Facebook’s Carolyn Everson @CEverson Responds To Tough Questions At Feliciano Center Fireside Chat @BizFeliciano #NJTech #NJBiz #MBA #Facebook #ilmaBlog
Posted: April 17, 2019 Filed under: Executive MBA, Leadership, Science & Technology | Tags: Business, eMBA, Facebook, Leadership, MBA, Montclair State University, New Jersey, NJ, Tech Leave a commentOn April 9, 2019, Carolyn Everson the VP, Global Marketing Solutions, at Facebook joined us at Montclair State University to discuss her role at Facebook, and her career path that includes stints at Microsoft, Viacom and other companies. The event took place at University Hall Conference Center, 7th Floor (Click here for event information).
The following is an article written by Esther Surden and Frank Cunha III for NJ Tech Weekly.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
We would love to hear from you about what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
Leadership Series: Live Your Passion #ilmaBlog #fc3Leadership #Leadership #Passion #DiscoverYourPurpose #LiveYourPassion
Posted: March 22, 2019 Filed under: Leadership | Tags: Business, Discover Your Passion, Discover Your Purpose, Find Your Passion, Find Your Purpose, LEAD, Leadership, Live Your Passion, Success Leader Leave a comment
Leadership Series: Living Your Passion
Presented by: Frank Cunha III on behalf of the Montclair State University Center for Leadership Development (Spring 2019)
This 50-minute presentation will be a discussion on why it is important to live your passion and follow your dreams. I will use my experience as a leader in my field to encourage the audience to make choices that will enhance their lives. I will discuss the importance of using metrics and guiding values in making life choices that will define who we are and who we are destined to become. I will draw on my personal experience to encourage the audience to follow their dreams and succeed in life by choosing a path that may not always be easy but will always be rewarding. We will be discussing how we can lead through a life of service and dedication to our passion.
Outcomes for participants:
- Discover that success often follows passion
- Discover your gifts and talents
- The sooner you discover your life’s purpose the sooner you can start living your dreams
- Passion will help you follow your dreams through difficult challenges
- Success can be measured in different ways – time, people, money
- Discover the virtues of integrity and honesty in your professional life
- Understanding courage and earning respect
- Life is not meant to be easy, but it is meant to be fulfilling
- Serving people by tapping into your passion
Brainstorm Questions to Help You Discover Your Passion and Purpose in Life:
- What do you love to do?
- What would you do even if you were not getting paid?
- What comes easily to you?
- What are two qualities I most enjoy expressing in the world?
- What are two ways I most enjoy expressing these qualities?
- Make a list of all the times you’ve felt the greatest joy in your life.
- When have I felt most fulfilled?
- What am I naturally good at?
- How could I apply my talents creatively?
- What makes me feel good about myself?
- What do I fear that excites me?
- What activities allow me to be creative?
- What causes am I interested in?
- What do I enjoy reading about?
- What do I love talking about?
- What would I regret not having tried?
- What would I love to teach others about?
- What help or advice do others often seek out from me?
- What am I most grateful for?
- What would I do for free for the rest of my life?
- What kind of life do I want to live?
- What do I want to be known for?
- How do I define success?
- What is my real passion?
5 Lessons Learned From Interviewing And Learning From People Who Are Doing Work They Love.
By Jessica Semaan (Founder, www.thepassion.co)
We’re all gifted with a set of talents and interests that tell us what we’re supposed to be doing. Once you know what your life purpose is, organize all of your activities around it. Everything you do should be an expression of your purpose. If an activity or goal doesn’t fit that formula, don’t work on it.
Practice Your Fears
Afraid of rejection? Lack of structure? Uncertainty? Practice it. We found that the secret to successfully transitioning to doing what you love is to build a thick skin.
Create Your Own Board
Support is a necessary part of pursuing your passions. Surround yourself with people that inspire you and want to help you. I have seen those who have chosen a “board of supporters” to be the most successful. Pick three or four people: an expert in the space you are interested in, two people pursuing similar passions and a close friend who knows you well and you can reach out to them throughout the process. Most importantly be sure you are on this board too, supporting yourself throughout the journey.
Simplify
Doing work you love can oftentimes mean less money in the bank in the short to medium term. Be prepared to simplify your life. Think cooking at home with friends over expensive dinners; buy one less new outfit. I found that this part of the experience is the most gratifying: it pushes you to become resourceful and creative and you realize that the pleasures of life are rarely related to money.
