Architecture Business Club - For Architects, Architectural Technologists, Surveyors & Designers

Jon discusses how architecture practices can escape the feast and famine cycle by using launches as part of their marketing strategy. He is joined by Sigrun, an award-winning business coach, best-selling author, and entrepreneur, who explains the power of launching to create a steady and predictable pipeline of work. Sigrun shares her journey from studying architecture to becoming a leading business mentor and outlines how architects can implement launches to grow their practices. The episode also touches on the potential for architects to create online courses as an additional revenue stream. Sigrun offers practical insights into creating excitement through events, addressing common misconceptions, and the stages involved in the launch process.

Today's Guest...

Sigrun is an award-winning business coach, bestselling author, and multiple 7 figure entrepreneur. She is on a mission to accelerate gender equality through female entrepreneurship. She’s been called the leading business mentor for online entrepreneurs in Europe, is a TEDx speaker, and host of the top-rated Sigrun Show podcast. Sigrun’s online business journey started shortly after finishing her master’s degree in architecture. She’s since been featured in Forbes and numerous leading media publications in Europe and has won 5 Stevie Awards; as the Hero of the year, Entrepreneur of the year, Solo entrepreneur of the year, Manager of the year, and Sales Achievement of the year.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:44 Meet Sigrun: Business Coach and Entrepreneur

04:37 Sigrun's Journey from Architecture to Online Business

19:22 The Concept of Launching Explained

23:15 The Power of Limited Editions

24:17 Creating Urgency in Marketing

25:40 Addressing Skepticism in Service Businesses

28:01 Effective Launch Strategies for Service Businesses

29:39 Stages of a Successful Launch

33:53 Leveraging Digital Products for Architects

34:28 Success Story: Zero Energy Buildings

38:59 Final Thoughts on Launching

41:50 Exploring Iceland: A Personal Favorite

44:02 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Key Takeaways...

The Power of Launching:

Launching is a marketing strategy that creates excitement and urgency around a product or service. By planning and executing a well-structured launch, you can significantly boost their sales in a short period. This approach works for is applicable not only to products but also to services and can lead to a more efficient and effective way of attracting and retaining clients.

Building Expertise and Authority:

Sharing expertise through online courses or digital products can enhance a business's authority in its field. By teaching others, businesses not only diversify their income streams but also attract new clients who recognize their expertise. This dual benefit can lead to increased business through both educational content and traditional service offerings.

Creating Urgency and Scarcity:

Communicating limited availability of services or spots creates a sense of urgency and encourages prospective clients to act quickly. This strategy is particularly effective in service-based businesses, as it ensures that potential clients do not delay making a decision, which can help in maintaining a steady flow of work and avoiding peaks and troughs in workloads.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Get Sigrun’s Book ‘Kickstart Your Online Business’ Now - For Free 🎁

Visit Sigrun’s Website

Sigrun on Facebook

Sigrun’s Instagram

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources...

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁

👉 Foll...

Jon chats with Laura Pearman, an expert in personal branding about the importance of personal branding for solo and small firm architecture practice owners. They discuss how you can adapt your personal brand as your business grows. Laura shares tips on how to start and build a strong personal brand, and explains common misconceptions people have about it. They also discuss how external factors like your views on the environment and technology may influence your personal brand. Jon and Laura also share personal stories about their own experiences. Laura shares steps you can take today to align your personal brand with your business goals.

Today's Guest...

Laura Pearman is an internationally recognised Personal Brand Consultant with over a decade of experience helping leaders create impactful and authentic personal brands. Based in the UK, Laura specialises in bespoke strategies, combining creative vision with sharp business acumen. She’s known for her quirky Vintage style, straight-talking Northern charm, and ability to bridge the gap between business owners and creatives. Laura’s work has empowered countless leaders to elevate their authority, embrace their uniqueness, and drive results.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Meet Laura Pearman: Personal Brand Consultant

05:33 Personal Branding Misconceptions

09:11 Challenges for Architects in Personal Branding

15:52 Practical Steps for Personal Branding

23:04 Client Success Stories

29:11 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

39:09 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Key Takeaways...

Your Personal Brand Grows with You

Your personal brand isn’t something you set up once and forget about. It changes as your business and the industry evolve, so you’ll need to keep refining and updating it to stay relevant.

Stay True to Who You Are

The best personal brands feel real and reflect who you truly are. Make sure your brand matches your values and those of your business to create a consistent and relatable image.

