Business development strategies for architecture firms

Key quotes:

• "Considering the architectural arena today, the firms are also witnessing drastic changes across the business."
• "The best architecture firms in India are termed so, as they have adapted and adopted the changes to learn and grow."
• "· Network: While all business models across the globe are opting for the world-wide-web, many architectural firms are sticking to the old brick and mortar method for attracting and dealing with clients and exploring the horizons."
• "This approach needs to be changed, as people who are looking around architects shall land on your business website."
• "· Perennial Business: The traditional belief of creating a client base and leaving the things as they are, creates a big challenge in todays’ arena."
• "As per the traditional business model, firm creates a client base and then seizes the use of marketing tactics and strategies."

Key quotes:

• "It startled me to realize that even though every building I’ve ever stepped foot in is the result of a design and a plan, I had no idea how those decisions are actually made."
• "The first thing that surprised me about the process of architectural design was just how many people are involved and the amount of decisions that are made before construction begins."
• "During my research, I spoke with an architectural project manager, who highlighted that teams are more likely to be successful and move smoothly through the process if they are experience and have worked together before."
• "For example, as resident of Detroit, we are still dealing with the consequences of a project that was supposed to be completed in 2014, now fondly referred to as the“fail jail.” Although the industry has problems of its own, the high-stakes environment of designing and constructing buildings has forged a system of extremely careful planning, collaboration, and communication with some interesting lessons other industries."
• "Because there are so many decisions that need to be made about the design, materials, and layout of the building, architects are in constant communication with their clients."

Key quotes:

• "Where previously, architecture firms were the trusted institutions in terms of crafting great spaces, the hiring of Ingels means that WeWork now has the star power to build that trust into their own brand."
• "Where previously, architecture firms were the trusted institutions in terms of crafting great spaces, the hiring of Ingels means that WeWork now has the star power to build that trust into their own brand."
• "I bring this analogy up because the third option to compete with WeWork discussed above, of architecture firms branching out into a larger portion of the experience supply chain, could use Google’s strategy as a template."
• "If there are enough instances of this operating system, they could begin networking together to build patterns of use within each space as a whole thus providing the architecture firm with a wealth of information to better design with."
• "This would also provide architecture firms with an ever growing pool of knowledge with which to make informed design decisions and continue to craft client experiences even after construction stops."

Key quotes:

• "So I did all of those things that you’re supposed to do when starting out right."
• "As the work poured in (I’m exaggerating…trickled in is more like it), I quickly realized I was overwhelmed and I needed help."
• "For me, that partner turned out to be my wife, Pamela."
• "Looking back over these last few years, I’ve realized I couldn’t have picked a better partner."
• "I’d rather go fishing (which by the way, I hate, but not as much as those things)."
• "Lastly, I realize there are tons of sole practitioners out there who work alone day in and day out and have thriving firms."

Key quotes:

• "We do a lot of work for clients in the architecture, engineering, and real estate industries."
• "The hardest part for us has been developing our business chops, like getting new work and growing our client base."
• "Our clients tend to fall into two camps: startups and SaaS companies on the one hand, and AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) firms on the other."
• "We’ve had the opportunity to build powerful tools like ImageWall, a 3D configurator for 200ft perforated metal walls; digital platforms for the likes of MIT and Zahner; a prototype SDK for Flux, as well as some back of house software for large architecture firms."
• "Navigating between architecture and technology companies has given us a unique perspective on both sides of the equation: architects can gain a lot from a fresh approach to the digital aspect of their business, and our design-centric workflow fits in well with contemporary startup culture."
• "In addition to client work, we’ve got at least 4–5 ongoing internal projects."