Be Patient
They say do what you love and the rest will follow. I say do what you love with persistence and the rest will follow. When you’re following your passions, unexpected doors will open to you. With more clarity, you are more likely to spot opportunities that will lead to your success. Just keep believing, especially in moments when you feel stuck, overwhelmed or don’t see tangible results.
A palliative nurse recorded the most common regrets and put her findings into a book called “The Top Five Regrets of The Dying.” The #1 regret of the dying was: “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself and instead lived the life that others expected of me”
Don’t wait till your deathbed to live the life that you want and do work you love. Start small and start now.
What is one small step you can take towards one of your passions today? If you are unsure about your passion, what is one interest you have that you can test out on the side?
“True desire in the heart for anything good is God’s proof to you sent beforehand to indicate that it’s yours already. So the desire you have, that itch that you have to be whatever it is you want to be … that itch, that desire for good is God’s proof to you sent already to indicate that it’s yours. You already have it. Claim it.” –Denzel Washington
Developed by Chris and Janet Attwood, The Passion Test is a simple, yet elegant, process. You start by filling in the blank 15 times for the following statement: “When my life is ideal, I am ___.” The word(s) you choose to fill in the blank must be a verb.
“What should I do with my life?” “What is my passion?” or “What is my life purpose.”
- PASSION AS AN ENGINE FOR SUCCESS
- Living a life of passion motivates and gets you excited about what you do
- Living a life of passion helps you face challenges
- DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS & TALENTS
- How can I discover what I am passionate about?
- Creating a network of
advisors – They can help you see things you cannot see
- Even CEO’s have coaches and mentors
- HOW DOES PASSION LEAD TO SUCCESS?
- Living a life of passion informs what you do with your life
- Passion gives you drive, clarity and focus
- HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?
- Time for yourself and time for love ones
- Connecting with people, socially, professionally, and personally
- Experiences (Traveling)
- Hobbies: Fitness, Reading, Museums, Sports
- How much money you make, compensation/benefits
- Security
- LIVING A PASSIONATE & VIRTUOUS LIFE
- Honesty, Integrity, Courage,
Persistence, Loyalty, Respect for self and others
- These virtues and values help guide your decisions
- Honesty, Integrity, Courage,
Persistence, Loyalty, Respect for self and others
- SERVING PEOPLE BY UTILIZING YOUR PASSION
- Living a life of passion helps you serve others by filling a need
- Makes you feel like your life has purpose and meaning and gives you a reason to wake up excited to start your day
- USING YOUR PASSION TO BECOME UNSTUCK
- When life offers you a choice, you can use your passion to help you make a decision
- Be ready for when life offers you an opportunity
Contact Information:
Frank Cunha III, University Architect at Montclair State University
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fc3arch
Website: https://www.frankcunha.com
Blog: https://ilovemyarchitect.com
Email: fc3arch@gmail.com
We would love to hear from you about what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
What About Public Private Partnerships? #ilmaBlog #HigherEducation #P3 #PPP #University #Architect
Posted: March 22, 2019 Filed under: Architecture, Campus Planning & Design, Education, Higher Education - Architecture & Design, University | Tags: Architect, Architecture, Assets, Budgeting, Business, College, Construction, Delivery Methods, Delivery Models, Design, Developer, Education, Expertise, Facilities, Finance, Higher Education, MBA, P3, Partnership, Private, project management, Public Sector, Risk Management, Strategic Partnerships, Student Housing, Turn Key, Turn Key operation, University Architect Leave a comment
Background on Public Private Partnerships (P3’s):
Many institutions of higher education are facing mounting pressure on their mission to deliver high-quality, affordable education to students and perform world-class research. Reductions in public funding support and concerns about overall affordability present substantial near-term and longer-term budget challenges for many institutions.
Public institutions are predominantly affected, having been constrained by suspensions or reductions in state funding. State appropriations across the US grew by just 0.5% annually between 2005 and 2015. State funding has still not recovered to 2008 levels, the last year in which state funding decisions would not have been affected by the Great Recession.
(Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — state appropriations revenue divided by total fall enrollment, 2005–15)
Public-private partnership models are continuing to proliferate as cash-strapped colleges and universities seek to replace or update aging and outdated infrastructure amid tight finances.
(Source: Proliferating Partnerships)
What is the P3 Delivery Model?
A public-private partnership, or P3, is long-term agreement between a public entity and a private industry team that is tasked with designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining a public facility. The past decade has seen a steady increase in the use of P3 structures, both inside and outside higher education. In 2016, something of a watershed year for P3, multiple high-profile projects came online in response to a variety of public needs, including a $1-billion-plus water infrastructure project servicing San Antonio, and a $300-million-plus renovation of the Denver International Airport’s Great Hall.
