Architecture & Engineering Business Strategies

Latest Episodes:

Black Spectacles: How to Build a Business with a Mission in Architecture (w/ Marc Teer) Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

There is a saying that you don’t become a good architect until you’re 60. But what if it doesn't have to take that long to acquire major skills and hit career milestones? There is a sizable learning gap in architecture. Marc Teer, CEO and founder of Black Spectacles, is on a quest to close that gap by delivering on-demand software education, test preparation, and career development resources that can push you to the next level.

Interview Takeaways

Solve the software learning problem
Improve test prep
Help architects throughout their career
Follow your passion
Narrow your options through your purpose
Use values to evaluate candidates
Keep everyone swimming in the same direction
Give people a tool for making decisions
Go remote to clear hiring roadblocks
Learn from the master/apprentice model
Democratize learning
Make skills attainable earlier

Show Links

Check out Black Spectacles
Follow Black Spectacles on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with Marc Teer on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

HKS: How to Design a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion (w/ Yiselle Santos Rivera) Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

Do you want to be a JEDI? At HKS Architects, the acronym stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. From defining shared vocabulary to setting benchmarks for success, it can be a long process to get such programs off the ground. JEDI Director Yiselle Santos explained why it’s well worth it, and how you can start.

Interview Takeaways

Get buy-in at every level
Define the JEDI framework
Anchor your program with a mission and vision
Focus on business outcomes
Solidify common language
Empower high-performing diverse teams
Set metrics for social justice
Delve into the data
Bridge the gap between technical and experiential
Look at the long game
Set your scope for social justice
Start your JEDI journey

Show Links

Check out HKS
Follow HKS on LinkedIn
Connect with Yiselle Santos on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

H+O Structural Engineering: How to Run an Operationally Efficient Organization (w/ Rens Hayes) Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Architecture and engineering are careers that offer a lot of autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit. But these industries also breed chaotic organizations and burnout. Rens Hayes, founder of H+O Structural Engineering, has set out to do things differently. He shared with us how he’s built a people-first business that’s all about value-driven growth.

Interview Takeaways

Help good people find you
Define your mission, vision, and values
Fight back against burnout culture
Use your core values to create results
Integrate your values into every decision and message
Attract the right people by sharing your story
Create a triangle-shaped framework for success
Incentivize great performance
Develop leaders who want to stay
Reward continual improvement
Weigh value alignment over local availability
Balance the eight core areas of business

Show Links

Check out H+O Structural Engineering
Follow H+O Structural Engineering on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with Rens Hayes on LinkedIn
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

Airtable: How a Focus On Operations Can Improve Your Business (w/ Jackie Park) Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

How can architects benefit from a collaborative platform like Airtable? If you’re interested in getting organized, it’s a no-brainer. Airtable’s own Jackie Park joined Monograph to explain how Airtable features can help hone your firm’s operations, from FF&E to recruitment. Whether you use Airtable or something else, the best part is that digital tools can free up more time for the creative work architects love.

Interview Takeaways

Use digital tools to organize information
Airtable is a digital tool kit
Jackie Park’s journey from architecture to sales
Hone your digital customer pipeline
Use Airtable for FF&E tasks
Leverage a customizable database
Use Airtable to organize the approval process
The value of a shared workbench
Organize and automate recruiting tasks
Use Airtable to streamline operations
Free up time for design
Choose a digital platform based on your needs

Show Links

Check out Airtable
Follow Airtable on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with Jackie Park on LinkedIn
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

Common: How to Design a Design Organization (w/ Jenn Chang) Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Common is the nation’s leading co-living brand operator. That means it’s two things at once: a housing company and a tech startup. It's a company where designers bridge the gap between software developer and property developer clients. It’s a unique role for an architect, and no one knows that better than Jenn Chang. Jenn started out as Common’s very first architect. Today, she serves as the company’s Vice President of Studio, Common's in-house design and construction team. Both Common and Jenn’s success has hinged on adaptability - and the ability to learn from lessons along the way.

Interview Takeaways

At Common, tech meets residential
Jenn Chang charted new territory as Common's first architect
Find the balance of creative ideas
Create new opportunities with a proactive approach
The brand operator model
Offer flexible services based on client needs
Analyze building performance data
Hire for internal aptitude
Foster an autonomous work environment
Advocate for yourself and your team
Shift your company concept

Show Links

Check out Common
Follow Common on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with Jenn Chang on LinkedIn
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

UpSpring PR: How to Build a PR Strategy (w/ Tiffany Rafii) Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

PR can seem complicated. But Tiffany Rafii knows that the right marketing strategy is a game-changer for every industry. The CEO and co-founder of UpSpring PR, Tiffany has been running her full-service communications agency for the architecture, design, and real estate markets since 2009. Today, her 25+ person team leverages digital and strategic PR to increase brand awareness and market share for dozens of companies.

