| A crisis of inaction
How to overcome management paralysis and get things done in an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm. A good place to work
Fictional CADD technician Denise Jones’ list of all the things that make her company a good place to work. A sunk cost is a sunk cost
How to know when to cut your losses and move on from a poor investment or business decision. Breaking with tradition
The only way to be really successful is to be different than the rest of the crowd. Bubba J. Johnson’s decision
Bubba Joe Johnson was saddled with a failing firm and uncooperative, dysfunctional owners who didn’t want to do what had to be done. But he made the tough decision and turned it all around. Clients are not always rational
A/E/P and environmental consulting firms assume clients will choose them for reasons that aren’t always correct. Dangers of the rumor mill
Doug Pocketprotectus must correct the bad information being spread by Sherry Blabbermouth before morale is damaged beyond repair! End the year on a high note
Take action and use these tips to end your year on a high note for the firm and your employees. Gauges
Learn to use gauges to pinpoint problems in an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm early instead of relying on idiot lights and reacting too late. Getting back to growth
It takes more than talk to grow an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm. Getting some new work fast
Six things you can do to get new work for your firm immediately. Good service stories
Your reputation is your most valuable business asset. Is your firm providing the best possible service to clients or are you letting service quality slip? How much is too much?
Use these rules to establish sensible principal salaries. Implementing a new accounting system
A simple guide to solving the complicated problem of how to build an effective accounting system for A/E/P and environmental consulting firms. Industry conferences
Perk or professionally valuable exercise? How to keep costs down and get the most out of professional conferences. It just doesn’t take that much
Little things can help A/E/P and environmental consulting firms stand out from the crowd in clients’ eyes. Joe
Sooner or later every firm will have to weather a financial storm, but don’t repeat the mistakes that lead to foul weather. Justifying your existence
Paul Schipperknocket was busy all the time but got little accomplished that was truly productive. Whose fault was that? Keeping perspective
Perspective is critical to preventing and solving problems in A/E/P and environmental consulting firms. Keeping the morale up
If morale is low in your firm, examine these areas to determine why and then fix the problems. Love thy firm
How to make your employees fall in love with the firm. Management by design
Designers aren’t always the best managers, but that deficiency can be overcome using these simple methods. Management’s job
Your job as a manager is to create the environment that will get the job done, not change human nature. Many years later
A/E/P and environmental consulting firms have changed a lot over the years in these key areas. Marketing tune-up
Five areas to look at if your firm needs a marketing tune-up. Morality & ethics
Taking the high road will always serve the best interests of A/E/P and environmental consulting firms in the long run. More on what makes for success
Successful A/E/P and environmental consulting firms share these six qualities. My poor friend Leroy
The sad story of an architecture firm president who should be happier than ever but instead is becoming bitter and unmotivated. No risk, no reward
A look at how A/E/P and environmental consulting firms can be more successful by taking good risks. Nobody likes the critic
What can you do about negative moaners, groaners and gripers in the firm? Try these techniques to pull the weeds out by the roots. One great CEO
The qualities that make this CEO stand out are easy to spot. How do you compare? Pickelfranz’s bonus pickle
After years of dealing with a complicated and costly bonus plan, Dennis Pickelfranz came up with a better idea for his architecture firm. Playing the game
There are parallels between a good game and good business. Presumptuous callers
Being responsive to callers is one thing. Putting up with people who assume you have time for nothing else but their call is another thing entirely. Principal roles
The roles of firm principals can become distorted over time. Follow these steps to make sure your firm doesn’t fall into that trap. Profit maximization…for how long?
Making money is a good thing, but negative consequences can be the result of seeking maximum profit for too long. Project mismanagement
Real-life examples of bad things done in the name of project management that A/E/P and environmental consulting firms should avoid. Promoting individual performance vs. the overall firm
A/E/P and environmental consulting firms need solid teamwork to succeed. They also need high performing individuals who make a difference. Where is the balance? Raise your expectations
Poor fees, slow-paying clients, and impossible schedules shouldn’t be the norm in most A/E/P and environmental consulting firms. Role definitions
Basic functional roles should be defined, but don’t let the issue of job descriptions become a problem. Shoot your way out
A/E/P and environmental consulting firms can do a number of things besides cost cutting to boost profits. Signs of a healthy company
Check your firm’s vital signs to determine whether or not the company is truly healthy or in danger of succumbing to hidden disease. Smart diversification
Be smart and build off what you already have if you decide to diversify your firm’s offerings. So, you want to become an associate?
Be careful that titles have meaning instead of being hollow monikers intended to make employees feel good. So, you want to position your firm?
An A/E/P or environmental consulting firm can easily become much more than just a capable service provider. So-called management experts
Before you make changes in your firm based on "expert" advice, make sure the advisor is really an expert. Some folks amaze me!
The things that management professionals in some A/E/P and environmental consulting firms do and say are astonishing and counterproductive. Survivor
Sustainability in highly competitive times is more than just a game. A/E/P and environmental consulting firms that want to survive should demonstrate these four traits. The owners are the problem
Most of the time, problems in A/E/P and environmental consulting firms are caused by the owners, and the owners are the ones who can solve them. The push for profits
Profit-building approaches and their pitfalls for firms that want to pump up the bottom line. The schizophrenic firm
Tuck Schlockmeir inherited a great firm but his own schizoid management decisions made a mess of it. The workplace of the future
The firm of the future will be dependent on much more than walls and computers. This advice will help you create a place where people really want to work. Those tricky labor costs
Cutting labor costs can be tricky business. This guide will show you pitfalls to avoid. Time for a little horse sense
The equestrian world offers many concepts parallel to managing an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm. Time for a salary increase?
Many factors impact whether or not someone deserves a raise. Follow Durwood Ryan as he lays out the case for Jeannie Turtlepup to get an increase in her salary. Training for success
Training employees should be about more than obtaining certifications. Use your top people
A guide to keeping top principals effective and contributing to the firm’s profitability. Walking the staffing tightrope
Follow these guidelines to make sure your firm has an effective staffing policy. We’re getting soft
How to stay on the straight and narrow course during good times to make it easier to survive the bad times that will surely come. What it takes to grow
Firms really committed to growth have to meet these criteria to make it happen. What it will take to be a principal
Some useful criteria to use in judging who should be promoted to principal in an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm. What women want
A/E/P and environmental consulting firms seeking a competitive edge should know these key items important to women in their workplaces. What’s the real value of the firm?
Valuation is both an art and a science but it’s not magic. These resources will help you determine the true value of your firm. When the money runs out
Don’t let tight times pit managers against each other. These tips can help keep the team on track during the lean season. Why some large firms miss out
Five reasons why big A/E/P and environmental consulting firms sometimes miss opportunities to pursue new service areas. Why we don’t have cultural alignment
Getting everyone in an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm focused on a centralized vision is often difficult, but these four ideas will help align everyone in a single firm culture. Why you should be growing your firm
Not interested in growing? These 14 points will change your mind. Wishy washy business plans
A good business plan should guide the company and answer these five questions to be effective for an A/E/P or environmental consulting firm. Younger people you can move up
Look for these nine traits in young employees and you’ll have people you can move up in the organization. |