(Source: A Few Lessons About Public-Private Partnerships)
“Public” is a non-profit institutional or governmental entity that engages a “private” for-profit entity to pay for a particular project.
The “private” partner provides funding (and often expertise) to deliver (and often operate) the project used by the “public” entity to meet its purposes.
In return for its capital, the “private” entity gets a revenue flow from the asset it has paid for.
(Source: Should your University enter into a Public/Private Partnership – the Pro’s and Con’s)
The emergence of the P3 option is happening where it matters most: projects that would be otherwise unattainable under the traditional public-improvement delivery models. For instance, 10 years ago, only a handful of higher education P3 projects were up and running; today, we are approaching three dozen such projects.
The biggest challenge is, of course, the financing component, but P3 teams bring much more to the table than money — they give public entities access to expertise and innovation that can add significant value to projects at each phase of development.
(Source: A Few Lessons About Public-Private Partnerships)
Illustration of Institutional Functions
Motivations for P3 transactions vary widely, but include:
- Supplementing traditional debt instruments. These include private capital, using off balance sheet or alternative mechanisms.
- Transfer of risk. Historically, universities have born all or most of the risk of facilities-related projects themselves. A P3 is a way to either transfer or at least share the risk.
- Speed and efficiency. A P3 allows for a faster development process, and time to completion is generally shorter and on schedule. The sole focus of the private entity is to complete the project on budget and on time. University infrastructure tends to have competing priorities across all-campus facility needs.
- Outsourcing provision of non-core assets. Outsourcing allows institutions to focus investment of internal resources and capabilities on those functions that are closer to the academic needs of its students.
- Experience. Private partners often have much more experience and skills in a particular development area (e.g., facility architecture and infrastructure, student housing needs) and are able to better accommodate the needs of students, faculty, administrators, etc.
- Planning and budgeting. Private partners offer experience and know-how in long-term maintenance planning and whole life cycle budgeting.
(Source: Public-private partnerships in higher education What is right for your institution?)
The four types of P3s:
- Operating contract/management agreement. Short- to medium-term contract with private firm for operating services
- Ground lease/facility lease. Long-term lease with private developer who commits to construct, operate and maintain the project
- Availability payment concession. Long-term concession with private developer to construct, operate, maintain and finance the project in exchange for annual payments subject to abatement for nonperformance
- Demand-risk concession. Long-term concession with private developer to construct, operate, maintain and finance the project in exchange for rights to collect revenues related to the project
Pro’s and Con’s of P3’s:
Since their emergence in student housing several years ago, P3s have become important strategies for higher education institutions because of the many benefits they offer, including:
- Lower developer costs
- Developer expertise
- Operational expertise
- Access to capital
- Preservation of debt capacity
- More favorable balance sheets and credit statements
- Risk mitigation
- Faster procurement and project delivery (It can typically take a university about 5 years to get a project built. With a P3, that process can be reduced to just 2 years. Additionally, P3s can save approximately 25% in costs compared to typical projects.)
Beyond the above, the indirect advantages of P3s in student housing are numerous, such as they:
- Provide better housing for students
- Expand campus capacity
- Create high-quality facilities
- Expand the tax base for both a city and county
- Provide an economic boost to surrounding areas, which likely lead to private growth and other improvements
It is important to note that, while there are many benefits of P3s for higher education institutions, these agreements also have disadvantages that need to be considered, including:
- High cost of capital
- Reduced control for the university
- Complexity of deals
- Multi-party roles and responsibilities
- Limitation on future university development
(Source: Student Housing A Hot Sector For Public-Private Partnerships)

A LOOK AHEAD
Where Are We Heading?
- More political involvement and pressure to consider P3
- Pre-development Risks – Many projects failing to close
- Issues with Construction Pricing & Labor Shortages
- An increasing number of developers are getting in the on-campus business; however, developers are being more strategic on which projects/procurements to respond to
- Exploration of other sources of funds like tax credits, USDA, and opportunity zones
- Shared governance continues to grow
- Larger, more complex P3 projects including long term concessions, availability payment models, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Bundling of Procurements (food, housing (including faculty), academic buildings, hotel, energy, facility maintenance, etc.)
