I would like to get your thoughts on what is more important, pursuing business knowledge or architecture knowledge (or a degree), or maybe put another way, is a architect at a huge disadvantage to reach success without any business knowledge?
A little bit about my situation, I graduated college from art school in Illustration in California, and noticed how ill prepared most students (including myself) were in marketing themselves and presenting their work as high value. A roommate of mine, that was business savvy from his father and built a successful motion graphics company, would brag "I used to idolize certain big name artists, now I hire them".
Today, I have my own company and work with a few architects that are out on their own and do awesome high level work, yet they struggle with the business aspect of architecture and often times they do not charge enough or adequately protect themselves with a contract, nor do they have a clue as to how to market their small business or create growth.
I have also heard stories about businessmen that did not know the first thing about architecture or construction, yet were able to build a profitable business off the talents of architects and contractors that they hired due to their business knowledge and skills.
After being mentored by an architect shortly after graduating college and completing numerous residential projects, I attended a Architecture Masters program to obtain my license, but quit after three months. With the examples I have shown above, I have concluded that business management is paramount and more important then working for a Arch license.
I threw a lot of things out there and I am interested in thoughts you may have regarding everything and anything that comes to mind.
Kevin Wagner
Aug 16, 16 5:36 pm
Today, architecture is a business.
vldesign
Aug 16, 16 5:50 pm
Of course "architecture is a business", but the point is, most architects I have encountered aren't very good at it.
awaiting_deletion
Aug 16, 16 6:49 pm
everything has become a business. many people especially architects either do not care or just do not have time to worry about business. sure you need money if you are middle class and you have to balance your time between doing achitecture and making money with architecture. but many architects would rather work or do architecture than worry about making money. as an analogy: you play an instrument, say the trumpet, and you just love playing the trumpet so much that you would rather play your trumpet by joining a band or playing in the street instead of getting a "real job". lets also say its beyond you why people are so obsessed with money and ypu have not the slightest idea why people think retirement is something you need to do. ultimately its a profession as well and not a business. there are decisions a businessman can make an architect would not find ethical.
geezertect
Aug 16, 16 6:53 pm
There is a mindset among most architects--particularly fresh graduates and their professors--that art and architecture are noble callings, while business is crass and grubby. The schools do little or nothing to teach the business side of the profession. Most of the professors would be clueless anyway, since at many schools the culture discourages outside work. Architects are their own worst enemy.
gruen
Aug 16, 16 8:38 pm
So-do tell-how do I be a better businessman?
DeTwan
Aug 16, 16 9:56 pm
I think what youre trying to say is that most ppl that work in the industy dont get paid squat for the work they do, and that wouldnt be a lie. But being an architect is so magnanomous.... gotta be commited to architecture and have a passion for writing RFIs all day... weaklings these days.
bundy
Aug 17, 16 9:30 am
The first thing you should look at is your product, customer and market. Whats your value proposition? In a lot of places in the country we have too many buildings already, too much retail, too much comercial, too many unaffordable McMansions. Whats the value an Architect brings to those markets? Do you stay in one of those markets or go to an expanding market? Unlike making widgets from a fixed factory somewhere Architects often have to plant roots in their market which often involves moving your life - not an easy decision.
s=r*(theta)
Aug 17, 16 9:53 am
correct me if im wrong, but isnt the "business knowledge" of any business basically transferable to any "business"? which is basically minimizing cost and maximizing profits? in which the "business knowledge" is the back seat to the product or service?
curtkram
Aug 17, 16 11:35 am
it's not just money. it's client relations, employee relations, managing resources and assets. if your business is only about money, it's not going to go well.
the resources and assets in one business can be very different than the next. if you don't understand those resources, you probably aren't going to manage the business well.
s=r*(theta)
Aug 17, 16 1:00 pm
@curtkram is not "client relations, employee relations, managing resources and assets" all geared toward max profit min. expense's? and did I not say "the "business knowledge" of any business basically transferable to any "business"? like the principals of engineering are transferable to all living entities? or am i missing it
TIQM
Aug 17, 16 10:28 pm
Secret to basketball is putting more balls in the basket than your opponent. Simple as that. Score more points than the other team. Applicable to every team sport.
accesskb
Aug 17, 16 11:16 pm
Focus on business first and ways to make money. Then you can work on architecture and without being burdened by how to survive or feed yourself during the next layoff.
Wilma Buttfit
Aug 17, 16 11:18 pm
I used to play basketball. There was something called a forced error. I've never tried it in business though. Maybe I outta.
curtkram
Aug 18, 16 7:20 am
What I meant is that that knowledge of successfully running a business in one field may not be transferrable to another field, because the specific knowledge required to manage the resources in one field may be significantly different than managing a different set of resources.
Wilma Buttfit
Aug 18, 16 9:57 am
Business stuff is easy to learn and there are several free resources. Here is a link to the business courses catalog on Coursera. You can pay for a certificate, or take for free without the certificates.
harsh25
Nov 25, 16 12:28 am
Every Architect at the end of day need a business with profits. You should create a business rapport among your employees & strive hard to manage your entire business.