Use Research to Guide Your Brand

Good personal branding is based on research. Look into industry trends, key players, and new ideas. Tools like the PESTLE model can help you spot what matters and keep your brand relevant.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Grab Laura’s Personal Branding Checklist 🎁

Connect with Laura on Instragram 🤝

Watch Laura’s YouTube Channel 📹

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources...

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode...

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

In The Next Episode...

Next time Jon is joined by Derek Timms to discuss common outsourcing mistakes in architecture.

In this episode, Jon hosts Architecture Business Club with guest James Talman, CEO of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors and Competent Roofer. They delve into the intricacies of roofing in architectural designs and how architects can minimise risks to ensure that their next roof is designed and built properly. James also shares important information about the NFRC's crucial role in enhancing technical excellence in roofing, elevating industry standards, and offering free resources. The discussion further explores the Building Safety Act and how the industry is preparing to implement it to ensure safety and professionalism.

Today's Guest...

James Talman is the CEO of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and CompetentRoofer. Since 2016, James has led a transformation focused on enhancing technical excellence in roofing and elevating industry standards. He's played a key role in partnerships, including CITB's RoofCERT accreditation programme, and represents the NFRC globally, fostering connections with roofing bodies in China, Germany, USA, and Canada. James, a board member of Build UK, balances his professional life with a passion for sports and the outdoors.

Episode Highlights...

00:53 Introduction to the Guest - James Talman

01:39 Personal Interests and Hobbies

03:23 Understanding the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)

06:29 Benefits of Working with NFRC Registered Contractors

08:41 Understanding the Competent Roofer Scheme

10:27 How NFRC Can Assist Architecture Practices

15:32 Reducing Risks and Ensuring Compliance

20:09 Understanding the Building Safety Act

24:49 Career Opportunities in Roofing

26:16 Personal Travel Experiences

27:34 Connecting with NFRC Online

28:31 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

Key Takeaways...

👉 The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is a membership organisation that provides support and resources for contractors, manufacturers, and service providers in the roofing industry.

👉 The NFRC offers a Competent Roofer scheme, which allows roofing contractors to self-certify their work to building regulations, eliminating the need for separate building control inspections.

👉 NFRC registered contractors undergo rigorous inspections and audits to ensure their commercial probity, office procedures, and health and safety standards meet industry standards.

👉 Working with NFRC registered contractors provides advantages such as independent inspections, comprehensive guarantees, compliance with data provision, and recourse in case of any issues.

👉 The NFRC has connections with suppliers and manufacturers in the roofing industry and can assist in finding specialist roofing contractors for specific projects, such as heritage buildings.

👉 The NFRC provides resources on its website, including essential safety information, guidance bulletins, and books on various types of roofing.

👉 The NFRC is actively involved in the development of the roofing industry, including implementing mandatory technical competencies and promoting careers in roofing.

👉 The Building Safety Act has introduced legislation and frameworks for competency in the construction industry, including roofing, to ensure safety standards are met.

👉 The NFRC is available to provide support, advice, and guidance to architects and other professionals involved in roofing projects.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

NFRC’s Website > https://www.nfrc.co.uk/

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👇 Click the link below to grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the FREE step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers.

https://architecturebusinessclub.com/blueprint

-----

👇 Join the waitlist & chat group for our Community & Mastermind (for FREE)🎁

https://architecturebusinessclub.com/waitlist

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode...

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

👇 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn at...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjonclayton/

In The Next Episode...

Next time Jon chats with business coach Mike Cole about embracing your neurodivergent quirks.

In this episode of Architecture Business Club, host Jon discusses starting his own architectural design side hustle in 2010. He takes us through his motivation for starting a side business, shares details about the challenges he faced including dealing with job insecurity due to redundancy and his drive to create a location-independent business. Jon provides insights on how he got off the ground with consultations, grant funding opportunities, and forming a business plan. He also highlights the importance of having a proper presence for the business and a great online presence. In the latter part of the episode, he provides advice for those thinking of pursuing a similar path about avoiding perfectionism, understanding their motivations, and advice on possible conflicts of interest with current employers. The episode concludes with Jon sharing his lessons learned and answering key considerations for anyone thinking about starting an architecture side hustle.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:08 Understanding Side Hustles

01:32 Why Start a Side Hustle?

03:20 Starting the Side Hustle Journey

07:35 Overcoming Perfectionism and Launching the Business

10:31 Reflections and Lessons Learned

12:37 Tips for Starting a Side Hustle

13:50 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

Key Takeaways...

👉 Starting a side hustle in architecture can provide additional income and flexibility.

👉 Side hustles are usually extra jobs or small businesses done outside of a regular job.

