Best Laid Plans: Business Planning for Small Firms

In twenty-first century practice, unpredictability is a fact of life for architectural firms. Small firm owners must cope with constantly shifting workloads, respond quickly to promising opportunities, and deal immediately with unexpected challenges. This interactive seminar presents strategies for business planning within this milieu of unpredictability, including case studies illustrating best practices. Participants will learn about the major components of a business plan—purpose, finance, marketing, and operations—and practical techniques for plan development and implementation.

The workshop includes short lectures and numerous interactive opportunities. Topics covered include the life cycle of a typical firm, why owners should plan, obstacles to planning, and how to implement action plans. In general, business planning for small firms will be approached as a process involving strategic thinking, rather than the creation of a static document.

This workshop targets owners of firms with fewer than 20 on staff, and will also be useful to those thinking of starting a firm and to emerging professionals. Participants will have ample opportunity to engage in dialogue with colleagues, with special emphasis given to exchanging strategies for coping with the economic downturn.

This program was presented at the 2009 AIA National Convention as a 2-hour seminar and is being presented at the 2010 AIA National Convention as a half-day pre-convention workshop, sponsored by AIA Custom Residential Architects Network and AIA Small Project Practitioners.

Rena M. Klein, FAIA is principal of RM Klein Consulting, a firm offering business planning services, meeting facilitation, and management education to owners of architectural firms nationwide. Building on her graduate degree in management and her twenty years experience as the owner of a small architectural firm, Rena regularly presents seminars on small firm practice at AIA National Conventions and at various AIA Knowledge Communities. Her innovative work in this area has appeared in print and web publications, including AIA’s on-line Architects Knowledge Resource. Rena is the author of The Architect’s Guide to Small Firm Management, published by John Wiley & Sons. More information at http://rmklein.com

7/15/10

Best Laid Plans: Business Planning for Small Firms

This highly interactive seminar presents strategies for business planning within this milieu of unpredictability, including practical techniques for plan development and implementation. Presented by Rena Klein, FAIA, followed by a book signing for her book The Architect's Guide to Small Firm Management.

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.

Contact: 510/464-3600

Cost: None; this seminar is open to all. Please RSVP.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600