Business Strategy & Growth Episodes

Host Jon Clayton welcomes Kathy Ennis of Little Piggy Ltd to Architecture Business Club to discuss why many solopreneurs and micro business owners struggle and what drives success. Kathy explains that talented people often rely on passion and “window dressing” marketing without learning core business skills, especially planning and cashflow forecasting. She outlines her five “Ps”: people (start with psychographics and choose who you want to buy from you), product (for services, productise offers...

Jon Clayton hosts Architecture Business Club with guest Kevin Crawford, an architecture practice leader with 20+ years’ experience who implemented a succession plan at Crawford Architecture via a transition to employee ownership. They define succession planning as future-proofing the business, protecting legacy, and ensuring continuity if the owner retires, can’t work, or dies, noting many practices delay it until it becomes urgent. Kevin shares how waiting until his father was around 70 created...

Jon welcomes Daniel Patterson, an experienced business growth strategist, to discuss smart strategies for doubling profit without hiring more staff or increasing marketing expenses. They explore the pitfalls of trying to please everyone, the importance of discussing money early on, and effective pricing strategies. Daniel shares his insights on reducing overhead by optimising team roles and asks the critical question of knowing who your dream client is. Tune in to uncover practical tips and tran...

Jon addresses what to do when facing a shortage of clients or work. He shares his personal story of recent hardships* and explains the common mistakes to avoid when trying to attract new clients. He provides practical advice for fast sales, focusing on hot leads, and high-touch outreach. Jon also emphasises the importance of asking for help and using available resources to manage cash flow issues. The episode concludes with recommendations for related podcast episodes that delve deeper into lead...

Jon addresses the challenging question of whether it's time for you to quit your architecture business. He explores indicators that might suggest it's time for you to step away, such as changes in the market, personal circumstances, and diminishing passion. He explores the emotional aspects of closing your business and reframes the concept of failure as a learning opportunity. Offering three potential paths—staying the course, stopping, or starting something new—Jon provides actionable insights ...

Jon chats with business coach and entrepreneur Ray Brown about a simple yet powerful business framework for architecture practices. They discuss the 'Four Ps' - Practice, Projects, People, and Perception - that can dramatically improve business results. Key insights include being intentional about business perceptions, understanding and managing project hours, the importance of clear roles and strategic hiring, and the value of a foundational business education. They also introduce ArchiBiz's ne...

Jon discusses how architecture practices can escape the feast and famine cycle by using launches as part of their marketing strategy. He is joined by Sigrun, an award-winning business coach, best-selling author, and entrepreneur, who explains the power of launching to create a steady and predictable pipeline of work. Sigrun shares her journey from studying architecture to becoming a leading business mentor and outlines how architects can implement launches to grow their practices. The episode al...

Jon chats with Brian McCartney, CEO of ArchMark Branding and Marketing for Architects. Bryon, who has founded five successful creative service firms, shares strategies for transforming architectural practices into creative powerhouses. They discuss the importance of strategic planning, the misconception about sales in architecture, and the benefits of community involvement for solo architects. Bryon also shares his personal and professional experiences, including his passion for photography and ...

Jon discusses the importance of having an active and updated business plan for solo and small architecture firm owners. He debunks common myths about business plans, advocates for simplicity, and recommends utilising 'The One Page Business Plan' by Jim Horan. Jonn also provides detailed examples and actionable steps for creating a business plan. He emphasises the value of having a clear vision, mission, objectives, strategies, and action plans to build a profitable and future-proof architecture ...

In this episode, Jon chats with Ray Brown, a business coach, and entrepreneur who specialises in mentoring architectural practices through his organisation, ArchiBiz. The discussion highlights the significant gap in business education for architects and introduces foundational strategies to build profitable and sustainable businesses without compromising on design standards. Ray Brown shares insights from his journey from building and selling businesses in Scotland to coaching startups and top e...

In this episode, Jon shares 10 key lessons from his decade-long experience as a sole practitioner in architecture. He talks about the importance of learning from mistakes, understanding your financial state even if you're not motivated by money, delegating tasks, and building an emergency fund in your business. He also emphasises the need to make progress over perfection, continuing to find joy in your business, and connecting with others to avoid feeling alone in your journey. Jon encourages yo...

In this episode, host Jon discusses the significance of strategic planning for business success. Drawing comparisons between embarking on a business journey and going on a road trip, he stresses the importance of setting a clear destination (dubbed the 'big business goal') for the year ahead. Jon advocates for a quarterly approach, stating that breaking down the year into four manageable chunks allows for better planning, easier course corrections, and the capacity to see real results in a busin...

In this episode, Jon discusses the CEO mindset with Janet Murray, an online business strategist and copywriter. They delve into why many small business owners or practitioners behave more like freelancers rather than CEOs. Janet highlights how tracking data, developing business skills, and creating commercially viable services or products are key components of CEO thinking. She emphasises having a forward planning strategy, sales skills, and the confidence to assert the value of one's services....

In this episode of Architecture Business Club, Jon encourages listeners to reflect on their past year in business and consider their business plans for the upcoming year. Highlighting the importance of setting an objective and assessing which actions led to successful results and which actions were detrimental. Jon discusses his personal achievements and challenges, highlighting his own goals for the year ahead.Episode Highlights...00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:25 Reflecting on the P...

In this episode of the Architecture Business Club podcast, Jon discusses with Kris Baxter the role of business coaching in transforming architectural practices. Kris, a Chartered Architectural Technologist and founder of Studio 11 Architecture, shares his own experiences with business coaching. He recounts how coaching focused on his personal development, which reflected positively on his business. Looking within, Kris changed the direction of his firm to align it with his personal goals, aspira...