Management for the small design firm : handling your practice, personnel, finances, and projects : lessons for architects and interior designers from fellow professionals / Jim Morgan.

Format:

• Book

Author/Creator:

• Morgan, Jim, 1934-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Architectural practice--United States--Management.
• Architectural practice.
• United States.
• Management.
• Design services--United States--Management.
• Design services.

Physical Description:

176 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Whitney Library of Design, [1998]

Summary:

Using studies of twenty successful studios, this excellent guide addresses all concerns of design firms. 100 color and 50 b&w illustrations.

Contents:

• Thoughts on Management for the Small Design Firm 8
• What Exactly Is Management, Anyway? 8
• Why Differentiate Design Management from Other Specialties? 10
• Do Designers Need to Pay More Attention to Management? 11
• How Does Downsizing Affect Architects and Designers? 12
• Is Computerization the Solution
• or Just the Next Problem? 13
• What Is the Future for the Design Professions? 14
• Chapter 1 Practice Management 15
• Analyzing Your Firm's Strengths and Weaknesses 16
• Marketing as an Executive Function 18
• Specialization or Diversity? An Executive Decision 19
• Follow-Up and Client Cultivation 20
• Public Relations as a Marketing Strategy 22
• Selling Your Professional Services: A Crucial Executive Function 23
• Methods of Compensation: A Brief, Direct Proposal 24
• Negotiating the Fee 25
• Securing a Big Enough Retainer 27
• Chapter 2 Human Resources Management 29
• People and the Designer 29
• Becoming an Employer 30
• Creating and Choosing Your Staff 32
• Managing Staff Development 33
• Options for Organizing Your Firm 34
• Management Styles 36
• Basics of Good Management 37
• Managing Everybody Else, Especially Clients 40
• Chapter 3 Financial Management 44
• Profit and the Small Design Firm 44
• What It Takes to Finance a Design Practice 45
• Capital Formation and Maintenance 46
• Borrowing Money and Meeting Debt Obligations 48
• The Business Plan: Crux of Sound Financial Management 49
• Obtaining Professional Advice on Financial Management 50
• Professional Insurance and the Small Design Firm 51
• Partnerships, Professional Corporations, and Other Options 53
• Electronic Media and Financial Management 54
• Planning for Retirement 57
• Chapter 4 Project Management 59
• Taking the Client's Schedule and Budget Seriously 59
• Contract Preparation as an Executive Responsibility 60
• The Design Executive's Role in Contract Administration 63
• Managing Design Contracts 64
• Facilitated Decision-Making 67
• Documenting the Contract Administration Process 69
• Project Management and Electronic Media 70
• Management of Particularly Sensitive Issues 73
• Chapter 5 Design-Practice Dialogues 75
• Chicago Associates Planners and Architects (CAPA) 75
• Croxton Collaborative, P.C. 82
• Freya Block Design, Inc. 89
• Garth Sheriff + Associates 94
• Glenn Garrison, Inc. 101
• Harden Van Arnam, Architects 107
• Hughes Group, Ltd. 114
• Janice Stevenor Dale Associates 121
• Judith Stockman and Associates 127
• Laura Bohn Design Associates, Inc. (LBDA) 134
• Lee Stout, Inc. 140
• Michael Pyatok and Associates 147
• Roberta Washington Architects, P.C. 154
• Rockwell Associates 161
• William B. Koster and Associates 167.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 173) and index.

ISBN:

0823029670

OCLC:

36501329