It is interesting to see/hear that there are more Architects concerned
about the business aspects of our Profession.....not "Industry" by the
way!
Small firms have the same concerns as the starchitects. However, more
often the concerns managing and operating small firms is more critical.
In my former life I concerned myself with the Design. Somewhere ....back
there I became aware of the more important issues ....business.
Firm Management
Business Operations
Client Acquisition/Marketing
Client Mgmnt.
Getting Paid......not dirty words...."making money"!
Staying Current..... most important.
Staying current involves networking which runs through all of your
queries and concerns expressed in the past posts
I seek out opportunities to gather among colleagues through Cont Edu.
tutorials and seminars. The most recent will be a NY State AIA Small
Firm Symposium this Fall
As some said the AIA is more than somewhat lax in providing these
opportunities to gather and exchange,learn through sharing experiences
with those among us regarding business!
One of you also said ACEC does provide such ......which is true from
personal experience I provide Training and
Professional Development (T/PD) programs focused toward the emerging
professionals who like us who did not and those now who do not get
business readiness programs in Academia. There was not is not any such
thing in the "A" schools. And so now, whatever I learn ,I share with
those who will follow after.
Keep up this dialogue and turn it into something concrete.
Steve.... I did check your reference and came away with something
called....The Round Table Tool Kit....A model for sharing knowledge!
(Small Project Practitioners). It's a simple course to...."next week we
have to get organized.....then......now that we're organized , what do
we do?. It should be a groundwork to help small practitioners who are
otherwise overloaded with current technology and multitasking.As well,
it should promote members professional development via local seminars
and member interaction....creating their own sharing network.
Go.....get it on!
Charles P. Lazarou Architect
Original Message------
Mary (and all):
i could not agree with you more. This discussion group aside I have always felt the AIA gives little to no support to actual practicing architects. I am a founding principal of a 19 year old firm of 28 people in three states. I would welcome a group that focused on issues important to principals and managing partners; folks who run businesses and are active daily architects. As Mary mentioned, support on managing and growing a firm would be helpful. Being able to discuss methods for sharing of or transitioning of ownership and hiring and growing employees would be incredibly beneficial.
Moreover, it would be refreshing to have a peer group focused on practical issues such as inconsistency of codes, liability associated with accessibility, personal liability laws for professionals in some states such as Florida or even what are the true reasons so few interns actually become licensed. The only group I have found thus far that comes even close is the ACEC which is for engineers. However, I have been to many events and seminars they have hosted and they provide professional support and leadership growth that I truly wish the AIA would add to its list of priorities.
I will keep my eye on this discussion for any movement toward the formation of a group or suggestion of a good one for small to mid sized firms (or frankly, one open to all firms would be of most interest. We can all learn from each other's experiences).
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[ Nea May] [Poole] AIA
[Principal]
[Poole & Poole Architecture, LLC]
[Richmond, ] [Virginia]
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