Further Reading:
- State of the P3 Higher Education Industry by Brailsford & Dunlavey http://programmanagers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/P3-State-of-the-Industry-Final_Small.pdf
- Should your University enter into a Public/Private Partnership – the Pro’s and Con’s https://edualliancegroup.blog/2017/06/26/should-your-university-enter-into-a-publicprivate-partnership-the-pros-and-cons
- No Free Lunch: The Pros and Cons of Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Financing https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2017/02/09/no-free-lunch-the-pros-and-cons-of-public-private-partnerships-for-infrastructure-financing
We would love to hear from you about what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
12 Rules For Architects Using Aspire Project Management Techniques #ilmaBlog #PM #Management #Business #Architecture
Posted: December 21, 2018 Filed under: Architecture | Tags: #ilmaBlog #PM #Management #Business #Architecture, Architect, Architecture, Business, ILMA, project management Leave a comment
- Customer Satisfaction: Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable design solutions.Embrace Changes: Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage.
- Embrace the Process: Deliver working design solutions frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
- Embrace Teamwork: The design team must work together daily throughout the project.
- Support Enthusiasm: Design projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.
- Face-to-Face is First: The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a design team is face-to-face conversation.
- How Do We Measure Progress: Effective, efficient and elegant design solutions are the primary measure of progress.
- Less Is More: Simplicity — the art of maximizing leaving stuff out — is essential. Agile processes promote sustainable development.
- Allow for Flexibility: The best design solutions emerge from self-organizing design teams.
- Execute, Monitor, Adjust: At regular intervals, the design team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.
- God Is In The Details: Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
We would love to hear from you about what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends.
Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
History, Revolution, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Architecture Featuring @DuoDickinson via @EntreArchitect [Updated]
Posted: August 9, 2018 Filed under: Architecture, Design, More FC3 | Tags: Architect, Architecture of the Future, Artificial Intelligence, Business, EntreArchitect, Firm, Future, Future of Architecture, Practice, Technology Leave a commentFREE DOWNLOAD AUDIO – Part 1
FREE DOWNLOAD AUDIO – Part 2
(Source: https://entrearchitect.com/podcast/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-architecture and https://entrearchitect.com/podcast/history-revolution-future-architecture/)
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
Frans Johansson: “Act & Collaborate to Drive Change”
Posted: March 18, 2018 Filed under: Design, Design Thinking, More FC3 | Tags: ANTS & TRUCK DRIVERS, BURKINI, Business, Combinations, entrepreneurs, Execute, Frans Johansson, ICE & BEDS, Ideas, Innovation, Medici Effect, Technology, TERMITES & ARCHITECTURE, Wikipedia, Zara 1 CommentFrans Johansson is an innovation expert and author of The Medici Effect. As CEO of The Medici Group, he leads a team which helps clients improve their innovation efforts through an approach they call Intersectional Thinking.
In the following video Frans Johansson illustrates how relentless trial-and-error – coming up with an idea, executing it on a small scale, and then refining it – is THE distinguishing characteristic of the greatest artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Why? Because humans are not very good at predicting which ideas are going to be a success. Thus, nearly every major breakthrough innovation has been preceded by a string of failed or misguided executions. So, as Frans says quoting Churchill, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
The idea for the book “The Medici Effect” is based on intersection. The best way to come up with groundbreaking ideas is to combine very different ideas – like termites and architecture; ice and beds; and bikinis and burqas. Diversity drives innovation.
What Drives Innovation?
We innovate best when we connect with others and share new ideas/perspectives. The key is to connect across our differences.
Technology increasingly drives new operational and business models.
He created a magazine “Catalyst” to bring stuff together, started a software company that “went really well until it didn’t.”.
He investigates how intersections lead to innovations.
We have the best chance to innovate when we connect across our differences.
Innovation is important because the world is changing very quickly.
Example: Spanish fashion company Zara can go from design to selling a dress across the world in 7 days.
A more sobering example; only 68% of recent law school graduates are working in a job that requires a J.D.
Yet our ability to innovate constricts as our firms get larger. Innovation tends to come from newcomers, upstarts.
One reason is that we tend to use logic as the only guidance for reaching success. For instance, Audi and Volvo might both to decide to address their minor deficiencies, then end up with cars that look quite similar.
Why is it Necessary to Innovate Quickly?
If you want to keep your competitive advantage, you have to keep innovating because there has been a stunning drop in the amount of time it takes for your competitors to catch up with you.
Why is it so Hard to Innovate?
Because change is difficult and intimidating, we tend to settle for tweaking things around the edges rather than making a comprehensive change. The impact of this is adding more widgets to a Yahoo search engine until the clutter is overcome by the spare and elegant design of a Google search engine.
New Ideas Are Combinations of Other
Johansson proposes that all new ideas are combinations of existing ideas. But not all combinations of ideas are created equal.
