Six Benefits to Storytelling in a Presentation

From PSMJ:

"Six Benefits to Storytelling in a Presentation

Forget bullet points and slide shows. In the new world of business, the best leaders use storytelling as the ultimate communication tool. We are always putting our clients to sleep with bulleted lists, as we read them verbatim off the screen. The viewers don't remember a thing. By telling stories instead, you can achieve the following:

1. Break through barriers and put people at ease. Stories have a way of getting clients to open up and be more receptive to your ideas, and thus strengthen the relationship.
2. Put information into context. Research proves that people learn best through stories.
3. Persuade — gently. You can introduce ideas more subtly, while commanding attention.
4. Make an emotional connection. It helps your client feel comfortable and aids in the decision to work with you. It gives a client a sense that they know you better.
5. Enliven a presentation. Including a story can transform a dry presentation into an energized one.
6. Make sure your message is understood. Anyone can comprehend a story. It's better than trying to assimilate a series of dry facts. This in turn will give you a competitive edge.

For More Information: http://www.psmj.com/documents/e-casts/April_28_2006/Storytelling_Presentations.htm

Bike to Work Day

From Ron Bishop, AIA:

Yes, many of the Bay Area's citizens actually bike to work, school, errands or play. It is proven to conserve Energy, Environment, and DOLLARS!

Proper equipment, attire and training make biking fun, safe, and efficient for travel. One to two mile trips to the store; bike with rack can carry four bags. For more capacity you might need a Burley or other bike trailer.

Trips to work are often less than 5 miles and many work and live around the lake. If you live in the hills, that means downhill to work. There is always a bus to help you and your bike back up the hill.

Sometimes the restaurants are a little to far to walk but a short ride to the Dimond, Lakeshore, College, Fruitvale, Downtown or JLS are easily reached in 5 or 10 minutes. Have a nice meal and a leisure ride home with lights and bright attire.

Everyone must pay more attention to courteous travel. Bicyclist can be guilty of improper road behavior, but motorist cause a greater severity of injury for their mistakes.

During Bike To Work Week do NOT EXCEED the Maximum Speed Limit for that Week. Be courteous. Everyone, see how we do in the face of spiraling gasoline prices and the changing transportation modes.

Walking, biking, transit and even motorist must learn to work together better. Bike To Work Week can be a great event. We must all learn to Share the Roads together. May 15 to 19, 2006.

Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.

You are invited to be our guest at our Free Simpson Strong - Tie Anchor Systems Workshop -Commercial Construction - designed for Architects, Engineers, Specifiers, Building Officials, Contractors, Builders & Developers.

PG&E Auditorium
245 Market Street
San Francisco

Tuesday, April 25th 2006.

We hope you and your members accept our invitation to learn more about new products, our 2006 catalog, and industry changes directly from Simpson Strong-Tie technical staff and Engineers, as well as enjoy a complimentary breakfast and lunch. Free Professional Learning Units are available for those who qualify.

For registration: www.strongtie.com

For more information: Cristal Angerina 800-999-5099 X 1055

10th Anniversary of Afordable Housing Week

Symposium and Awards Lucheon

May 12-21, 2006
The State of East Bay: Our Community, Today and Tomorrow

May 12, 2006
10 am - 1:30 am
Oakland Museum
James Moore Theater
1000 Oak Street, Oakland

RSVP by May 1st to staff@EBHO.org or 510-663-3830

Model Maker Needed

From Studio Bergtraun:

“We are an architectural studio located in Emeryville and we need a foam-core working site massing model to show 2 separate single family residence masses for a project on which we are currently working.

We'll pay a flat fee ($500) for the model plus materials, and we need someone available as soon as possible. You'll be working in our studio, and the hours are completely flexible depending on your schedule. We'd like to have the model done by the May 15, 2006.

For more information: michelle@studiobergtraun.com
or call: 510-652-0612 ext 6#.”

