Making Chaos Work for You: Keys to Firm Management
In this excerpt from the continuing education course "Making Chaos Work for You: Keys to Firm Management", practicing architect and management consultant Rena Klein, FAIA, helps unleash the creativity and enthusiasm inherent in smaller firms. Rena's folksy style, coupled with pointed advice, will help firm leaders apply management theory and practical applications to increase a firm's overall productivity and creativity, and improve the effectiveness of firm leadership
| Presenter: |
Rena Klein, Faia, Editorial Director |
| Firm: |
aecKnowledge, Inc. |
| Knowledge Area: |
Practice Management |
| Duration: |
11:40 |
So You Want to Be an Expert Witness
Ever wonder what it takes to become an expert witness? Think you maybe you have what it takes? In this 7-minute kTalk, David Brotman, FAIA, affably and thoroughly demystifies the routine of the expert witness. From who’s qualified to do it, the necessary character traits required to do it well, the ethics involved and the challenges you’ll face. Tune in to watch a seasoned expert witness explain the essentials.
| Presenter: |
David Brotman, Faia, Principal |
| Firm: |
Sunset Consultants |
| Knowledge Area: |
Practice Management |
| Duration: |
07:24 |
Making Pro-Bono Possible
While taking on a Pro-Bono project might be a philanthropic endeavor at its root, it’s also one that will be met with real world challenges such as budget constraints, volunteer morale, and how to best integrate distinct visions. In this 9-minute kTalk, Elise Drakes shares her insights and experiences in taking a pro-bono remodel from concept to completion as a Project Coordinator for Taylor. Find out how to get businesses and individuals to contribute time and money, how to solicit free artwork, and how to keep a volunteer workforce productive.
| Presenter: |
Elise Drakes, Project Manager |
| Firm: |
LPA, Inc. |
| Knowledge Area: |
Practice Management |
| Duration: |
08:43 |
How We Work Together
Workplace relationships are vital. They can mean the difference between high-performing teams and bankrupt companies, yet it’s a subject that gets little attention. In this 7-minute kTalk, Alyssa Scholz, Taylor’s Director of Interior Design, presents a philosophical yet practical approach for building honest, respectful relationships with colleagues. Learn your “Way of Being” in order to enjoy more effective collaboration, open communication and personal satisfaction in your working relationships.
| Presenter: |
Alyssa Scholz |
| Firm: |
TAYLOR |
| Knowledge Area: |
Practice Management |
| Duration: |
06:51 |
Working with the Media in Today’s 24/7 World
While understanding the media has long been the goal of successful companies, new technologies are bringing fourth new rules in today’s 24/7 media-focused world. In this 7-minute kTalk, Leeza Hoyt, media expert and President of Hoyt Organization, offers a wealth of sage advice for companies and individuals who need to understand, employ and leverage the power of traditional and new media.
| Presenter: |
Leeza Hoyt, President |
| Firm: |
The Hoyt Organization, Inc. |
| Knowledge Area: |
Practice Management |
| Duration: |
07:03 |
Building Cities That Are Seismically Resilient
San Francisco serves as the case study for this kTalk, in which Chris Poland, SE, FSEAOC,
challenges legislators and architects to think beyond safety in construction, and instead, focus on resiliency in design. Earthquakes are an everyday reality in our world and Chris identifies the designs and decisions that can lead post-earthquake cities to rapid recovery or slow decline. He examines the sequence of SPURs Preparedness Recommendations and tells the cautionary tale of L’Aquila, Italy – in which one city’s overreaction to a minor earthquake brought long lasting consequences.
| Presenter: |
Chris Poland, Chairman And Ceo |
| Firm: |
Degenkolb Engineers |
| Knowledge Area: |
Documents, Specifications & CA |
| Duration: |
09:23 |
Acoustical Design of the San Francisco Exploratorium
When designing San Francisco's new Exploratorium, experts faced the formidable acoustical challenges that arise when large interior spaces and hard surfaces meet large-scale machinery and crowd noise. In this 7-minute kTalk, Charles Salter, PE, details the methods used by the Exploratorium acoustics team to minimize undesirable noise while emphasizing the sounds of a vibrant population exploring a hands-on environment.
| Presenter: |
Charles Salter, President |
| Firm: |
Charles M Salter Associates Inc. |
| Knowledge Area: |
Documents, Specifications & CA |
| Duration: |
07:09 |
California's New Sustainable Landscaping Legislation
In this enlightening kTalk, Cassy Aoyagi, LEED AP, discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by AB1881, California’s new Model Water Efficiency legislation aimed at curbing environmental degradation and rising energy costs. Aoyagi presents a multi-faceted strategy for achieving compliance while enhancing air and water quality, saving time and money, and increasing LEED Rankings without sacrificing design aesthetics or our fascination with water features.
| Presenter: |
Cassy Aoyagi, President |
| Firm: |
Theodore Payne Foundation/FormLA Landscaping |
| Knowledge Area: |
Codes / Specification |
| Duration: |
09:35 |
Specification Processes as Quality Assurance
Think specifications are nothing more than a book of standards, materials and methods? In this 9-minute kTalk, Michael Chambers, FAIA, makes the case that one of the most underutilized aspects of specifications is that of a quality assurance process for both the design and construction phases of a project. Learn how to use these processes and procedures as powerful tools to clearly and concisely communicate the critical aspects of design to your contractor.
| Presenter: |
Michael Chambers, Architect |
| Firm: |
MCA Specifications |
| Knowledge Area: |
Codes / Specification |
| Duration: |
08:49 |
Preparing and Delivering an Effective kTalk
The goal of the kTalk is to convey concise and targeted knowledge to your audience. In this 7-minute kTalk, Donna Norstad offers helpful advice on how to prepare your talk, how to speak on camera and how you can use visual exhibits to make your kTalk the best it can be.
| Presenter: |
Tom Ochsner |
| Firm: |
Tom Ochsner Architect |
| Knowledge Area: |
Marketing & BD |
| Duration: |
06:57 |
kTalks