Working Understanding
Most truly stunning innovations result from combination two different ideas. The greater the number of ideas that you generate and implement, the greater your chance of a breakthrough. You need to try many things because humans are very bad at predicting what will work. The key is to keep trying until you perfect your execution. When your first idea doesn’t work, you have to try again. Diverse teams can unleash an explosion of new ideas. You end up with an exponential increase in new ideas that leads to more opportunities for innovation.
Create the Environment Necessary to Foster Innovation
We can help organize our firms to foster innovation. This ranges from seating people within your department in such a way that they can’t help be exposed to new ideas and new ways of working. Individually, you also can ensure that you personally make connections with people within the firm who are in different disciplines or from different backgrounds or have different interests.
Don’t Give Up! Innovators Fail More Often
We are horrible at predicting what will work. We don’t often hear the tales of the bad ideas only the heroic ending of how someone became successful with their one brilliant idea and how they were able to envision a new future and make that future a reality.
What is the Most Effective Way to Execute?
Directional ideas often are executed in step-by-step fashion. More innovative ideas can take longer and get developed less directly.
We use up energy, money, and reputation in getting to a goal. So start by taking the first step; an easy manageable step.
Start with a good idea. And then act on it. Johansson calls this the “smallest executable step.” It’s not about going directly to the desired Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Rather, execute the first step; adjust based on results; execute again. The key is to iterate your way to success.
Some examples provided by Johansson:
ANTS & TRUCK DRIVERS
The example of ants and truck drivers, which I talk about in one of the chapters. So there is this telecommunications engineer that has been is trying to figure out how to efficiently route telecom messages through a haphazard routing system. And one day the communications engineer met an ecologist, who studies social insects, like wasps and ants. And they started talking, and the ecologist described how ants search for food. As it turned out, the ant’s search strategy turned out to be very applicable to the routing of telecom message packets. Once the engineer realized this, he decided to explore this particular intersection between ant ecology and computer search algorithms, so he spent three years looking at the connection between the way social insects behave and the way you can use computers to optimize particular types of search algorithms. And that has now lead to an entirely new field called swarm intelligence, which essentially came out of the intersection of the study of social insects and computer search algorithms. This methodology has been used in everything from helping truck drivers find their way around the Swiss Alps to helping unmanned aerial vehicles search for terrorists in Afghanistan.
TERMITES & ARCHITECTURE
A man was commissioned to build the largest office building complex in Harare, Zimbabwe without air conditioning.
He did it by combining the ideas of architecture and termite houses.
Termite houses open and close vents to regulate heat and cold. He combined ideas from these two fields to break new ground and build an energy efficient office complex that was able to maintain a comfortable temperature.
BURKINI
At the intersections of different ideas and cultures, the Medici effect happens.
For example, if you wanted to come up with a new, creative idea for swimwear, usually you would combine swimwear with the beach. But what if you combined swimwear with the idea of a burqa?
A lady moved to Australia where the normal female swimwear was bikinis. Many traditional Moslem women go swimming in their burqas. She combined the ideas of bikinis and burqas – and made a burqa out of bikini material.
After the fact, an innovative idea seems somewhat obvious.
People that change the world try far more ideas than others because we are horrible at predicting what ideas will work. Einstein published over 240 papers, many of which not a single person referenced. Google has launched hundreds of products. Picasso painted lots of paintings to figure out what paintings did work.
To be successful, you have to take this notion into account – that you won’t always be successful.
WIKIPEDIA
Take Wikipedia, for example. We may have thought – is that even possible? Creating Wikipedia takes understanding the altruistic nature of people and understanding the Internet. Before he launched
Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales launched Newspedia and asked experts to contribute to it. After six months, there were only twenty posts. Jimmy’s new idea was to allow anyone to make posts. Wikipedia has been one of the most successful Internet projects. Jimmy Wales kept trying.
How does this play out? Maybe you have an idea. Often from an idea you create a large goal and then you use 100% of your resources (your money and your reputation) to reach it. After all that work and effort, you now realize how you should have done it. You realize what would have been a better goal or a better way to do it.
ICE & BEDS
For example, a guy in northern Sweden saw a future with the cold and snow. He combined the idea of ice with a hotel. He created a hotel made out of ice. Everything is made out of ice – the beds, walls, tables, etc. It is one of Sweden’s largest tourist attractions. He realized he could do something no one else could do. But it didn’t start with The Ice Hotel.
