which aspects of your business to prioritize for effective productivity.

check

Identify unique considerations for structuring a business in the small firm environment.

This session was recorded live at the 2015 CRAN Symposium.

Instructors

Mark R. LePage

AIA

Mark R. LePage is the Partner in Charge of Operations at Fivecat Studio Architecture, a leading residential architecture firm located in Westchester County, New York. Mark and his wife, architect Annmarie McCarthy, launched Fivecat Studio in 1999 at the age of 29 with no money and no clients. Together they have grown the regional firm to a staff of six, managing projects worth more than $10 million. Mark is the founder of Entrepreneur Architect, this online education resource inspiring architects to build better businesses. He launched the blog in 2007 as a personal project to document ideas for business success. In 2012, Mark relaunched Entrepreneur Architect at EntreArchitect.com and introduced the The Entrepreneur Architect Podcast. Working to become an influential force in the profession, Mark’s mission is to teach sole proprietors, small firm architects and students the importance of business success in the profession of architecture.

View details

Similar courses

card_membership

Included in subscription

Setting Fees

This course takes a detailed look at setting fees, providing you with in-depth understanding of the impact of risk and the value of the services architects provide. You will learn "top-down", "bottom-up" and 'staff level" methods for building fees, with additional discussion of creating and managing contingencies properly. Course expires on 5/21/2026.

1.00 LU

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 3.98

card_membership

Included in subscription

Why is Accessibility So Hard?

Accessible design is inherently challenging because it’s not a "settled science." Standards are constantly evolving—sometimes even in conflict with one another. This course will cut through the confusion. Our discussion/exploration will: Review compliance missteps and achievements in real-world scenarios Identify phases of the design process where various concerns are best addressed Help you create a clear plan for accessibility success Address questions, comments, and concerns from members like you Hear from accessibility experts and learn from the experiences of your peers in this clarifying course. Course expires on 4/19/2026.

1.00 LU|HSW

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.13

card_membership

Included in subscription

Disruptive Small Firm Practices: Innovative Models for Expanding Services

A disruptive innovation helps create a new market and value network. In this course, three professionals will demonstrate how firms can utilize these innovations to expand into more sustainable and resilient business models beyond traditional architecture. Learn how to: Utilize tools to re-conceptualize your firm's expanded services offerings Determine how expanded services integrate with your current business models Develop strategies for marketing expanded services to new and existing architectural clients Consider how expanded services augment opportunities for traditional architectural services offerings Course expires on 1/2/2026.

1.00 LU

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.04

card_membership

Included in subscription

Accessible Architecture: Designing for Success (Part 2)

To get your projects right the first time, design and accessibility should go hand-in-hand. In this 3 part course, you'll learn the best practices for accessibility covering emerging trends, everyday mistakes made by contractors and architects and the best way to prepare drawings to get it right the first time. Don't let ADA compliance issues set you back and cost you money! Find out what it takes to avoid common mistakes and design for ADA compliance to the letter of the law. In Part 2, go in depth on compliance issues regarding accessible routes, ramps, parking spaces, protruding objects, doors and clear floor space, controls, and counters. Typical design issues will be highlighted regarding convenience stores, gas stations, and other retail outlets as well as specific cases involving owner decisions which negate ADA compliance. Course expires 5/22/2025

1.25 LU|HSW

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.49

card_membership

Included in subscription

Business of Architecture: Finance and Risk Management for Architects

This course explores concepts related to the finances in running an architecture firm and risk management. Large firms, small firms as well as sole practitioners need financial plans and risk management plans to sustain their practices, relationships and livelihood. Risk management should be embedded into the DNA of any firm or project. Learn high level ideas related to capitalization and investing and how you can apply them using the ABC’s of finance (Agreements, Budgets & Billing, and Collections) as well as key principles and considerations in managing risk at both the firm and project levels. Course expires 05/30/2025

1.50 LU

$35

Architect$35

Member Price

$50

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.44

card_membership

Included in subscription

Copy-Catting: Intellectual Property Principles and Rights

This course instructs architects and other design professionals about principles of intellectual property law as they relate to the creation, reproduction and use of original drawings, specifications and other documents. It is based on the premise that every design professional should have a solid working knowledge of intellectual property law, particularly copyright law, as it affects their work products and their use of other people’s work products. The issues have to do with compensation, professional credit and professional liability and are very important to the business of architecture. Course expires 4/19/2025

1.00 LU|HSW

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.46

card_membership

Included in subscription

AIA Entrepreneur Summit 2015: New Models

Within the context of business models, what are the characteristics that would make someone a successful entrepreneur? What are the obstacles for architects to break out of our traditional model? Economics plays a central role in our ability to expand services or take our practice in new directions. Our expert panel, moderated by AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, considers ways in which architects can create new sources of revenue by expanding their practices in different ways and embracing new models for doing business. Questions explored include how architects are uniquely suited to development, key measures for exploring development opportunities, and factors influencing the decision process around undertaking a new business venture. This cutting-edge discussion will inspire and enlighten you. This course expires on 4/20/2026.

1.50 LU

$35

Architect$35

Member Price

$50

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.13

card_membership

Included in subscription

Business Strategy

Keynote speaker Jim Cramer and a panel of experts in the business of architecture offer insightful analysis on the state of the profession as well as the fundamentals and entrepreneurial possibilities of a solid business strategy. Questions considered include: business education for emerging professionals, factors limiting small firm success, alternative career paths, and opportunities architects have to expand their services beyond the traditional design firm. This is a master class in business strategy for practitioners, providing insight and inspiration for anyone interested in improving the way they do business. Course expires 4/20/2025

1.50 LU

$35

Architect$35

Member Price

$50

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.19

card_membership

Included in subscription

Accessible Architecture: Designing for Success (Part 1)

To get your projects right the first time, design and accessibility should go hand-in-hand. In this 3 part course, you'll learn the best practices for accessibility covering emerging trends, everyday mistakes made by contractors and architects and the best way to prepare drawings to get it right the first time. Don't let ADA compliance issues set you back and cost you money! Find out what it takes to avoid common mistakes and design for ADA compliance to the letter of the law. In Part 1, review the history, mandates, and legal obligations of the ADA. The definitions and complications of implementation in various types of buildings are highlighted through case study examples and discussion. The course illustrates a comparison of standards and codes and the architect’s responsibility through contracts and documents, drawings and details, existing and new construction. Course expires 4/20/2025

1.00 LU|HSW

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.29

card_membership

Included in subscription

A More Productive and Fun Approach to Business Development

Would you like to develop a more effective business development strategy? One that leads to more rewarding and enduring client relationships—and better projects? Hear from three panelists who will share their perspective and advice on topics such as: Connecting with current contacts to create new opportunities and relationships Creating accountability for client relationships and effective channels for communication, feedback, and collaboration Overcoming a lack of natural inclination toward relationship-building Being disciplined about staying on track with strategic target clients You’ll leave with information and templates for developing a more productive and fun business development plan. After this course, you'll have everything you need to become a business development pro! Course expires 5/22/2025

1.00 LU

$30

Architect$30

Member Price

$45

Non-member Price

Learn more chevron_right 4.09