👉 Starting a side hustle can be motivated by factors like job insecurity, the desire for location independence, and the need for extra money.

👉 To start a side hustle, it is important to have a plan and consider factors like business goals, products/services, competition, and financial forecasts.

👉 Seeking advice from professionals, such as mentors, accountants, and insurance brokers, can be beneficial when starting a side hustle.

👉 Establishing a virtual office, creating a website, and setting up business listings are important steps to establish a presence for the side hustle.

👉 It is important to consider why you are starting a side hustle and whether you want it to remain a small venture or grow into a larger business.

👉 Contingency plans should be considered in case the side hustle grows more quickly than expected or takes up more time.

👉 Finding a niche and being clear about who you want to serve can help differentiate the side hustle and attract the desired types of projects.

👉 Connecting with professionals, peers, and industry organisations can provide valuable advice and support for running a side hustle in architecture.

Free Places To List Your Business Online

Apple Maps > https://businessconnect.apple.com/

Bing Places > https://www.bingplaces.com/

Free Index > https://www.freeindex.co.uk/advertise.htm

Thomson Local > https://www.thomsonlocal.com/product/freelisting

Yell > https://www.yell.com/free-listing/

Yelp > https://business.yelp.com/advertise/free-online-business-advertising/

-----

👇 Click the link below to grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the FREE step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers.

https://architecturebusinessclub.com/blueprint

-----

👇 Join the waitlist & chat group for our Community & Mastermind (for FREE)🎁

https://architecturebusinessclub.com/waitlist

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode...

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

👇 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn at...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjonclayton/

In The Next Episode...

Next time, Jon chats wit...

In this episode of the Architecture Business Club podcast, host Jon Clayton talks with Linden Dover, co-founder and COO of Weaver, an online platform that assists architects and design professionals in finding, vetting, and hiring building contractors. Linden shares the rigorous three-step approach adopted by Weaver to vet contractors, emphasizing the importance of continual assessment. He also discusses his past experiences, specifically a 2016 instance regarding a rogue contractor that eventually led to the founding of Weaver. Ultimately, the continual vetting process maximises the chances of a successful match between a project and contractor and also ensures clients have a pleasant experience.

Today's Guest...

Linden Dover is an entrepreneur and seasoned property development professional with a deep-rooted passion for design, craftsmanship, and innovation. As the Co-Founder and COO of Weaver, an online platform connecting contractors to home renovation projects in the UK, he has cultivated a thriving network of trusted professionals. The platform, recognized and backed by influential industry leaders like BTOV, FJ Labs, and Atlassian Executives, stands as a testament to his commitment to elevating the construction and renovation industry.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:01 Meet the Guest: Linden Dover

01:57 Linden's Personal Journey and Relocation to Mallorca

03:02 The Birth of Weaver: A Story of Overcoming Challenges

06:55 The Weaver Vetting Process: Ensuring Quality Contractors

14:38 The Importance of Continual Assessment

16:47 The Two-Way Vetting Process: Ensuring Quality Projects

18:31 Tips for Finding the Right Contractor

23:09 The Importance of Respect and Communication in the Construction Industry

27:54 Linden's Favorite Place: A Hidden Gem in Mallorca

29:37 Conclusion and Farewell

Key Takeaways...

Do your due diligence: Don't just rely on looks or recommendations. Interrogate and thoroughly assess potential contractors.

Visit ongoing projects: Whenever possible, go visit a project that the contractor is currently working on. This will give you a good sense of their workmanship and the way they conduct themselves on site.

Verify credentials: Check if the contractor has the appropriate insurances and references for your specific type of project. Make sure they have the necessary experience and expertise.

Get references and verify them: Reach out to past clients and ask them about their experience working with the contractor. Ask about their communication, timeliness, and ability to resolve disputes.

Continual assessment: Look for contractors who are continually assessed and have a good track record. Consider working with platforms or networks that provide ongoing evaluation and feedback.

Consider specialization: If your project requires specific skills or expertise (e.g., sustainable design, unique materials), ensure that the contractor has experience in that area.

Avoid solely focusing on price: While cost is an important factor, prioritize factors such as communication, timeliness, and overall fit for your project. Cheaper quotes may lead to unexpected costs and low-quality work.

Provide feedback: Communicate with contractors and provide feedback on their performance. This helps them improve and ensures transparency.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Learn more about Weaver at...

https://www.weaver.build/architects

Linden’s LinkedIn Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linden-dover-1b080315

Linden’s Email Address

[email protected]

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