Interview Takeaways

Leverage growth with PR
Time your PR efforts right
Grow business step-by-step
Position for initial growth
Use the talent you have
Choose how to grow
Double your focus group benefits
Balance focus and flexibility
Define your goals
Get out there with SEO
Open the door with PR
Let go of the paid-ad dream

Show Links

Check out UpSpring PR
Connect with Tiffany Rafii on LinkedIn
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

SHoP Architects: How To Structure Innovative Project Teams (w/ Luisa Mendez) Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

Few architecture firms can be seen as true trailblazers. But SHoP Architects is defying convention on everything from design to fabrication to installation. Luisa Mendez is a Senior Associate at SHoP Architects in New York City, where she has worked on projects like the Design Miami Pavilion, the Barclay Center, and the Porterhouse building. So how can you use technology and unique construction design to disrupt an industry? By leveraging digital delivery and tracking specific goals.

Interview Takeaways

SHoP’s 3 pillars
The roles at SHoP
Why you should mix experience levels and specialties
Give designers the choice to specialize...or not
Set up systems for employee success
Three-fold project goals: value, data-driven, and time-driven
Meet goals thanks to an invested team
How a 3D project delivery system improves communication
Leverage digital delivery tools
The lagging tech at city agencies
Luisa’s dream firm setup
How digital tools can catch problems before they happen

Show Links

Check out SHoP Architects
Follow SHoP Architects on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Luisa Mendez on LinkedIn
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Twitter
Listen and read more about Monograph

ZGF: How To Win Projects with Great Storytelling (w/ Matthew Keeshin) Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

How can you turn your architecture business into a PR machine? By telling incredible stories about the services you provide and the projects you’ve completed. Matthew Keeshin has a rich background in both architecture and writing. Currently the digital media manager at ZGF, he explained why telling great stories goes beyond the buildings themselves.

Interview Takeaways

Stay connected with analytics
Treat social media like blackjack
Take stories beyond the building
Act like an advisor
Define the communication strategy
Seek inspiration from other industries
Craft a signature look and feel
Create bite-sized information
Keep imagination alive
Position yourself as a leader
Your online presence is your calling card
Build relationships to reach your goals

Show Links

Check out ZGF
Connect with Matthew Keeshin on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Twitter
Listen and read more about Monograph

HOPEWORKSDESIGN: How To Market Your Architecture Firm (w/ Hope Trory) Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

When architecture firms collapsed during the ‘08 recession, Hope Trory realized that the traditional architecture industry desperately needed better online marketing. Hope is on a mission to help architecture firms grow - in any market. As founder of HOPEWORKSDESIGN, she helps small to midsize firms implement modern marketing strategies in traditional industries. Hope combines industry expertise, online marketing strategy, and her architecture background to help firms connect with their online audience.

Interview Takeaways

Recession-proof your architecture firm
Go deeper with your website
Define your messaging
Attract your dream clients
Learn your customers’ language
Build your online reputation
Filter for better leads
Tap into more budgets + markets
Crunch the marketing numbers
Look back to move forward
Automate the filtering process
Find the right marketing firm

Show Links

Check out HOPEWORKSDESIGN
Connect with Hope Trory on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

Hassell: How To Run a Data-driven Architecture Firm (w/ Dr. Daniel Davis) Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

How does technology influence architecture? How does architecture influence people? Those are the questions that consume Dr. Daniel Davis, senior researcher at Hassell and former Director of Research at WeWork. Daniel joined Monograph’s George Valdes to discuss the various ways that firms can approach, apply, and measure data.

Interview Takeaways

Which firms should embrace data
Applying technology to business, not just design
Rationalizing research
Justifying design decisions with evidence
Where firms don’t step in, other companies will
Why certain firms don’t care about data
Post-occupancy data is the holy grail
Finding inspiration in the tech world
Experimenting with new lines of revenue
The dream of shared data
Seeking new ways to analyze performance

Show Links

Connect with Dr. Daniel Davis on LinkedIn or Twitter
Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter
Check out Monograph
Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram
Listen and read more about Monograph

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