Custom Residential Architects Network

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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Hello Michael, and congratulations with your IDP.  I hope you were successful with your exams.
Regarding learning how to run an architectural practice, you aren't going to learn what you need to know from any books.  Across the planet, the way architects learn is through apprenticeship, the same as doctors, hence the term "intern."  If you have not been working for another architect, you need to, for several years.  You need to be exposed to a range of situations that you really do not want to face green on your own.  Also, the AIA used to have 3 binders you could purchase with many of the contractual forms you need to run your business; you might inquire as to what form those presently are in and obtain those and read every word.  You will likely need to create some of your own agreements and you need to develop wordsmithing skills regarding those contracts to suit your practice, and find an attorney that will review your agreements in your state for a reasonable fee that won't bankrupt you.  You need to develop friendships with other architectural firms in whom you can confide and compare what you are doing with their practice and learn from each other.  This can be an exhilarating time, but also one fraught with dangers and landmines waiting out there for you to discover, so learning from others' mistakes and not repeating them would be very helpful to you.  Once again, apprenticing at another seasoned architect's office will give you the best instruction, as you would be Learning By Doing, which is the best method, but under the watchful eye of an experienced, licensed professional. 
If you don't think you can get a job in this economy, you appear to have something of interest to those that might hire you: projects!  Bang on their doors with a list of the jobs you would like to bring with you, naming clients, scope of job and potential fees and you will be welcomed with open arms. I do wish you well!

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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Rand Soellner Architect
Cashiers NC
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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Hi Michael,

Congratulations on completing your IDP and on your plans to start your own business. I have been in business for 15 years and have found a few books to be helpful:

* How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm by Albert W. Rubeling, Jr.
http://www.amazon.com/Start-Operate-Your-Design-Firm/dp/0070542228/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334761498&sr=1-2-spell

* Architect's Business Problem Solver by Kevin Mason
http://www.amazon.com/The-Architects-Business-Problem-Solver/dp/0070411069/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334763281&sr=1-1

* Management for the Small Design Firm: Handling your Practice, Personnel, Finances, and Projects by Jim Morgan
http://www.amazon.com/Management-Small-Design-Firm-Personnel/dp/0823029670/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334763351&sr=1-6

If you search Amazon, you'll probably find other great books that are more recent.

I have also found that you learn by doing, and (especially) by making mistakes. Your insurance company can be a great source of advice regarding client selection and contract development, as can your attorney.

Best of luck to you!

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Dawn Zuber AIA
Owner
Studio Z Architecture
Canton MI
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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Keep it very simple with very low overhead until you gain some traction and figure out what your area needs from you. This isn't exactly the best economy to break into, but these are the times when you can assemble a small business at a cheaper cost. You don't need to spend a lot of money on an office, equipment, employees etc. to provide design (build) solutions. Many small businesses fail because they get over extended on the first business loan and their business model doesn't generate the cash flow they estimated before taking out the loan. Stick your toe in the water before you jump in. Play some defense first before you get aggressive with the offense. Don't get too eager to take over the world your first week in business. Survival is the #1 goal!

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Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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I have been in business for over 30 years and the best book I have ever read in starting my small practice back then was "Small Time Operator" It covered all you needed to know about starting and running business. It was by Bible for many years. I hear there are current editions that covers today's business environment. Nothing specific to Architectural Practice but general enough so you can adapt to your needs.

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Joe Ramos AIA
Principal  Architect
Joe A. Ramos AIA- Architect
Upland CA
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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I would recommend How Firms Succeed by James Cramer and Scott Simpson. It was written for architecture firms and lays out the business pretty clearly and succinctly. I reread it every few years just to keep myself on track. It is still on the shelves and will probably be sold at the AIA Bookstore at the upcoming Convention.

Good luck!

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Douglas Mayo AIA
Doug Mayo Architect
New Orleans LA
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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After you've read all those other books written by architects, check these out. These are books on time management, structuring your business, marketing and sales. They are written by folks who specialize in making money. The main purpose of marketing is profit, after all (which we all know is not a strong suit for most architects).

