Today, I’d like to focus your attention on an upcoming symposium: Claiming Creativity, to take place in Chicago, Illinois, on April 21-24, 2010. Forward-thinking architects will greatly benefit from attending---and actively participating in---this event. It will be an excellent opportunity to … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #55: Submit your papers NOW for Claiming Creativity Symposium
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Scarlett Letter #54: How do you get your creative juices flowing?
The AEC industry is overflowing with creative types...not only do we do creative things for our living, but we treasure our extracurricular creative outlets. Even engineers---whom one might initially think are less creative relative to architects and interior designers---collaborate to creatively … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #54: How do you get your creative juices flowing?
Scarlett Letter #53: Getting rid of the ‘noise’ and finding balance
In the old classic movie Born Yesterday, Billie remarked with full honesty: "As long as I know how to get what I want, that's all I want to know!" As the writers intended, the audience chuckled at her comment. But actually, upon further reflection, I realize that in a way, she might have a point. … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #53: Getting rid of the ‘noise’ and finding balance
Scarlett Letter #52: Effective question to ask when networking
I'm sure all of my readers have developed at least one (or more) elevator speeches over their career, yes? That said, the questions become 1. how effective are they? 2. how often are they used? 3. how comfortable are you with using your elevator speech(es)? 4. how must customizing are you able to … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #52: Effective question to ask when networking
Scarlett Letter #51: Raising Awareness about The Architect’s Newspaper
Today's blog post is different than most....I'd like to bring your attention to The Architect's Newspaper. I discovered this industry gem during a recent networking pow-wow, thanks to industry colleagues Justin G. Roy, AEC social media guru and Co-Founder of TweetNetworking; Christopher Parsons, … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #51: Raising Awareness about The Architect’s Newspaper
Scarlett Letter #50: The Marketing Value to Low Staff Turnover, Part II
In Part I (Scarlett Letter #49), I placed an emphasis on why low turnover is a valuable marketing asset for any professional services firm. Now, as promised, I'll present some of Nagle Hartray's secrets to staff retention success over all of these years. I checked in with Joe Hirsch, Business … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #50: The Marketing Value to Low Staff Turnover, Part II
Scarlett Letter #49: The Marketing Value to Low Staff Turnover, Part I
Years ago, I worked at Chicago-based Nagle Hartray, a boutique architectural firm. Even in those days, the firm had an uncanny ability to retain its staff. The turnover rate was unusually low---a rare gift in any industry. If you are unfamiliar with the high quality work of Nagle Hartray, then you … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #49: The Marketing Value to Low Staff Turnover, Part I
Scarlett Letter #48: Leaving money on the table–it’s tough, but sometimes necessary
For a business owner, there is perhaps nothing more difficult than taking a pass on a business opportunity; in other words, leaving money on the table. {Exception: savvy business owners eliminate deadbeat clients---defined as clients who either are slow to pay, or are just difficult to work with, … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #48: Leaving money on the table–it’s tough, but sometimes necessary
Scarlett Letter #47: Unless you ASK for what you want, the answer will always be ‘no’.
This weekend, I was talking with friends about how---in all scenarios whether professional or personal---you have to directly ask for what it is that you want. Otherwise, you can be certain that the answer (aka result) will be 'no'. When you look at it that way, what do you really have to lose by … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #47: Unless you ASK for what you want, the answer will always be ‘no’.
Scarlett Letter #46: Brownbagging it–Your brand & your relationships versus ‘blind judgement’
Ever heard of a brown bag party? I know a woman who hosts brown bag parties (BBPs for short) often. The premise is simple. Everyone brings a bottle of wine in a brown bag. They conduct a blind taste-test contest. The winners are solely based on each individuals' experience in tasting the wine in … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #46: Brownbagging it–Your brand & your relationships versus ‘blind judgement’