ArchitectCEO Update: Lessons from the Burger Shack

Recently we went out for dinner for my son's 12th birthday. He wanted to get burgers at Five Guys, a popular burger spot.

As we were ordering, I noticed a number of certificates on the call above the cash register. In today's update, you'll discover one critical key for building a 'Class A' team.

If you're looking to build a team so your business can grow beyond you, that's exactly why I created the DREAM Practice Accelerator - to help firm owners like you create a practice built on consistency, freedom, fulfillment, and exceptional finances.

If you'd like to learn more, a good place to start is my upcoming LIVE Architect Masterclass on "4 Keys to Put Your Architecture Firm on Autopilot So You Can Focus on Serving Raving Fan Clients ... Instead of Dealing with Chaos
(Even If You Have a Small Team and No Free Time)".

Register for this FREE live Architect Masterclass here: http://architectresources.org/9nsg6

Carpe diem!

Enoch

Recently I took my kids to the burger shack for my son's 12th birthday dinner.

My wife was out of town and this was his special request.

While there, I was reminded of an important lesson about getting what you want out of life.

Helping you get what you want is why I created the DREAM Practice Accelerator - to help you build a practice built on consistency, freedom, fulfillment, and exceptional finances.

If you'd like to learn more, a good place to start is my upcoming LIVE Architect Masterclass on "4 Keys to Put Your Architecture Firm on Autopilot So You Can Focus on Serving Raving Fan Clients ... Instead of Dealing with Chaos
(Even If You Have a Small Team and No Free Time)".

Register for this FREE live Architect Masterclass here: http://architectresources.org/9n7w2

Carpe diem!

Enoch

Today, I’m joined by Rion Willard, the host of Business of Architecture UK, as we look back on our experience in running our individual podcasts.

Opening up and sharing your process to an audience can be quite daunting - the anxiety, the shaky first few steps, the very loud, very annoying, hesitant inner voice. What do you even talk about? Why?

For part 1, we start off with how podcasting not only helps you in showcasing and refining your brand but how a change in perspective can shape how we think and run our businesses. We also get into some basics from figuring out which podcasting style works for you, equipment and some set-up tips to help you get started.

► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates:

https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture

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For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful and fulfilling practice, connect with me on:
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Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/podcast/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id588987926
Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast

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Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live

Carpe Diem!

ArchitectCEO Update: A Time to Speak, A Time to Listen

Have you ever done or something really stupid that makes you cringe when you think on it?

Back when I was a newly minted architect I did such a thing. Listen to today's episode to discover my dirty little secret.

Many firm owners want to get to the next level in their practice, or set up their firm to transition.

That's exactly why I created the DREAM Practice Accelerator - to help firm owners create a practice built on consistency, freedom, fulfillment, and exceptional finances.

If you'd like to learn more, a good place to start is my upcoming LIVE Architect Masterclass on "4 Keys to Put Your Architecture Firm on Autopilot So You Can Focus on Serving Raving Fan Clients ... Instead of Dealing with Chaos
(Even If You Have a Small Team and No Free Time)".

Register for this FREE live Architect Masterclass here: http://architectresources.org/listen

Carpe diem!

Enoch

Last week while camping I saw a sheepdog stalking a chipmunk sitting on a log. The dog stared intently at the chipmunk while remaining perfectly still.

Every so often, the dog would take one small step forward. The chipmunk remained frozen ... perhaps wondering what was happening.

I didn't stay to watch the conclusion of the battle of the dog vs. chipmunk to see if the dog got her prize, but it made me think about the game of client acquisition in your architecture firm.

Just like a dog stalking a chipmunk, there is a skill to positioning your firm to attract and win your ideal clients and projects.

In today's ArchitectCEO Update, you'll discover three keys for client acquisition. Listen to today's episode and let me know what you think.

Want a shortcut to finding and winning your ideal clients?

That's exactly why I created the DREAM Practice Accelerator for architecture firm owners - to help firm owners create a practice built on consistency, freedom, fulfillment, and exceptional finances.

If you'd like to learn more, a good place to start is my upcoming LIVE Architect Masterclass on "4 Keys to Put Your Architecture Firm on Autopilot So You Can Focus on Serving Raving Fan Clients ... Instead of Dealing with Chaos (Even If You Have a Small Team and No Free Time)".

Register for this FREE live Architect Masterclass here: http://architectresources.org/dog-vs-chipmunk

Carpe diem!

Enoch

ArchitectCEO Update: Manufacture Lack of Competition and Dominate Your Market - the parable of Marshmallow Marketing.

This past weekend we camped at Huntington Lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains - sailing and getting dirty.