Creating a Digital Space for your Architecture Business is as important as you creating a Physical Architect Firm! Having a Website for your Architecture business will make a lot of sense.
Once you Create a Website for your Architect firm, you can manage your business from anywhere in the world.
Showcase your previous & live projects to your clients.
Flaunt your designs to larger audience.
Drive sales with leads & promote your architect brand globally.
As you know that advertising online is cheaper than traditional media, why not utilize this digital platform?
I would like to get your thoughts on what is more important, pursuing business knowledge or architecture knowledge (or a degree), or maybe put another way, is a architect at a huge disadvantage to reach success without any business knowledge?
A little bit about my situation, I graduated college from art school in Illustration in California, and noticed how ill prepared most students (including myself) were in marketing themselves and presenting their work as high value. A roommate of mine, that was business savvy from his father and built a successful motion graphics company, would brag "I used to idolize certain big name artists, now I hire them".
Today, I have my own company and work with a few architects that are out on their own and do awesome high level work, yet they struggle with the business aspect of architecture and often times they do not charge enough or adequately protect themselves with a contract, nor do they have a clue as to how to market their small business or create growth.
I have also heard stories about businessmen that did not know the first thing about architecture or construction, yet were able to build a profitable business off the talents of architects and contractors that they hired due to their business knowledge and skills.
After being mentored by an architect shortly after graduating college and completing numerous residential projects, I attended a Architecture Masters program to obtain my license, but quit after three months. With the examples I have shown above, I have concluded that business management is paramount and more important then working for a Arch license.
I threw a lot of things out there and I am interested in thoughts you may have regarding everything and anything that comes to mind.
Today, architecture is a business.
Of course "architecture is a business", but the point is, most architects I have encountered aren't very good at it.
everything has become a business. many people especially architects either do not care or just do not have time to worry about business. sure you need money if you are middle class and you have to balance your time between doing achitecture and making money with architecture. but many architects would rather work or do architecture than worry about making money. as an analogy: you play an instrument, say the trumpet, and you just love playing the trumpet so much that you would rather play your trumpet by joining a band or playing in the street instead of getting a "real job". lets also say its beyond you why people are so obsessed with money and ypu have not the slightest idea why people think retirement is something you need to do. ultimately its a profession as well and not a business. there are decisions a businessman can make an architect would not find ethical.
There is a mindset among most architects--particularly fresh graduates and their professors--that art and architecture are noble callings, while business is crass and grubby. The schools do little or nothing to teach the business side of the profession. Most of the professors would be clueless anyway, since at many schools the culture discourages outside work. Architects are their own worst enemy.
So-do tell-how do I be a better businessman?
I think what youre trying to say is that most ppl that work in the industy dont get paid squat for the work they do, and that wouldnt be a lie. But being an architect is so magnanomous.... gotta be commited to architecture and have a passion for writing RFIs all day... weaklings these days.
The first thing you should look at is your product, customer and market. Whats your value proposition? In a lot of places in the country we have too many buildings already, too much retail, too much comercial, too many unaffordable McMansions. Whats the value an Architect brings to those markets? Do you stay in one of those markets or go to an expanding market? Unlike making widgets from a fixed factory somewhere Architects often have to plant roots in their market which often involves moving your life - not an easy decision.
correct me if im wrong, but isnt the "business knowledge" of any business basically transferable to any "business"? which is basically minimizing cost and maximizing profits? in which the "business knowledge" is the back seat to the product or service?
it's not just money. it's client relations, employee relations, managing resources and assets. if your business is only about money, it's not going to go well.
the resources and assets in one business can be very different than the next. if you don't understand those resources, you probably aren't going to manage the business well.
@curtkram is not "client relations, employee relations, managing resources and assets" all geared toward max profit min. expense's? and did I not say "the "business knowledge" of any business basically transferable to any "business"? like the principals of engineering are transferable to all living entities? or am i missing it
Secret to basketball is putting more balls in the basket than your opponent. Simple as that. Score more points than the other team. Applicable to every team sport.
Focus on business first and ways to make money. Then you can work on architecture and without being burdened by how to survive or feed yourself during the next layoff.
I used to play basketball. There was something called a forced error. I've never tried it in business though. Maybe I outta.
What I meant is that that knowledge of successfully running a business in one field may not be transferrable to another field, because the specific knowledge required to manage the resources in one field may be significantly different than managing a different set of resources.
Business stuff is easy to learn and there are several free resources. Here is a link to the business courses catalog on Coursera. You can pay for a certificate, or take for free without the certificates.
Every Architect at the end of day need a business with profits. You should create a business rapport among your employees & strive hard to manage your entire business.
Creating a Digital Space for your Architecture Business is as important as you creating a Physical Architect Firm! Having a Website for your Architecture business will make a lot of sense.
As you know that advertising online is cheaper than traditional media, why not utilize this digital platform?
Create Websites for Architects today & start doubling your business right-away.