Cover image for Starting a Practice, 2nd Edition

Starting a Practice, 2nd Edition

Author Simon Foxell
Release Date: 2019/07/01
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Book Description

The second edition of the popular Starting a Practice: A Plan of Work is a fully revised and updated guide to planning, setting up and running your architectural practice. Mapped to the RIBA Plan of Work 2013, it approaches starting a business as if it were a design project complete with briefing, sketch layouts and delivery.

Comprehensive, accessible and easy to use, Starting a Practice provides essential guidance on the many issues involved in establishing a successful business, including preparing a business plan, choosing the right company structure, seeking advice, monitoring finances, getting noticed and securing work; and much more.

The book is full of practical advice gained from the author’s 30 years in practice but is aimed at starting up now, in the second decade of the 21st century, with its particular challenges and opportunities. It is invaluable reading for Part 3 students, young practitioners and those considering starting up on their own or wanting to consolidate an existing business.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. PREFACE 1st Edition
  5. PREFACE 2nd Edition
  6. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  8. CONTENTS
  9. Stage 0 Strategic Definition
    1. Strategy formulation
    2. Business mentor
    3. Feasibility study
    4. Escape routes
  10. Stage 1 Preparation and Brief
  11. Stage 2 The Outline Business Case
    1. SWOT analysis
    2. Market research
    3. Advice
    4. Business training
    5. Investment and risk
    6. The outline business case (OBC)
  12. Stage 3 The Business Plan
    1. The business plan
    2. The company
    3. Business potential
    4. Your offer
    5. Practice promotion
    6. Business arrangements
    7. Finances
    8. Company or trading name
  13. Stage 4 – Part 1 Business Design
    1. Practice culture
    2. Design culture
    3. Service delivery
    4. Practices and policies
    5. Information management
    6. Knowledge management
    7. Developing standards
    8. Training and CPD
    9. Health and safety
  14. Stage 4 – Part 2 Component Selection
    1. Graphic identity
    2. Premises
    3. Office basics
    4. Equipment
    5. Bank account
    6. Insurance
    7. Professional advisers
    8. Keeping account
    9. Tax, National Insurance and VAT
    10. Pensions
  15. Stage 5 – Part 1 Getting Noticed
    1. Marketing
    2. Publicity materials
    3. Overcoming procurement barriers
  16. Stage 5 – Part 2 Winning Work
    1. Working at risk
    2. Negotiation
    3. Saying ‘No’
    4. Generating your own work
  17. Stage 5 – Part 3 Appointments and Fees
    1. Appointment
    2. Fees
    3. Expenses
  18. Stage 5 – Part 4 Working
    1. Professionalism
    2. Organisation
    3. Project staffing
    4. Records
    5. Quality control
    6. Change control
    7. Standard procedures
    8. Resourcing
    9. Time management
    10. Research and innovation
    11. Risk
    12. Locums
    13. Money
    14. Trouble
    15. Taking on staff
  19. Stage 6 Keeping Going
    1. Maturing
    2. Benchmarking
    3. Reviewing
    4. Office manual
    5. Quality management
    6. Workload
    7. Skills
    8. Planning for disaster
    9. Work–life balance
  20. Stage 7 Evaluation and Looking Ahead
    1. The (next) business plan
    2. Forward planning
    3. Practice positioning
    4. Size and growth
    5. Staff progression
    6. Succession planning
  21. Conclusion
  22. Bibliography
  23. Websites
  24. Index