Financial Management Basics for Small Firms: How to Improve Profitability

Design firms operate in an unpredictable environment. An unexpected issue on a project or a particularly difficult client can sometimes have a disastrous impact on firm profitability. These situations are often beyond the control of a practitioner. Bad things do happen to good architects, even when they follow all best practices.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to improve profitability through taking action in arenas where firm leaders do have some control. This live session describes four essential actions necessary to becoming more profitable: controlling scope creep, improving work processes, balancing staff skill with work types, and charging higher fees. With input from a small firm owner, practical methods for addressing each of these issues will be outlined, including an introduction to important financial management concepts. Time will be set aside for participant questions in a live, real-time forum.

Hosted by the Small Firm Exchange (SFx).