First of all differentiate your firm. Strive to be # 1 at what you do best.
Develop your brand. Promote your firm. Tastefully and tactfully market your services.
Clearly define and communicate the style and culture of your firm.
Emphasize creativity and encourage innovation. Create an environment that supports design excellence.
Embrace technology. Challenge your staff to investigate and experiment with the latest innovations in hardware, software and solutions.
Refuse to settle for mediocrity—whether it is in design solutions, management, marketing or human resources.
Encourage Growth—a growing firm is generally a healthy firm, which provides opportunities for advancement and learning.
Understand that it’s all about your clients. Unless you are independently wealthy, you can’t do what you love without the patrons to support you and your firm. Keep them happy!
Find ways to help all of your staff learn and grow.
As a leader, set strategic vision and provide momentum.
And lastly—read copiously; business classics, best sellers, industry-related and design journals.
Experiment with these practices, expand your knowledge of them; surround yourself with smart and dynamic people who practice them; incorporate them in your firm, and your company will “Stand Out in a Crowd” and have a high likelihood of success.
—Lucinda Ludwig, FAIA
