Beyond The Podcast: Supporting Small Architecture Practices | 041

Despite what you might think.

I don't just produce this podcast.

I also work directly with small practice founders and sole practitioners

to help them achieve their goals.

And overcome challenges in their own business.

So I thought I'd take you behind the scenes.

And share a few stories with you from my work supporting small practices.

In this episode of architecture business club, the weekly podcast for solo

and small firm architecture practice owners, just like you who want to build

a profitable future proof architecture business that fits around their life.

I'm John Clayton, your host, if you're a small practice leader or

sole practitioner in architecture.

Struggling to find clarity or reach your goals.

Consider working with me of a personalized one-to-one support through

coaching consulting and mentoring.

This tailored approach helps you navigate your unique path to success.

Whether it's growing your practice, working fewer hours or building

your team, I've got you covered.

Just click the link in the show notes to book a call with me to

discuss your options or email John.

That's J O n@architecturebusinessclub.com for more information.

Don't let me tell you more about how I support small practices.

Hey everyone.

Thanks for joining me today.

I want you to tell you a little bit about how I'm supporting small

practices beyond the podcast and.

I thought the best way to explain that was to share a few

real client stories with you.

Before I do that though.

I wanted to explain broadly what I do and who I work with.

So, what do I actually offer besides the podcast?

Well, I do coaching consulting and mentoring on a monthly or one-off basis.

I can help provide audits, assessments, and reports looking at your business.

I can provide a, a fractional role within your business.

So whether that's assisting you with the operations in your practice or with

the marketing side of things, Can also provide support with actually doing

the architectural drafting work through trusted outsourcing partners that I

have partnership arrangements with.

Uh, so that's card and BIM supports.

They also offer the opportunity for brands to work with me as well.

So brand partnerships.

And podcast sponsorship is something that I'm happy to have a conversation around.

And I also still do a very small number of architectural projects, which

typically are domestic client projects.

So who, who is it that I actually work with?

It's primarily the founders of small practices, micro sized practices,

partnerships and sole practitioners.

So, if you are a practice of one, or lead up to a team of around 10

people, you can work with me and I can support you on a one-to-one basis.

If you wrote a bigger practice, I may still be able to help you depending

on the type of support that you need.

And it doesn't matter whereabouts you're based in the world,

as long as you speak English.

I'm afraid.

That's the only language that I'm fluent in a little bit of Spanish,

but it's probably quite rusty now.

I'm afraid.

Um, so it doesn't matter where you're based, as long as you speak English and

you're willing and able to meet with me online during UK business hours.

And I found that there's an overlap between most times zones and I've managed

to make online meeting times work with.

Friends over in the us and folks as far afield as Australia.

I don't particularly care about your professional title.

So whether you are an architects and architectural technologists,

architectural designer, interior designer.

As long as you are in the architecture industry and you're running a business,

then feel free to get in touch.

So what's the main thing that I actually help practice founders do.

Well, my goal is to help you build your dream practice.

So one that gives you more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment.

And that could be by helping you a little or a lot, depending on

your requirements on your budget.

Some of the specific areas that I can help, small practice leaders

and sole practitioners are around.

Strategy systems and processes and people.

So strategy would be things like looking at strategic planning,

helping you have your business plan.

Be looking at marketing strategy, your marketing plan, marketing tactics.

To meet your business goals.

Also helping you look at financial planning and knowing your numbers.

Setting up, um, and optimizing existing systems you have in your business.

And also looking at how to build the right team, whether that's through traditional

recruitment or outsourcing options.

Or the areas that I can support you in our.

Developing you as a thought leader.

Helping build your personal brand.

Understanding out being more visible.

Also helping you to productize your services.

And much, much more.

There's so many different ways that I can help you.

So you might be wondering, do I actually have the knowledge and

experience to help your practice?

Well, I've had over 10 years hands-on experience working in small

to medium sized practices first as an architectural technician.

And then as a charted architectural technologist.

I have another 10 plus years experience as a sole practitioner

running my own practice.

And whilst I have no formal business or marketing qualifications, I've

honed my skills through seven years and counting of self guided learning.

In-person and online training courses.

Conference events, workshops, our mastermind.

And that's after spending the best part of a decade, learning everything the

hard way through my own trial and error.

I've since had the privilege of hosting.

Dawson's have one-to-one calls with world leading business and

marketing experts through my podcast interviews here on the show.

And I'm now here to share this.

Acquired knowledge and expertise with small firm founders

and sole practitioners.

So that you can build your dream architecture practice without

having to make the expensive and time-consuming mistakes that I

have made with my own practice.

So I feel like now's a good time to share some stories.

So what specific problems have.

Clients had and how have I helped them?

So, These are just a few stories from people, but I've guided and

supported during the past few months.

Remember.

Don't forget to download the architecture business, blueprint the

step by step formula to freedom for architects, architecture, technologists,

and architecture designers.

You can grab the blueprint without any charge@architecturebusinessclub.com

forward slash blueprint.

And if you enjoy this episode, then please leave a five star review or

rating wherever you listen to podcasts.