"The E-Myth: Why Most Businesses Fail and What to Do About It" by Michael Gerber
Explains his premise through a case study about a woman who thought she knew all there was about selling pies just because she knew how to make really good pies. "Work on your business, not in your business."

"Getting Things Done" by David Allen
Time management guru who explains how to get all the "stuff" out of your head and into a system that allows you to get things done instead of fretting, worrying and thinking about them.

"Guerrilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits From Your Small Business"" by Jay Conrad Levinson and Seth Godin
A great book if you don't have a million dollar per year budget for marketing like big corporations do.

"Jump Start Your Business Brain" by Doug Hall
Marketing approach using scientific research, instead of common practices. "The 3 Laws of Marketing Dynamics"

"Book Yourself Solid" by Michael Port
Marketing and sales. Lead generation and conversion. the back panel of the book has glowing reviews by Michael Gerber (above), Seth Godin (co-author of "Guerilla Marketing"), Daniel Pink (author of "A Whole new Mind" and speaker at a recent AIA National Convention) and Ivan Misner (founder and CEO of BNI (Business Networking International), a great source of qualified referrals for me over the last two years. If you don't ahve a BNI in your area, you should start a chapter).

I would suggest you invest some time and money in developing a vision, a mission and goals for your business and think you could benefit greatly from working with a business coach.

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David Del Vecchio AIA
Architect
David Del Vecchio, Architect, LLC
Cranford NJ
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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Michael,

You have received some fantastic recommendations for books to inspire and help guide you into the business side of starting your own firm. After having my architect-led design-build practice for seventeen years in the Bay Area / San Francisco, I would like to offer a tangential view outside of printed material for you to consider.

The ability to communicate verbally in a clear, effective manner, with passion when required, with a deliberate tone when required and with confidence, cannot be stressed enough. Really think hard about what you do, how you want to do it, how you would like to do it and why you do it. Can you effectively communicate all this in detail if required? Can you hone it down to a 20 second elevator speech? Create a framework for dialogue that you will use to sell yourself, your design ideology and your business. Refine it continuously, never let it get stale and always embrace the opportunity to engage in this dialogue. Marketing is a 24/7 job that should always be a top priority and the ability to speak to anyone, at anytime, about what you do is vital. Often times, the most innocuous chance exchange or meeting with someone can provide you with an opportunity for work or for a referral leading to work.

The capacity to present your ideas to your client and then communicate these ideas to a host of other individuals involved with the project, all with different personalities, is a skill that can and will provide a bottom line contribution towards the success of your practice.

Good luck Michael!









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James Walbridge AIA
Principal
Tekton Architecture
San Francisco CA
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Show Original Message -------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2012 14:24
From: Michael Gustavson
Subject: Business Management Books?

I have just finished my ARE exams and all but two weeks of my IDP Hours.  I am starting to get small residential design and construction projects lined up.  I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of some good books to read or other resources to access that will help me understand how to start a small or solo practice.  I need to learn how to run a small architecture and possibly construction business, but I don't really have any mentors and my business knowledge is lacking.  Any thoughts?

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Michael Gustavson
Intern
Madison WI
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A book I found relevant about running a residential practice is "The Architect's Guide to Residential Design" by Michael Malone, AIA. He talks about his experience and the process of running his practice and it has case studies of actual projects.

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Ron Neggers AIA
Ron Neggers, Architect
Evanston IL
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This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
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Edward Acker AIA
Senior Architect
Winchester VA
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I would add to any list of good books for practice advice; Current Practices in Small Firm Management: An Architect's Notebook, by James R. Franklin, FAIA, published in the 1990's. Jim was a Resident Fellow at the AIA and was a fount of great practice ideas often framed in his wonderful graphic style. It is still a good read and a go-to source for practice guidance from "get the job" to "do the job well" and "make money." I just did a title search on the AIA's search engine and it is still available as a pdf. 

I think it would be wise for you to analyze the economics of practice as a sole practitioner in this current climate
- weigh it against your desire to practice - and create a map accordingly.-------------------------------------------
Michael Shepherd AIA
Owner
Michael Shepherd Architect AIA
Bozeman MT
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