Operations Management
Changing the Productivity Paradigm
What struck me most about this exercise was that, without exception, the term "productivity" had an immediate, negative connotation. That is part of the problem. Read full »
A Delicious Yet Dangerous Paradox
Increasingly, firms are reporting higher percentages of backlog because of increased repeat client work. It is quite natural to think of this as a financial strength. Read full »
Confronting Commoditization
Commoditization is a big, handwringing topic that conjures up any number of nuisances in the path of what should be an enjoyable professional practice. Read full »
8 to 5 Office Time No Longer Applies
One afternoon early in my career, I was in my office when I noticed one of my direct reports coming back from lunch around 2:30 p.m. As I approached, I noticed he had been to the barber. Read full »
Redesign Your Profits: Value-Based Fee Structure
A brutal fact of reality for architecture and engineering firms is that prevailing pricing and compensation methods—setting fees on the basis of direct labor cost (whether selling hours on a... Read full »
Why the Future Won't Need Today's Architects
What’s next for successful architecture, engineering, and design practices? This is the question we will explore more deeply in the upcoming months in DesignIntelligence. Read full »
2010: A Year of Convalescence
The 25 most significant trends transforming architecture and design can offer sustenance during a painfully slow recovery. Read full »
9.11: In Disaster's Wake
The sudden destruction of the nation's financial center will wreak havoc on the nation's design firms in a number of ways, many yet to be discovered. Read full »
Design Workshop Symposia
Design Workshop holds quarterly design symposia that allow for collaborative project reviews across seven offices, bringing together the range of disciplines from architecture and landscape... Read full »
Effective Compensation is a Strategic Asset
Effective design firm compensation plans reinforce the unique vision and goals of each organization and serve to align and motivate people to focus their energy in a common and consistent manner. Read full »
Fairness and Transparency Are Essential
The way employees feel about their compensation isn’t just about the numbers. Perceptions of pay equity play a huge role in terms of satisfaction. Read full »
How Deep? How Long? Managing in Turbulent Times
Since the stock market's all-time high in October 2007, Wall Street has seen $8.4 trillion of equity evaporate. Credit markets are in disarray. Read full »
Planning for Trouble
Hurricane, flood, fire — you don’t even want to think about the impact that such worst-case scenarios could have on your business. Read full »
Integrating Project Management and Design
The skills of project management and design are not natural allies. But design firms should and can cultivate project management and design as integrated components of project delivery. Read full »
A Process to Build High-Performance Teams
Six characteristics are present in teams that are able to achieve exceptional results. Read full »
New Measure of Success
By taking into account whole building performance, our designs can offer structures that are more sustainable, more satisfying to clients, and longer lasting. The trick is measuring performance. Read full »
From Mylar to Digital Models
HOK is finding that building information modeling and integrated project delivery make the firm more resilient and better able to deliver innovative services to clients. Read full »
Just How Expendable Are Design Professionals?
There is power in understanding new knowledge and in making the future your friend. There is satisfaction in confronting the forces that can create an immunity to change. Read full »
Make No Mistake: Technology Offers Clues
Don’t fear failure; embrace its lessons. We are challenged by a shifting industry, but technology will help us map what’s ahead. Read full »
If You're Not Online, You're Behind
If you thought online networking venues such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter were just for fun, think again. They are essential tools for building a firm’s reputation. Read full »
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