First, he had an idea to “sell” the winter. His first idea was to fly in some ice sculptures from Japan. He had an ice exhibition. It wasn’t successful because the ice melted.
Next, he tried a snow gallery and had paintings hung in an ice building.
Then he created an event hall with everything made out of ice, including a movie screen. A few backpackers who saw it said they would like to sleep on a bed made of ice. He made a bed of ice and they loved it.
Then he created The Ice Hotel. Within weeks Newsweek named it one of the ten coolest hotels in the world.
Source: Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
CONCLUSION
You have to start with an idea – a step.
Take your first step to change the world. The best way to come up with this idea is at the intersection of different cultures and ideas. Figure out something you can do and make it happen. The world is connected – there is somebody making those connections and it should be YOU!
Source: Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
Source: The Medici Effect
Source: The Medici Effect
References & Sources:
Frans Johansson Keynote #ILTA12 David Hobbie
Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
Frans Johansson Keynote #ILTA12 VMaryAbraham
How do people get more creative?
An Interview with Frans Johansson: The Medici Effect
Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
Our Exclusive ILMA Interview with Enoch Sears @BusinessofArch
Posted: December 17, 2017 Filed under: ILMA Interview | Tags: Architect, Blog, Business, Business of Architecture, Design, Enoch, Exclusive, ILMA, Interview, Kahn, Podcast 1 CommentEnoch Sears is a licensed California architect, and author of the book Social Media for Architects. After struggling to find good business information for small firm architects online, Enoch started the Business of Architecture platform – an online community which has helped hundreds of architects earn a better income and time freedom through good business skills.
He is also the creator and host of the #1 interview podcast for architects, the Business of Architecture Show, where guests like M. Arthur Gensler, founder of Gensler, and Thom Mayne, of Morphosis, share tips and strategies for success in architecture.
You can find out more about about Enoch by visiting his LinkedIn profile or by looking him up on Twitter: @BusinessofArch
![ILMA-Enoch Sears-Kahn-09 Exterior Camera: DCS560C Serial #: K560C-01195 Width: 3040 Height: 2008 Date: 12/30/01 Time: 15:53:17 DCS5XX Image FW Ver: 3.2.3 TIFF Image Look: Product Sharpening Requested: Yes Counter: [5619] ISO Speed: 80 Aperture: f18 Shutter: 1/400 Max Aperture: f4.5 Min Aperture: f29 Exposure Mode: Shutter priority AE (Tv) Compensation: -0.7 Flash Compensation: -1.3 Meter Mode: Partial Flash Mode: No flash Drive Mode: Single Focus Mode: AI Servo Focus Point: --o-- Focal Length (mm): 140 White balance: Preset (Flash) Time: 15:53:17.417](https://fc3arch.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/ilma-enoch-sears-kahn-09-exterior.jpg?w=192&h=192&crop=1)
ILMA INTERVIEW
When and why did you decide to become an Architect?
I decided to become an Architect my senior year in high school when I realized I loved drawing but actually wanted to earn some money. I mistakenly thought that architects did both.
What were some of the challenges of achieving your dream?
Getting through architecture school at Cornell University was a challenge. The professors and curriculum were great, but the winters were cold and dark, and I didn’t understand a lot of the theory at the time.
Any memorable clients or project highlights?
One thing I love about architecture is helping clients achieve their dream. In this way, every project is memorable because I remember the clients we did the work for.
How does your family support what you do?
They do support what I do! I’ve actually moved out of architecture full time and now I run the Architect Business Institute and Architect Marketing Institute
How do Architects measure success?
It is different for each person. For me, success is continual growth and contribution.
What matters most to you in design?
What do you hope to achieve over the next 2 years? 5 years?
I hope to continue to develop Business of Architecture so that every architect is empowered with the business knowledge he or she needs to succeed.
Who is your favorite Architect? Why?
I love the work of Louis Kahn and Le Corbusier for their use of raw materials and dramatic, honest spaces.
What is your favorite historic and modern (contemporary) project? Why?
My current favorite modern project is the Kimbell Art Museum in Dallas, Texas by Louis Kahn. See my response above about my favorite architect.
Where do you see the profession going over the next few decades?
Architecture will continue to get more competitive and consolidated – only architects and firms who invest in growing their firms and influence will grow during this time.
How do you hope to inspire / mentor the next generation of Architects?
I hope that through my work on the Business of Architecture, architects can learn to win great projects and make the income of their dreams!
What advice do you have for a future Executive leader?
The most important advice I can give is to learn how to coach people to their full potential. Give them responsibilities and let them fail (on things that won’t get you sued).