Upon arrival (a 2 1/2 hour drive), we discovered that we'd forgotten a critical camping item ... the marshmallows.

The kids were in an uproar.

Oh no! What to do?

Fortunately, there's a general store at the lake where I found the beloved marshmallows.

Because we were in the high Sierras, I paid USD 4 for a bag of marshmallows that would normally cost $2.50 at the local grocery store.

That's a monopoly - the general store can charge what they want for marshmallows because there's no place else to get them.

If I want to buy marshmallows, I need to spend $4.

Did I feel ripped off?

Nope - $4 is a small price to pay to entertain six children for an hour.

This got me to thinking about how one of the keys to being in demand and charging higher prices is to create your virtual monopoly by manufacturing lack of competition.

Watch today's video to discover three ways to manufacture lack of competition in your market.

Want a shortcut to manufacturing lack of competition in your market?

That's exactly why I created the DREAM Practice Accelerator for architecture firm owners - to help firm owners create a practice built on freedom, fulfillment, and exceptional finances.

If you'd like to learn more, a good place to start is my upcoming LIVE Architect Masterclass on "4 Keys to Put Your Architecture Firm on Autopilot So You Can Focus on Serving Raving Fan Clients ... Instead of Dealing with Chaos
(Even If You Have a Small Team and No Free Time)".

Register for this FREE live Architect Masterclass here: http://architectresources.org/j8n47

Carpe diem.

Enoch

ArchitectCEO Update: why referrals can be your firm's death knell.

I know today's post will be controversial - you'll discover why depending on word-of-mouth alone can be a death knell for your architecture firm.

To discover how to escape the referral / death knell cycle, register for my next FREE Architect Masterclass on the 4 keys to building your DREAM Practice: http://architectresources.org/9mj74g7

Enoch

ArchitectCEO Update: One Key to Winning Better Projects and Clients.

Recently I went to the auto parts store buy some oil for my car. I walked through the store and was greeted by an entire wall of oil - expensive oil, cheap oil, brand name oil and no-name oil, high performance oil and well ... regular oil.

This got me thinking about the foundational key I teach every architect who I work with. This ONE KEY forms the foundation of every successful pratice I've studied and worked with.

To discover more about winning better projects and clients, register for my next FREE Live Architect Masterclass: http://architectresources.org/ij9ht74

ArchitectCEO Update: One Critical Sales Mistake Architects Make

Truth be told, we architects don't think of ourselves as 'selling.' That's a dirty word. Architects are artists, we create not sell ... right?

Semantics aside, we're ALWAYS selling, as author Daniel Pink eloquently points out in his book, "To Sell is Human."

In today's ArchitectCEO Update, you'll discover the parable of the Glass Shop, and one critical error that architects make in their sales process.

To discover how to avoid this mistake, register for my next FREE Architect Masterclass on the three keys to creating your DREAM Practice: http://architectresources.org/b7s63

Enoch

ArchitectCEO Daily Update: today's topic is ... One Critical Mistake Architecture Firm Owners Make (everyone makes this mistake - me too).

The other day I got a package from Amazon, and I noticed something remarkable about the box. Listen to today's ArchitectCEO Update to discover the parable of the Amazon box.

Discover how to prevent this mistakes from happening in YOUR firm by attending my next free LIVE Architect Masterclass - register here: http://architectresources.org/jns72i

Enoch

ArchitectCEO Daily Update: today's parable is - Little Whiteboard.

When I work out in the morning, I use a small whiteboard to track how exercises I've done. Recently, I did a workout that included a set of complex movements repeated 10 times.

I'm not sure, but I think that somewhere along the line I lost track of the number of rounds I'd done. :(

Everyone else finished at least 1 round ahead of me.

This got me to thinking about the power and importance of tracking and knowing the numbers in your architecture firm as an ArchitectCEO.

There are a lot of important numbers to track, from complex key performance indicators like utilization and break-even rates, to simple metrics like the work in progress or pipeline backlog.

In today's episode, you'll discover why tracking your numbers is essential to running a DREAM Practice, and the metrics I recommend you start with if you don't know where to start. Let me know what you think.

ArchitectCEO Update: the parable of Lollipops at the Carwash. The other day I was driving around with my two oldest daughters (14 yrs and 12yrs old) and decided to drop by the car wash.

My oldest daughter asked excitedly, "Ooh, can I get a lollipop?"

"Don't you think you're a little old to be getting lollipops from the car wash?" I joked with a smile.

She asked her sister if SHE wanted a lollipop.

"Nope," responded my 12 year old daughter.

After thinking for a few seconds, my oldest daughter changed her mind.

"I don't want one after all," she said.

This experience got me to thinking ... where in my life am I changing what I want because of what other people around me are doing?