SFM Adoption - California Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical Codes

State Fire Marshal MEETING NOTICE

Date/Time: Friday, April 28, 2006 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: State Fire Marshal’s Headquarters
1131 S Street, Sacramento

Purpose: Discussion and recommendations regarding the Express Terms to be submitted to the Building Standards Commission for the adoption of:

California Electrical Code (based on the 2005 National Electrical Code)
California Plumbing Code (based on the 2006 Uniform Plumbing Code)
California Mechanical Code (based on the 2006 Uniform Mechanical Code)

Comments: Written comments may be sent to:
Code Development Unit
PO Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
Attn: Kevin Reinertson

Documents: A copy of the Draft Express Terms may be obtained online at:
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/CodeAdoptionProcess.html

Background Data relating to the SFM Code Adoption Project may be found online at:
Information: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/CodeAdoptionProcess.html

For More Information: Kevin Reinertson
(916) 327-4998
kevin.reinertson@fire.ca.gov
PO Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

NOTE: Due to space limitations, please notify this office by email at kevin.reinertson@fire.ca.gov if you plan to attend this meeting.

PSMJ's E-cast

Seven steps for boosting staff morale and loyalty to your firm

How can you constantly boost staff morale while at the same time maintain a sense of loyalty to your firm? Find out with these simple but effective tactics.

Economics of intelligence

Discussion of intelligent buildings is great, but without bottom-line numbers, most clients (and without question, almost all commercial developers) just don't want to hear it.

An Introduction to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

AIAEB RUDF – Brown Bag Lunch Presentation
April 18th from 12 to 1:30pm @ the Chapter Office

“An Introduction to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)”

The AIA East Bay Regional and Urban Design Forum (RUDF) is undertaking a series of events over the next three months focused an educating the AIAEB membership about TOD – what it means for the East Bay and the opportunities that architects have in creating successful TOD.

To kick-off the series of events, the RUDF has invited Dena Belzer, Principal of Strategic Economics and partner in the Center for Transit Oriented Development (CTOD) a national organization dedicated to providing best practices, research, and tools to support market-based TOD. Ms. Belzer will discuss what TOD is, the key elements that make for successful TOD, what architects can do to create great TOD, and give highlights of the range of TOD happening in the East Bay. Come and help the RUDF start this important discussion about reshaping neighborhoods around transit.

Hold a place on your calendar for the RUDF’s second event a Saturday tour of TOD in the East Bay on May 13th.

For more information: sidney@aiaeb.org

Displacement Ventilation Workshop

Displacement Ventilation Workshop
Presented by Charles Eley, PE FAIA, Executive Director of CHPS and John Arent, Architectural Energy Corporation

April 27th from 9:00am to 3:00pm

SMUD - Rubicon Room CSC
6301 S Street, Sacramento

May 2 from 9:00am to 3:00pm
Southern California Edison’s CTAC
Irwindale

Displacement ventilation is an alternate method of air distribution that can simultaneously provide improved indoor air quality, effective acoustics, and energy savings. It is particularly effective for California schools where problems with indoor air quality and acoustics can impact the learning environment. It is also a viable option for theaters and auditoriums, restaurants, offices, and other commercial buildings. This course provides design professionals and school facilities personnel with the necessary tools to successfully incorporate this technology into commercial buildings. PIER Research findings from two California schools will be explored.

This Workshop has been scheduled in Northern and Southern California – both are free to attend, but registration is required.

For registrations:
In Nothern California https://usage.smud.org/yourAccount/ETCstudent/ClassDescription.asp?id=289
In South California
https://www.sce.com/ECR/EnergyCenterClassSchedule.aspx?SORT=D&ORG=CTAC,OTHER

For more information: 415.957.1977 x105 or sara@chps.net

2006 Preservation Design Awards

CPF Announces the Call for Entries for the 2006 Preservation Design Awards!

California Preservation Foundation invites you to submit your finest work that protects the irreplaceable in California.

The California Preservation Foundation Preservation Design Awards program recognizes individual designers and/or design teams for their outstanding achievements in support of historic preservation in California.

Applicants may submit nomination in one of 9 categories:
Preservation
Rehabilitation (Small Projects & Large Projects
Restoration
Reconstruction
Contextual In-Fill
Sustainability
Cultural Resource Studies, Reports
Craftsmanship/Preservation Technology
Archeological and Interpretive Exhibits

TO ENTER
Individuals and teams interested in entering a project should submit a completed application. A full description of the categories and list of requirements is available in the entry application packet on-line: http://www.californiapreservation.org/2006PDA/

For more information: 415/495-0349 or cpf@californiapreservation.org

PSMJ's E-cast

10 questions you need to ask before budgeting your projects

Want to ensure you see a healthy profit on every project? You need to ask the right questions during the planning stage. Start with this budgeting checklist.