Final Thoughts on How to Be Successful?
Commit yourself to continual growth and improvement, and the future is yours! Always be learning!
For more exclusive ILMA interviews click here.
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
Christmas Gift Ideas from ILMA
Wall Street Journal Headlines – October 6, 2017 by @FrankCunhaIII
Posted: October 6, 2017 Filed under: Executive MBA, More FC3 | Tags: Architect, Biz, Business, MBA, Montclair State University, News, student, Tech, Technology, Update, Wall Street, Wall Street Journal, WSJ Leave a comment- Russian Hackers Steal NSA Spy Secrets
- US Shale Companies Ease Up on Drilling
- End year at 9.69 million barrels a day, down from 9.82
- Amazon.com
- Hiring 50,000 office workers, mostly software developers
- Illegal Entry to US Gets Rarer, Riskier
- President’s harder line, longer-term trends make SW border tougher to sneak across
- Price Pressures for Renters Begins to Ease Down
- Those that spend more than 30% of incomes on rent
- Fell from 48.9% to 47.7% between 2012 and 2015
- Iraq Drives ISIS From Stronghold
- Turkey Arrests US Consulate Worker
- Saudis, Russia Get Closer
- NATO to Increase Funding for Counterterror Programs
- Catalan Parliament Session Blocked
- Prospects for a Gun – Measure Deal Grow
- Legislation restricting rifle accessory used in L.V. gunman draws GOP support
- Columbia Sets $100M to Diversify Faculty
- Ishiguro’s Quiet Power Claims the Nobel Prize
- Opinion – Why America Needs Tax Reform
- Trump needs to stress the growth payoff and rebut falsehoods from critics at the Tax Policy Center.
- Finge Clips Rank High on YouTube
- Google looking to promote more reliable content
- Uber Steers Steadier Course
- Forget bitcoin, IMFcoin could be the digital future of SDRs
- IMF – International Monetary Fund
- SDR – Special Drawing Rights (ISO 4217currency code XDR, also abbreviated SDR) are supplementary foreign-exchange reserve assets defined and maintained by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The XDR is the unit of account for the IMF, and is not a currency per se.
- Ship Building Alliance to Target Asia
- SpaceX Aims to Launch at Fast Pace
- Planning 30 launches next year (50% of total)
- There are about 60 launches each year
- Netflix Raises Prices as Content Tab Balloons
- Honeywell Pursues Purchase of Evoqua
- Honeywell International Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate company that produces a variety of commercial and consumer products, engineering services and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments. The company operates four business units, known as Strategic Business Units – Honeywell Aerospace, Home and Building Technologies (HBT), Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS), and Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies.
- Evoqua is the global leader in helping municipalities and industrial customers protect and improve the world’s most fundamental natural resource: water. We have a more than 100-year heritage of innovation and industry firsts, market-leading expertise, and unmatched customer service. Our cost-effective and reliable treatment systems and services ensure uninterrupted quantity and quality of water, enable regulatory and environmental compliance, increase efficiency through water reuse, and prepare customers for next-generation demands.
- Nostalgic Beef Slogan Makes Cut
- “It’s What’s For Dinner” Slogan
- Beef consumption in the US declined 15% in the decade through 2015
- Facebook Cut Russia from Report on Election
- FB under fire for playing down role of influence campaigns
- Equifax timeline Criticized
- New Federal Rule Clamps Down on Payday Loans
- OPEC Pushes Russia to Stick to Plan
- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is a group consisting of 12 of the world’s major oil-exporting nations.
- OPEC was founded in 1960 to coordinate the petroleum policies of its members, and to provide member states with technical and economic aid.
- Treasury Yields Climb to 3-Month High
- Financial, Tech Stocks Fuel Rally
- Data Center Firm “Switch” Prices IPO Above Range, Raises $531 Million
- Switch Inc.
- Pricing is latest sign of strengthening in tech initial public offering space.
- The data-center company that powers businesses of Amazon.com Inc., eBay Inc. and other tech companies is the latest to cash in on a renewed interest among investors in technology IPOs.
- After pricing above the $14-to-$16 range it initially outlined to investors, Las Vegas-based Switch Inc.’s initial public offering raised roughly $531 million Thursday, excluding shares allotted to underwriters.
- Shares sold at $17 apiece, valuing the company at roughly $4.2 billion.
- NASDAQ
- IPO Price
- Gold Loses Luster as Global Angst Eases
- Bad Timing for Monte Dei Paschi
- Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena
- Known as BMPS or just MPS is the oldest surviving bank in the world and the third largest Italian commercial and retail bank by total assets.
