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Strategies and Tactics for Architects in an Economic Downturn

0A sequel to the April 2008 “Architecture Practice in an Economic Downturn: Challenges and Opportunities” session, this Web seminar places greater emphasis on practical strategies and tactics to manage a design firm through leaner economic times. The downturn in design activity reported by architecture firms in recent months is projected to produce a mild decline in nonresidential construction activity this year, before turning down more significantly in 2009. How can your architecture firm respond?

0Presenters are AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA; Rena M. Klein, FAIA, principal, RM Klein Consulting and AIA Soloso's subject matter expert for practice; David Koren, Assoc. AIA, associate principal and director of marketing, Perkins Eastman; and, Robert P. Smith, AIA, LEED-AP, managing principal, CMMI.

0Learning objectives:

0• Understand the current macro-economic conditions and their implications to individual firms;

0• Understand the financial "early warning" signals that indicate a deteriorating economic situation;

0• Gain a working knowledge of how to address HR issues when economic turmoil upsets the status quo in firms;

0• Learn 10 steps to marketing in a slowdown.

0Originally broadcast on September 24, 2008. [Run time: 1 Hour: 29 Minutes: 31 Seconds]

0Click here to view the Web seminar.

0Keywords: Practice, Business planning, Business plans, Workload forecasts, Economic forecasts, Construction outlook forecasts, Building construction data and statistics, Architecture Billings Index (ABI), Economic indicators, Building industry economics, Architecture firm, Financial management, Human resources, Marketing