Staying small successfully : a guide for architects, engineers, and design professionals / Frank A. Stasiowski.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stasiowski, Frank, 1948-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Architectural services marketing--United States.

Architectural services marketing.

Engineering services marketing.

United States.

Engineering services marketing--United States.

Design services--United States--Marketing.

Design services.

Marketing.

Physical Description:

xiii, 320 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Wiley, [2001]

Summary:

Many architects, landscape architects, and interior designers are self-employed or are partners in small firms. These professionals must understand the management, administrative, and planning skills that are critical to the success of a design firm--and apply them to a small business profile. The revision of this best-selling book addresses the latest changes that affect the successful management and growth of small firms.

Contents:

New Opportunities for Success 1

We're in an Industry Sea Change 2

Identify Your Smarts 2

Develop Leaders in Your Firm 3

Be Proud of Who You Are 3

Chapter 1 Planning and Strategy 5

The Need for Vision 6

Defining a Vision 7

The Concise Written Vision 9

Elements of a Plan 9

Conducting a Planning Meeting 34

Repeat the Process Periodically 37

Success Challenges 43

Chapter 2 Focusing Your Practice 45

Advantages of Focusing the Practice 46

Steps to Focusing 46

Success Challenges 86

Chapter 3 Strategic Alliances 87

The Unique Rewards of Strategic Alliances 89

Communication Is the Key 93

Framing a Strategic Alliance 93

Success Challenges 94

Chapter 4 Servicing the Client 95

Service versus Design 98

Little Things That Count Big 99

Responsiveness 105

Project Management 105

Quality Control 119

Quality Control for the Actual Work 126

Innovate Even Normal Activities 134

Success Challenges 136

Chapter 5 Personnel 137

Hiring 137

Controlling Your Ego 138

How to Attract Top People 139

Develop Top Performers from Within 141

Announce Positions Within 146

Delegate! 146

Probation Period 151

Fire Incompetents 151

Employment Contracts 152

Success Challenges 157

Chapter 6 Compensation 159

Motivating Design Professionals 159

Benefits 163

Timing Pay Raises 164

Incentive Compensation 165

Career Tracking 171

Creating an Atmosphere of Achievement 171

Success Challenges 173

Chapter 7 Managing the Bottom Line 175

Simplified Financial Planning 177

Budgeting 177

Key Financial Measures 184

Profit Is Everything 192

Sharing Financial Information 201

Success Challenges 201

Chapter 8 Information Technology 203

Developing Your Strategic Information Technology Plan 206

Understand Your Systems 208

Standard Issues 209

Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) 212

Virtual Reality 217

Using Your Computer as a Presentation Tool 219

Collaborative Computing 220

From Internet to Extranet 222

Internet/Intranet Strategies 223

Implementation Issues 225

Success Challenges 226

Chapter 9 Growth 227

Benefits of Small Firms 227

Defining Your Growth 229

When to Grow 229

Ways to Grow 230

Growth Rate 232

Stages of Growth 232

Risks Inherent in Growth 234

Success Challenges 234

Chapter 10 The Psychology of Winning 237

Ownership Transition 238

Competing with Your Peers 239

Success Challenges 244

Chapter 11 Do's and Don'ts of Success 247

Success Challenges 268

Appendix A Buy/Sell Agreements 271

Appendix B Preparing Your Marketing Plan: Techniques and What to Include 301

Appendix C Is Your Cover Letter Making a Difference? 305.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 309-310) and index.

ISBN:

0471407739

OCLC:

46422158