Now, back to the show.

Joe had recently started up his new architecture practice.

That specializes in retrofit and low energy design, but he was

struggling to manage his time and what had helped to write his business

plan and set financial goals.

So.

Firstly, I introduced him to some productivity and time management tactics.

To trial out so that he could free up his time and attention

to work on his business.

We then reviewed his financial forecast and I gave you feedback

on those so that he could set some exciting yet realistic targets.

And we also worked on his business plan so that now he has an easy to follow plan.

That's fully aligned with his professional and personal goals.

Rachel wanted to grow her business and start specializing and retrofit

unsustainable design projects to.

But she wasn't sure how to go about it.

So during a session with me, she learned how to integrate retrofit services

into a current architecture business and how to use content marketing to

educate and attract those clients.

She also learned about productizing services and the use of price

bracketing to increase the perceived value of a main service package so

that she could get easier sales.

And she also got tailored advice on building her personal brand.

Ash.

Was heavily reliant on word of mouth for new customers and a tried digital

marketing without much success.

So during a session with me identified new tactics that he could use to

improve his current marketing strategy, including building and managing more

relationships in his CRM system.

I'm making some tweaks to both his website.

Copy.

And his social media posts to show a bit more personality.

We also explored packaging services to make them easier to

promote to his ideal clients.

Gary Hart pivoted from a trade background into architectural services and wanted

to move more into project management in the future whilst maintaining.

And improving his architectural services for domestic and

residential design projects.

So during our sessions together, he's developed a new business plan, this

fully aligned with his long-term goals.

And he's also learned how to build and manage a remote team to help

deliver his architectural services.

Through my outsourcing partners freeing up his time for project

management and to work on his business.

Mo wanted to streamline his small practice, particularly to save time

on ad bed and managing his team.

So jawing our session together, I was able to recommend time-saving software tools to

reduce his admin load and help him manage his team communications more efficiently.

I also shared a time-saving workflow.

To produce is as existing building plans, more efficiently.

Kathy had aspirations to start her own architectural visualization company.

And a main challenge was finding the time to plan and finance the business launch.

So during a session with me, we identified that by leveraging a timeframe

systems, processes, and outsourcing, she could actually launch and grow

her dream business without having to leave the security of her current job.

So she could minimize her risk.

And finally Sam wanted feedback on his new software platform

for architecture practices.

During our session together, I was able to test the platform's

functionality and provide fast feedback on its usability and price point.

He also learned about how building brand partnerships with manufacturers could

differentiate his new offering from the longer established competitors.

He also got strategy that he could use to launch his product to the market.

Sounds awesome.

Right?

Some amazing wins there from working with those practice leaders.

So sign me up, sign me up for a long-term retainer.

Let's work together.

Well, if you're thinking that I just want to say just like slow down a moment.

I mean, like, would you ask somebody to marry you on the first day?

I mean, probably not.

You start by getting to know one another, maybe meeting for a coffee

first and going on some more dates.

And it's really the same process working with me or any of the coach or consultant.

We want to get to know each of the first.

And that's how we can ensure that we're a good fit to work together.

So before deciding to work together, we would normally have one or two

initial meetings usually held on zoom.

And ask questions about you and your business.

And we'll mainly be listening to what you've got to say.

If you like me and we both agree that I'm a good fit to help you, then I can put

together a proposal for you to consider.

And if I don't think we're going to be a good fit.

I'll be honest and tell you that.

And if that's the case, I'll try and recommend an alternative solution for you.

So you still have a way to move past whatever it is that you're stuck with.

But how do you know the timing's right to work with somebody like me?

Well, you know what?

The may never be a perfect time to start working on your business with

a coach or consultant like me, but.

Sometimes, maybe better than others.

And I want you to get results from working with me.

So if I feel the timing isn't right to work with me right now,

then I will let you know, and we can always reconnect later.

You might be wondering how much I charge for this type of support.

The short answer is not as much as you may think.

The long answer is that.

Really, we would need to delve into your business and your needs

in a little bit more detail.

In order for me to.

Provide.

Uh, proposal plus the right fit to meet your needs.

So, how do you get started?

So if you've listened this far, congratulations, well done.

But seriously, if you run a practice on a curious about working with me in any way,

let's chat, let's have a conversation.

You never know, it might even lead to you being a guest on this very show.

I've put a link in the show notes to book a quick, no obligation call with me.

I don't bite if you're unsure, if this is for you, but you feel curious.

Just book the call anyway, because that is what the call is for.

I look forward to chatting with you very soon.

Next time I'm joined by Jackie Goddard to talk about the

benefits of public speaking.

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of architecture business club.

If you liked this episode, think other people might enjoy it.

Or just want to show your support for the show.

Then please leave a glowing five-star review or rating wherever you listen

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If you want to connect with me, you can do that on most social media

platforms, just search for at Mr.

John Clayton.

The best place to connect with me online, though is on LinkedIn.

You can find a link to my profile in the show notes.

Remember.

Running your architecture business.

Doesn't have to be hard and you don't need to do it alone.

This is architecture business club.