Am I showing up as my true and authentic self each and every day? I realize I'm not, but I'm committed to do better.

Discover more by listening to today's ArchitectCEO update, and let me know what you think.

Enoch

ArchitectCEO Daily Update: today's parable is - Milk on the Back Wall. As my wife and I were driving home today from the gym at 6 am I realized that we're out of bananas at home for my daily smoothie.

Oh no! Red light emergency! ;)

So we dropped by our local grocery store to pick up bananas - and some milk.

There I was - armed with my mission: get milk and bananas. Simple enough right?

The bananas were easy to find. I asked an associate where I could find the milk.

He pointed to the far back corner of the store.

I confirmed, "The far back corner?"

"Yep," he responded.

I went there and found myself in the meat section. "Hmm ... I think I'll pick up some pork chops."

Finally, after running back to the front of the store and asking another associate where to find the milk, I found that creamy white goodness in the middle of the back wall of the store.

I got back to my car and told my waiting wife about my trouble finding the milk. She replied: "On the back wall right? That's where it usually is."

She reminded me that grocery stores usually have the milk at the back so they have a better chance of you buying something else on your way to get the milk.

Well it worked.

The grocery store strategically designed my experience as a customer.

What I'd have you consider today is this: where in your architecture are you lacking a carefully designed experience for your clients?

Do you have a systematic process for reaching out to and engaging new clients? Do you know what you'll say on the first interaction?

What will you do or say on the third or fourth interaction?

Is this information captured somewhere so that other people can be trained on this process ... so you're not continually reinventing the wheel?

If you realize you need a more carefully scripted process and don't have the time or know where to start, send me a private message. Perhaps I can help you.

ArchitectCEO Daily Update: parable of the Giant Sequoia. Recently I visit Sequoia National Park, which is a 45 minute drive from my home. This national sanctuary in the Sierra Nevada mountains is home to the largest living things on the planet - the magnificent Sequoiadendron Giganteum trees, otherwise known as Giant Redwoods. The oldest of these trees are over 2000 years old. Wow.

As I was walking through a grove of these trees with my family, I noticed one Sequoia tree that was leaning to one side. Because the tree is off kilter, it's at risk of falling due to wind or unstable soil. Who knows why this tree has grown this way, it began it's life hundreds of years ago. But sometime in the past, something happened that locked it into it's current trajectory.

This is an example of the importance of 'initial conditions.' Initial conditions are the variables that act on something when it is started. In today's video you'll discover why the lesson on initial conditions is critical to running your architecture firm if you want big results. If you want small results, don't worry about it. :)

If you're ready to get big results, get your free invite to my next firm online training on 4 Pillars to Building the Dream Practice. Register here: http://architectresources.org/initial-conditions

Today's ArchitectCEO Update: Stretch Yourself Old Man! Understanding the difference between symptom and cause is key to adopting the CEO mindset. Recently while working out I pulled my lower back. This injury stopped me from working out for over a week because I had to take time off to recover. I realized that this recurring injury is a symptom of another problem with my body.

Watch or listen to today's ArchitectCEO update to discover the important lesson I was reminded of by one of my favorite business thinkers.

If you're ready to get your firm to the next level, get more profit and work on more fulfilling projects, you must attend my next FREE Dream Practice Executive Briefing. Register to save your spot here: http://architectresources.org/hks8a

The topic of today's ArchitectCEO Daily Update is: my firm is in chaos.

This morning when I came home from the gym I was greeted by an amazing sight.

More on that later, first let me tell you about a call I had with an architecture firm owner who lamented, "my firm is in chaos!"

Remember that clip from Jurassic Park where Ian Malcolm explains Chaos Theory?

He tells Dr. Ellie Sattler (played by Laura Dern), "it deals with predicatability in a complex system. The shorthand is the Butterfly effect - a butterfly flaps its wings in Peking and in Central Park you get rain instead of sunshine."

There are a lot of butterflys flapping in an architecture firm.

You have: client meetings, designing with a thousand variables, creating and coordinating construction drawings, verifying or denying change orders, managing finances, and on and on.

Now back to what I saw this morning - my daughter making breakfast for the family with the table already set as she does every day.

I have six kids - there's serious potential for chaos. So how do we get my twelve year old daughter make breakfast?

It's because we have systems that manage the chaos - the only way my wife and I maintain sanity.

If you don't have systems working FOR you, you have systems running AGAINST you (remember the butterfly effect).

To discover how to go from a 'firm in chaos' to a 'smooth-running firm' register to attend my next FREE Architect Executive Briefing on the 4 pillars to building your DREAM Architecture Practice: http://architectresources.org/chaos