FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE:

JOIN THE WAIT LIST FOR MY REVAMPED COURSE INTERIOR DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

WHY YOU MUST BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE BEFORE PROBLEMS ARISE ON JOB SITES

CHERRY PICKING INFO IN CRISIS MODE JUST WON’T CUT IT

DON’T GET TOO ATTACHED TO YOUR SYSTEMS – ALLOW AGILITY 

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Problem solving while in crisis mode is not productive

First of all, you don’ always get the answers you’re looking for because you’re looking for the fastest answer and we all know that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best answer. But it answer it is, and so an answer we take and run with. 

Building your knowledge is what will circumvent the majority of the problems you are struggling with. And for the problems that do still creep up you will have the confidence and the mastery to handle it with ease showcasing your expertise in construction management. 

Let’s take a step back

I have been talking about how we should be more flexible with our processes and our systems. We are so inundated with a huge variety of options,(fortunately). Is what I see is some designer falling into the trap of ‘it’s got to be this way.’ It’s the one way or it’s no way. 

We often get process paralysis. It is completely understandable. We are all human, and we fear getting things wrong. Period. So we think, ok there’s this one right way and once I find it, it will give me that sense of control I’m desperate for. 

Often, clinging to this one perfect process, in the end, often slows you down or worse, boxes you in and you miss opportunities. 

I’m not saying to skip those processes and systems – not at all. I myself have them. But I’ve tailored them to the needs that my business has, in a way that makes sense to me. Because frankly, I’m the one that has to implement them and sell portions of them to my client base. 

We crave everything about our workflow to be streamlined. But again, tweaking, trying, pivoting is actually what’s going to build the best process for you. 

Don’t get too attached to systems

I have fallen into this trap myself. Mainly because they just were comfortable. Agility is such a power move because it lets you adapt as your business grows or your client base shifts or your capacity changes. So instead of asking, ‘What’s the right way?’ Maybe the better question is, ‘What’s the right way for me, right now?’ 

Pricing

I see designers jump straight to pricing. They think that pricing is their problem. They are losing money on their construction projects. ‘It must be my fees. It must be my markup. What am I doing wrong, and how do I fix it?’ 

Yes, this is where most designers go wrong.  And yes, it can absolutely be improved. So that you are actually being paid for your expertise, your knowledge and your skill set. Instead of having you completely underwater in your hours, freaking out that the job isn’t nearly done and you don’t know how to make up the difference. 

But here’s the thing, pricing, in this example, is just one piece of this very large puzzle. 

So if you don’t know how to vet a client properly or set expectations early, create and utilize a solid contract, and know how to build a true scope of work that will absolutely keep you from falling into the trap of scope creep, or handling the onboarding processing of the client, or even build the right relationships with your trades or industry partners, then fixing your fee, isn’t going to solve the real problem – that’s just the symptom.

Again, there is no one way, or right way, to run a design business. That said, there are tested systems that you need to adapt, and make your own. 

You must commit to learning the entire arc of construction management. Cherry picking information when you’re in a panic is not the way. 

So instead of asking, “What’s the fix for this one issue?” Ask, “What didn’t I know before this became a problem?”

Success does not come from being the fastest firefighter. It comes from being the architect of a system that works for you, for your business, right now.