M4D Quarterly e-Mag: 3rd Quarter 2020

MANAGEMENT FOR DESIGN THIRD QUARTER E-MAG 2020

New Resources for AED Businesses

Management for Design is proud to launch our new resources: 1.

Business Systems Selector

2.

Strategy Execution Portal

3.

Management Reporting for Architects, Engineers and Designers

Our Business Systems Selector is a unique tool that enables architects, engineers, designers, planners, and consultants to identify the 3 most suitable business systems for their business, following the input of information about their business practice, processes, and priorities. We clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of the systems and the key attributes and fit for your business.

Our Strategy Portal is designed specifically for architects, engineers, designers, planners, and consultants to assist them with developing and executing their business. By using the Strategy Portal, Management for Design will also partner with your firm to assist you to manage and track your progress and provide you with the support you need around your strategy development.

Our Management Reporting System is designed to provide the design industry with a systematic and interactive tool that creates visually captivating management reports. This system allows you to collate all management reports in one place, with the ability to integrate it with other systems.

To find out more about these resources and request early access, contact Callum Bruce at cbruce@m4d.com.au.

Management for Design and ACA Partnership

MANAGEMENT FOR DESIGN Management for Design is excited to announce a new partnership with the ACA to provide financial and business management support services to its members.

ACA members will now have access to: ■■

n advisory service relating to Business Planning, Business Management, A Performance and Business Systems

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n-line access to the “Business Foundations Starter Kit” that provides O essential guidance and recommendations for establishing and sustaining your business

Benefits for members will also include: ■■

Access to networking events e.g. “Growing your firm: Secrets to Success”

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dvice on who to go to for external assistance” e.g. communications, A accounting, legal, insurance etc.

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Access to thought leadership white papers and articles

Management for Design strives to nurture long term relationships with our clients that are built on integrity, expertise, commitment, and teamwork. Whether you recently started a business or have operated for years, we will advise you on the right way forward!

We will be reaching out to all members to introduce ourselves and to elaborate on how we can help you to build and control your practice.

Visit the ACA website here.

The Business Foundations Collection

Most architects, engineers, and designers start their practices with little to no experience of running or building a business. Typically, the initial focus is on design, creating client relationships, and project delivery, with a central goal of winning new clients and work. Whilst these principles are essential in any design firm, there is a myriad of other elements that involve managing, controlling and building a business, that is required for any successful firm.

Our experience with architects, engineers and designers has provided us with the insight to derive some common elements and themes that are essential for the functioning of a successful practice in the design industry. So, what are these foundations?

To find out more about the 10 Business Foundations of Architecture, Engineering, and Design, read our Business Foundations Collection on Issuu, located here.

AIA ‘Town Hall’ Results

The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) recently held an online session for Victorian members to discuss the impacts the Corona Virus restrictions are having on the Architecture, Engineering and Design industry.

The session was presented by acting Victorian Chapter President Rob Stent and AIA CEO Julia Cambage.

The session involved live polling with those logged into the session, to examine how the current lockdown has affected them and their firm.

Members are currently most concerned about the pipeline of work, business continuity and financial issues, and their daily productivity as a result of construction restrictions.

There were a number of concerns raised and the survey results indicate the perilous state of the profession currently in Victoria. The key findings of the poll indicate: ■■

50% of firms have had a reduction in staffing

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50% of members are experiencing a reduction in the pipeline of work

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60% of members are incurring a decline of fees

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45% of members are experiencing planning process delays

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0% of members are currently experiencing financial stress to some 9 degree

To watch the recording of the session and read more about the results, click here.

Effective Brand and Communications for AED Businesses

Effective branding and communications strategy and execution is critical for architecture, engineering, design (AED) practices. Why? ■■

To differentiate their business from their competitors

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To communicate the value they offer clients

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T o ensure there is consistent messaging from within the business and to the external market

Professionals in our industry are highly creative and visual people. They can communicate well and have an eye for striking graphics. However, the brand and communications are often forgotten or not prioritised after the initial creation of a corporate identity. On top of this, there is still somewhat of a lag in our industry to create emotive and engaging brands that go further than a business logo and project photos.

First things first, your brand is much more than your logo or your colour scheme.

Your branding depicts the essence of your business, it conveys the story of who you are, how you got to where you are and the ultimate purpose of your business. Every business benefits from a compelling, motivating, and consistent brand story.

So how can AED businesses create and maintain long-lasting brands that contribute to business success?

Understand your audience Understanding your audience’s primary motivations, as well as identifying the type of clients you would prefer to work with is crucial to your brand, as this ultimately shapes the content you produce.

Find your brand tone of voice Your brand tone of voice reflects your business’s communication style and shines through in your communications collateral. This determines how your brand is perceived by the outside world.

Keep your website up to date Your website should aim to appeal, educate, and inform prospective clients. Your website should give insight into the core values of your business, the projects, its people, and its unique qualities.

Don’t neglect marketing your old projects Neglecting old projects as soon as new projects are ready to promote is a damaging marketing habit that leads to inconsistent and unsustainable marketing of your business. Instead, your firm should concentrate on improving the visibility of old projects to maintain a consistent flow of work.

Utilise your social channels Social media platforms allow you to engage with your clients and prospects, whilst also giving you the opportunity to attract new clients. Implementing a social media marketing strategy that involves uploading frequent, quality content, centred around your story, projects, and people, is crucial for effective marketing.

An effective and engaging brand strategy will put you closer with your audience, help you to communicate the value you deliver to clients, and in turn, win you more business. If you would like to find out more about creating a compelling brand strategy for your business, contact Management for Design’s Communication Director, David Clark at dclark@m4d.com.au

Introducing Our UK Team

We’re pleased to welcome two new members to the Management for Design team, Sim Thirunesan and Daina Pinard. Sim and Daina will be located in our UK office and will be providing financial and business management support to our clients.

Sim heads up our operation in the UK and is a skilled finance and business professional with over 15 year’s experience, helping design agencies to succeed.

Sim is a CIMA qualified accountant, and holds a MBA. Daina who has been working in the design industry for 7 years, provides day to day financial services for our clients and ensures payroll and financial aspects are managed and processed correctly.

If you would like to benefit from advice and support in developing your business, please contact Sim Thirunesan, Finance and Business Director, sthirunesan@managmentfordesign.com.

Reading List 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management Kevin Kruse New York Times bestselling author, Kevin Kruse, presents the remarkable findings of his study of ultra-productive people. Based on survey research and interviews with billionaires, Olympic athletes, straight-A students, and over 200 entrepreneurs.

Brief Answers to the Big Questions Stephen Hawking Wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating, passionately argued, and infused with his characteristic humour, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, the final book from one of the greatest minds in history, is a personal view on the challenges we face as a human race, and where we, as a planet, are heading next.

Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers Anthony Mersino Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers introduces readers to all facets of EI and shows how emotions can be leveraged to meet project goals. You’ve spent years gathering the technical intelligence you need for this challenging career--now separate yourself from the pack by increasing your emotional intelligence!

Future Shaper Niamh O’Keeffe Future Shaper is about giving back a sense of control. It’s about empowering leaders to take charge and shape the future.

Niamh O’Keeffe asks leaders to re-calibrate their leadership skills to include imagination and courage, to embrace innovation and drive growth and create a better future.

How Successful People Think John C. Maxwell America’s leadership expert John C. Maxwell will teach you how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking.

You’ll learn how to capture the big picture while focusing your thinking. You’ll find out how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and derive lessons from the past to better understand the future.