I really appreciate your perspective. It happens to often that someone jumps into something without a plan and understand how to proceed in a productive and sucessful manor.

Thank You, I look forward to your future articals.

Kaya,

I'm glad you pointed this out. It's important to realize that without the trust and care a person shows a potential client or referal will gladly move on thinking that you only care about yourself and your business and not them. I do find that if someone truly wants more info I try to give them what they want now and if they have a specific project we set up a meeting for a later date.

Ilise,

Can't wait till number 3! I'm going to place some of these things in our agenda so we are constantly reminded of our goals.

Ilise,

Thanks for the info. We have had our business for almost a year and I really appreciate some basic guidelines to go by for a sucessful 2nd year.

Books that help create ones uniqueness helps provide that important extra that a client wants. Design, Form & Chaos and The Art of Looking Sideways sound like the right texts for me as an Architect it's good to look at things with an eye toward the creative process. The Lorax is a great story/example of living responsibly that was many years before it's time. Thanks!

As a small, new business it's nice to have some direction for our marketing. There are lot's of groups to join that adds up fast. We will use this to help frame our thoughts. We spent about 10% this year but I would like to reduce that to about 7% this year due to the economic condition of the Construction industry.

Thanks for the info. I read your most current artical and now can write my Environmental Policy Statement.

It's vital to destinguish the real players in your marketing and practice. A business needs to be clear about their values. Our Tagline is "Architecture for Responsible Living" and we design both residential and commercial projects. I have found that with any project you can influence many sustainable features into any project within any budget or site constraints. Keep up the good work.

Sean Hegstad HAVEN DesignWorkshop

Great idea! I was thinking about a little booklet that would be produced in house. As an architect prospective clients like to see good design and better understand what your about. Some great pictures, title text and some clear text about who we are. Ed, how was the book actually bound in house or was that portion outsourced?

Thanks, Sean

It's nice to see infomitive articals about the Sustainable movement. I have seen a lot more interest from clients on this topic! The Bellingham, WA area is really embracing this concept and it's shaping lives and businesses in a significant way. We are shaping a more responsible people for our future.
Thanks for continueing this effort,

Sean Hegstad Responsible Architect Haven Design Workshop

To really care about the clients needs is to provide them what they desire. We need to remove the blinders and know that each person is unique. It's important not only to listen but to observe the dynamic as the conversation(s) moves forward.

Thank You! It's to easy to let "life" get in the way of our gratitude. We should remeber to let everyone know that we appreciate them for what they do. Let's not get in the habit of thanking only those who will benefit us!