Customer Reviews

Staying Small Successfully: A Guide for Architects, Engineers, and Design Professionals

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I stumbled across this book while at a client's office. They had never read it, and what a shame! There are few books written for those that market engineering and design firms. The book tends to talk more about architects than I had expected, but still applies well to designers and engineers. The basic principles are sound and helpful. As an owner of a marketing consulting company, I use the book periodically to get insights on growth, planning, compensation and other issues dealing with the challenges this niche business presents. I highly recommend it.

This is one of those rare books that offers more than what the cover reveals. Being a fan of Wiley as a business publisher I was first attracted while searching for books on business strategy. This is a bit of a sleeper to me. My business has nothing to do with the target market yet I can safely rate this as a five star based on the excellent content that works in most business environments.

I like the way the author begins his introduction by taking the reader on a separate pathway that helps shape their personal destiny. His view on breaking from tradition and how being different means being visible aims right at one of the great weaknesses of many professional businesses. He slaps the reader with the realization that they must stand apart from the crowd to be seen in today's frantic world.

Then he leads you into the planning and strategy chapter where he imparts the need for a defined vision in writing as part of your plan. From there he focuses on servicing the client, hiring right, paying right and not trying to grow too fast. Hence the title --- `Staying Small Successfully.'

This is excellent sage advice for just about any business I can think of and goes far beyond its intended market. I'm in the online content delivery business and I consider the insight and wisdom within perfect for my business.

With a few minor changes this could be reissued as 'Growing Your Small Business Successfully.'

Clearly, this book is well worth the price for anyone involved in the management or administration of architectural and design firms. The content is comprehensive, relevant and well-written. Numerous examples and lists as well as an extensive appendix make it very easy to apply concepts. The technical aspects of the book are particularly useful and lucid, especially concerning legal and financial topics. Other sections on planning, marketing and managing growth also offer much information and many insights. Overall, the book certainly stays on track about business by focusing on practice management versus project management. Philosophizing about architecture and design and its place in society is kept to a minimum--a welcome relief from many books on this subject.

The sections on human resource topics such as personnel and compensation tend to be slightly oversimplified in the advice offered. The basic information is perfectly adequate. However, a few of the recommendations may not be as universally appropriate as they appear. The information technology section is helpful, but understandably dated since its publication in 2001, at least so far as Internet-based tools are concerned.

Aside from a couple of rather expensive and ponderous AIA publications, few good resources are available on how to manage the business of architecture and design. The book is the best value and most concise option available. Every firm should have a copy in its library.

I've found this book a valuable resource in developing a growth and strategic plan for my architectural firm. It is a short book and doesn't waste time in getting right to the point. However, I would like it to elaborate on a few items since my firm is young and I'm inexperienced in business. For those firm principals of small firms that have been in business for many years and are experiencing any trouble with the A/E business, this is a must read. My only complaint is that the section on Information Technology is not current enough. However, any hard copy of a book of this type would have trouble keeping up with the changing technology environment. Take time over a weekend or holiday to read this book!

I've been reading several books on practice management lately. This is the best of the bunch. Point your firm in the right direction and steer towards profitability. Buy this book!

As they said in the Wendy's commercial "Where's the beef?". Don't waste your money or time on this one.