Blog Archives




 

  • Top 25 quotes about architecture and inspiration
    - Friday August 3, 2012
    Since my first years in college, I began keeping a list of meaningful quotes. For me, they were architecture-related. Some distantly – theoretical; some straight up like a good cocktail. They all grounded me while at the same time lifted me – inspiring me to greatness.   It’s rare to find a client that allows you to actually produce architecture … Architecture, rather. I think I’ve only had a few since I completed my graduate work in 1996. So, like glancing at the ubiquitous motivational magnets magically clinging to the side of the Sub-Zero fridge, my list of quotes is occasionally dusted off from beneath the stacks of architecture and design journals for a quick read while I await the next exciting client.   The...

  • In a negotiated team, everyone wins
    By Bonnie Pickartz - Thursday July 19, 2012
    In the good old days...before the fall of 2008...most contractors were working with either cost-plus or hard-bid contracts. You did your homework, calculated your costs, overhead, profit, and you bid the job. You were either high bidder, low bidder or maybe in the middle of the bidding field. The chips fell where they would and you moved forward as the successful bidder or went on to bid another job.   Fast-forward almost four years and you'll find clients more wary, loans harder to get and fewer projects to bid. To add to the conundrum, competitors are hungrier, and costs and labor haven't gone down.   So, what do we do? We work smarter and become more client-centric. We work with clients early in the process, becoming part of...

  • People are talking about you. Are you listening?
    By Todd Vendituoli - Thursday July 5, 2012
    Being in the construction field, I am aware of the amount of time it takes to work on a project. There are meetings with clients to discuss the various aspects of the project, and going over their expectations. Then there are meetings and planning times to arrange for materials and subcontractors so everything runs smoothly. And, let’s not forget the actual time involved to physically complete a project. Now here I come telling you that there is more to be done to keep your business moving forward. Yet, the world is changing daily and new ways of business are constantly evolving. You could ignore them and hope it goes away but I find that impractical. Today, the internet and smartphones have changed how almost everything works, and...

  • Minor tweaks to materials create multiple uses
    By Todd Mather - Thursday June 28, 2012
    While “six degrees of separation” is the modern phrase for a 1929 social connectivity theory in our modern world, I like to promote something similar in my custom homes. Because familiarity in design concepts, materials and products is often where our clients find great satisfaction, it is often a challenge to be as creative as we architects and builders would like to be. I find that to be the case in nearly every project; almost every client.   Due to this, I have developed several systems for explaining simple design ideas that perhaps are very new to my clients. One such idea that I promote and have found success in promulgating, I term One Degree of Separation .   One Degree of Separation includes modifying one...

  • It’s All About People
    By Bonnie Pickartz - Wednesday June 20, 2012
    All business is about people. While we sometimes get sidetracked and think it’s about the work we do, the products we sell and the service we provide, we need to remember that it’s really about the people we work with ... clients, employees and suppliers. When you step back and look at the big picture, you will see someone else selling windows and siding, someone else doing remodels and building new homes, someone else who works with the same suppliers and can provide the same products and services. What sets you apart? What can you do to build relationships with prospective clients? What can you do to ensure that your employees are treating people well and building those same relationships? Are you committed to helping your suppliers...

  • Asking The Dumb Question
    By Todd Mather - Thursday June 14, 2012
    Undoubtedly, it’s within the third or fourth meeting with my clients that I find myself having to explain my statement: “I’m really not thick-headed.” And it is generally after they give me that look. You know the one.  That facial expression where they appear to be dumbfounded that I would have to ask seemingly ridiculous questions or have them clarify a seemingly obvious answer. It might go something like this: “Of course I don't want a door into my master bathroom!” or “Do you really have clients who want to see their kitchen from their front door?” They say it with disgust that suggests a lapse in trust that their new architect would even be entertaining this conversation. While yes, although we’re...

  • Change Perception: Make Green the Standard
    By Todd Vendituoli - Thursday June 7, 2012
    We hear a great deal about green homes. It’s it the news and many people try to use green in their homes as a selling point. However the term is misleading and has been branded in ways that many do not totally understand. Recently I asked someone if they were in the market to build a new home, would they make it a green-built home? I should also mention that this person is what I would call the average American; they are not wealthy but they are not poor either. They said they would love to but assumed it would add too much to the cost of the project. They were under the impression that “green” equals higher building costs. So there seems to be a few problems here that need to be addressed. One is that green needs to be rebranded to...

  • What kind of boss are you?
    By Maureen Alley - Friday June 1, 2012
    Do you know if you're a good or bad boss? Earlier this week, AOL posted an article about the seven characteristics of bad bosses . It's an interesting list and I've experienced bosses who've done all of them. I agree with the article that if you change your approach, your management style and leadership will approve.  Oftentimes problems come from lack of communication or poor use of it. That's proven in this list as many of the characteristics involve communication. I especially love number seven: Hinting, rather than speaking straightforwardly. Hey boss, be direct. Everyone will have a better understanding of what you want and how you want it done if you're clear and concise. As someone who grew up in D.C., I love people who are...

  • My refinancing revelations
    By Rob Heselbarth - Thursday May 24, 2012
    It’s a rare day that something truly shocking happens. Last month, I was shocked. My wife and I are going through the process of refinancing our mortgage, and one day in May we received a call from the bank with the results of our appraisal. I wish we missed that call. We expected a low number, but not this low. Zillow.com is way, way off the mark. Not even close, really. Equally as significant as the low home value was the number of foreclosed or distressed homes in my neighborhood. I’ve known that Illinois has had one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the country, but when reality hits so close to home, like I said, it’s shocking. Aside from realizing how depressed my local housing market is, another realization was how the...

  • Are you LinkedIn and linked up?
    By Bonnie Pickartz - Thursday May 17, 2012
    Social media can be a bit overwhelming. You're working hard to stay afloat. You've reinvented your business by adding new products and services. You spend more time working on proposals, beating the bushes to keep work in the pipeline, and trying to do more with less staff. And now you hear that you should be more active in social media. Well, you're hearing it right. And while you're using your social media outlets to make yourself more available, to let people know that you are open for business and to establish your authority in your field, you can easily miss yet another advantage social media offers. Social media can be an educational resource. Use it! Recently a client asked about the pros and cons of different window materials...

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