The international development scene: what's hot for the A/E/C industry?

Get a quick overview of the three biggest regions for overseas projects, and learn of some helpful resources for getting your foot in the door

Book Signing For Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka

Book Signing For Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka
April 23rd, 2006, 3.00pm-5.30pm
African American Museum and Library
659 14th Street, Oakland
Wole Soyinka - the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and a human-rights activist of prodigious energies, Wole Soyinka follows his highly acclaimed childhood autobiography, Ake: The Years of Childhood, with a monumental new memoir that recounts his tumultuous adult years.
YOU MUST SET FORTH AT DAWN is both a fascinating chronicle of a public life, and a more private meditation on the sustaining power of friendship.

For reservations: wolebooksign@gmail.com or osagie.e@gmail.com

For more information: 510.393.6262 or 510. 637.0200.

Artisan Open House: Phyllis Pacin Ceramic Design

4/8/06
Artisan Open House: Phyllis Pacin Ceramic Design
Don't miss Phyllis Pacin's open house this weekend! Ms. Pacin was one of three local artisans to present their work at our March Chapter meeting; she has graciously agreed to open her studio for all to see her work in person.
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: 4097 39th Avenue, Oakland
Contact: Phyllis Pacin, 510/530-7059
Cost: None.

PSMJ's E-cast

10 more entrepreneurial deathtraps

PSMJ consultants offer 10 more common pitfalls that have sent promising new design firms down a quick path to failure.

Five steps to counteract escalation in negotiations

During negotiations, you need to watch out for clients who attempt to slip in additions to the scope of work without proper discussion. Respond to escalation with these five steps.

AIA Provides Details on Tax Break for Architects

AIA Provides Details on Tax Break for Architects

As reported in recent editions of The Angle, 2005 is the first tax year in which architects can use the new tax break that Congress passed in 2004. The AIA advocated strongly for this provision and wants to ensure that AIA members eligible for the deduction use it.As with many tax matters, the provision is complex and has several limitations on its use. Therefore, the AIA asked the law firm of Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds to draft a brief guide to the provision that will be useful to members and their accountants in preparing returns for the 2005 tax year. That guidance document can be found here.

Capitol Hill Watch
Senate Poised to Act on Small Business Health Insurance

A key Senate committee is poised to take action on legislation to help make health care more affordable for small businesses, including thousands of architecture firms.

This month, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is planning to debate and vote on S. 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, sponsored by Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY). The legislation would make it easier for small business owners to purchase affordable health insurance by allowing trade, industry, and professional associations to establish small business health plans (SBHPs). It will help standardize requirements for SBHPs across the states while including important safeguards to ensure solvency and maintaining the primary role of states in health insurance oversight. The result will be that millions of Americans who own and work for small businesses will have access to affordable health care.

Although the House of Representatives has passed similar legislation eight separate times over the last decade, including last July, the Senate has never acted. Opponents, including state insurance regulators, consumer groups, and some large insurance providers like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, have prevented the House-passed bill from becoming law. Recognizing the stalemate, Enzi began drafting a new bill last fall to address the concerns of the bill’s opponents.

“We commend Chairman Enzi for breaking the logjam that has prevented Congress from taking action on this issue and providing relief to small firms and practitioners who are facing huge insurance premiums,” said Tom Wolfe, senior director, AIA Federal Affairs. “This is the first and best opportunity we’ve seen in a long time for Congress to act on small business health care. We can’t let this opportunity slip away.

”Small business health care was one of the top issues that AIA members brought to their senators and representatives last month during the AIA Grassroots Legislative and Leadership Conference. The AIA is also part of a coalition, which also includes the major engineering and construction societies, that is working to pass small business health care legislation. The coalition is working to reach out to undecided senators to show their support for the bill.

The AIA strongly urges AIA members to contact their senators to ask them to vote in favor of the legislation. Visit the AIA online advocacy center to learn how you can help make small business health care affordable.

For more information: amelis@aia.org