Practice of Architecture: Designing Business Side of Architecture(w/ Evelyn Lee)
Monograph・2 minutes read
Architect Evelyn Lee emphasizes the importance of applying creative design approaches to business operations, extending design thinking beyond projects to enhance overall business success. Through a fictional scenario at Next Studio, Lee and Sarah showcase the impact of remote work and efficient operations on successful client interactions and project management, illustrating how innovative practice operations can enhance client relationships, employee experience, and overall business success.
Insights
- Architects should extend design thinking beyond projects to enhance overall business success, as emphasized by Evelyn Lee, focusing on advocating for employee and client experience in practice operations.
- Implementing accessible software systems for firm-wide use can lead to cost savings, positive outcomes, and enhanced productivity, showcasing the importance of investing in technology and processes for long-term benefits beyond monetary value, as demonstrated by the success of Next Studio in leveraging AI and innovative practice operations.
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Recent questions
How can architects apply design thinking to business operations?
Architects can extend design thinking beyond projects to enhance overall business success by focusing on employee and client experiences, streamlining communication and resource management using AI assistance, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within the firm. By incorporating creative design approaches into their business operations, architects can improve client relationships, employee satisfaction, and project management efficiency, ultimately leading to a more successful and sustainable practice.
What is the significance of "good design is good for business"?
The phrase "good design is good for business" emphasizes the importance of design in all aspects of a business, highlighting how well-thought-out and innovative design solutions can positively impact a company's operations, client interactions, and overall success. By prioritizing good design principles in their business strategies, firms can differentiate themselves in the market, attract and retain clients, and create a competitive advantage that drives growth and profitability.
How can remote work impact practice operations in a design firm?
Remote work can impact practice operations in a design firm by requiring efficient communication and collaboration tools, leveraging AI assistance for managing meetings and client interactions, and adapting to new ways of working to maintain productivity and project progress. Embracing remote work can lead to successful client interactions, streamlined project management, and enhanced employee experience, ultimately contributing to the firm's overall success and resilience in a changing work environment.
What role does AI play in enhancing practice operations in a design firm?
AI plays a crucial role in enhancing practice operations in a design firm by streamlining communication, managing meetings and client interactions efficiently, and optimizing resource allocation and project progress tracking. By leveraging AI assistance, firms can improve operational efficiency, enhance client relationships, and empower employees to focus on creative design work, ultimately driving business growth and innovation in the architecture industry.
How can innovative practice operations benefit client relationships and employee experience?
Innovative practice operations can benefit client relationships and employee experience by fostering a culture of collaboration, communication, and creativity within the firm, leading to successful client interactions, streamlined project management, and enhanced career development opportunities for employees. By investing in technology, design thinking, and efficient operations, firms can create a positive work environment that attracts top talent, retains clients, and drives long-term business success in the architecture industry.
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Summary
00:00
Innovative Design Approaches Transform Architectural Business
- Evelyn Lee, founder of Practice of Architecture and host of Practice Disrupted podcast, discusses how architects can apply creative design approaches to their business operations.
- Lee left traditional practice in 2005 to focus on advocating for employee experience at Slack and Salesforce, designing operations policies.
- She emphasizes the need for architects to extend design thinking beyond projects to enhance overall business success.
- The phrase "good design is good for business" was coined by Thomas Watson Jr., former IBM CEO, highlighting the importance of design in all aspects of a business.
- Lee presents a fictional scenario at Next Studio, a small design firm, showcasing the impact of remote work on practice operations.
- Lea, focused on client experience, uses AI assistance to manage meetings and client interactions efficiently.
- Sarah, in charge of employee experience and project management, leverages AI to streamline communication and resource management.
- The firm's emphasis on remote work and efficient operations leads to successful client interactions and project management.
- Lee and Sarah collaborate to offer intern Tony a full-time position based on his contributions to the firm's marketing efforts.
- The story illustrates how innovative practice operations can enhance client relationships, employee experience, and overall business success.
15:25
"Career Conversations and Case Studies Drive Growth"
- Impromptu career conversations and check-ins are common at the firm, with Sarah discussing new clients and future career investments in architecture.
- Sarah uses the company lattice dashboard to monitor personal KPRs and goals set by individuals in the firm for better resource support.
- Intern Tony contributes significantly to expanding the firm's marketing capabilities through deep dive case studies.
- Tony's idea for case studies was inspired by informational interviews with former interns, revealing the firm's unique projects and client engagement methods.
- Tony splits his time between case study development and billable project work, focusing on project progress and technical details.
- Tony expresses interest in a new branding project and seeks Sarah's guidance on project allocation and progress.
- Sarah provides video assistance and promises resource allocation review for Tony's technical queries and project preferences.
- Tony begins working on a new case study, preparing interview questions and stakeholder outreach for feedback.
- Tony introduces a new game for client discussions in projects, emphasizing value attributes and decision-making.
- Sarah's impromptu career conversation with Tony leads to research resource investments benefiting him, the firm, and future interns.
29:54
Free CRM and Notion template boost productivity.
- Building a CRM is easily achievable for free, with the option to develop a template in Notion for tracking and following up with people, emphasizing the importance of integrating accessible systems for firm-wide use to enhance productivity and collaboration.
- Implementing software systems can lead to cost savings and positive outcomes, such as facilitating recruitment by creating a conducive work culture that encourages employee referrals, showcasing how investing in technology and processes can yield significant benefits beyond monetary value.