- BMPS and Banco BPM, Banco BPM overtook BMPS as the third largest bank in terms of total assets on 31 December 2016. Since the end of 2016, BMPS has been struggling to avoid a collapse.
- Founded in 1472 (545 years ago) by the magistrates of the city state of Siena, Italy, as a “mount of piety”, it has been operating ever since. In 1995 the bank, then known as Monte dei Paschi di Siena, was transformed from a statutory corporation to a limited company called Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (Banca MPS).
- The Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena was created to continue the charitable functions of the bank and to be, until the bailout in 2013, its largest single shareholder.
- Today Banca MPS has approximately 2,000 branches, 26,000 employees and 5.1 million customers in Italy, as well as branches and businesses abroad. A subsidiary, MPS Capital Services, handles corporate and investment banking.
- This Market Bubble Isn’t Everything It Appears to Be
- 5 Biggest Bubbles
- Real estate
- Cryptocurrencies
- Stocks
- Credit Bubble
- Indexing
- 5 Biggest Bubbles
What sets one construction company apart from another?
Posted: November 24, 2013 Filed under: Architecture | Tags: Architect, Architecture, Australia, Blog, Builder, Business, Contractor, marketing 3 CommentsGuest post by Sarah Grey
What sets one construction company apart from another?
With so many builders competing for your construction contract, finding the right one for your job
can be a real challenge, especially if you don’t have any direct experience in construction. From
the perspective of a professional Architect, here are some things to look out for when comparing
partners for your next big project.
A strong commitment to budget
Budget overruns are so frequent in the construction industry that they’ve almost become
a standard expectation, particularly when it comes to large commercial and civil projects.
Whilst there will always be unpredictable factors that can blow out your construction time, it’s
not unreasonable to expect that the final cost will be within 5-10% of your original contract.
Reputable construction companies will provide guaranteed fixed price contracts so you can rest
assured that your project will stay on budget.
Awards, but not just any awards…
Every industry has their own respected body that recognises and rewards industry leaders. By
the same token, there are also plenty of less knowledgeable bodies who are only in the awards
business to promote their own business instead of the industry as a whole. In the Australian
building industry, HIA is the premier industry representative. If the builder you’re considering
can show off recent awards related to your specific project, you can be quite confident that they
know what they’re doing.
After care
The law can only go so far to protect you from dodgy workmanship. It’s worth spending more
of your budget to secure a builder that offers a more extensive warranty. Be sure to check the
details thoroughly, it’s not just about the length of time, it’s also about their process for arranging
repairs or replacement of material.
Local project management
A dedicated Project Manager who regularly visits your site and is always on call is an absolute
must. Don’t settle for anything less.
Favorable Reviews
The most reputable home builders are equally liked by their mum and dad clients as they are
by architect clients. Whilst industry colleagues can provide valuable recommendations, it’s
easy to forget that many home-owner/builders are eagerly sharing their own reviews of building
companies online. Browse building company reviews on product review websites to see if there
are any client horror stories waiting to be discovered.
Specialist knowledge
An increasing number of builders are now offering ‘design and build’ services to their direct
clients. While there’s no doubt that this service offering is an inferior substitute for a professional
architect, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid working with them. The greater the
understanding your builder has of the design process and of the latest developments, the easier
they will be to work with.
Sarah Grey is a Writer and Marketer who works for a home building company.
10 STEPS TO GETTING THINGS DONE: WHAT MY KIDS TAUGHT ME ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING
Posted: April 19, 2013 Filed under: Isms, More FC3, Uncategorized | Tags: Business, Family, family values, goals, husband, Inspiration, Kids, Leadership, Motivation, organizational, project management, Success, wife 5 CommentsI often compare working with adults to working with children. Here is a list of suggestions to getting something done, whether it is other colleagues at work or your kids at home.
Please share your comments and feedback below this post.
1. SHARE THE VISION
It’s never easy getting someone else to just “buy in” and do something — at least not unless there is some big reward at the end. So share your vision and get “buy in” from your team. If it is possible, allow the team to shape the vision of the project, task, or event.
2. MOTIVATION
Find out what motivates your team. My wife and I have been procrastinating about swapping out the kids play room with my office. By engaging my team (my kids) while my wife was out, I was able to have them help us jump start the small but arduous task ahead of us (since the two rooms are separated by two flights of stairs).
3. BREAKING DOWN A BIG TASK INTO SMALLER TASKS
Looking at all that needs to be completed is daunting, but when you break down the overall tasks into smaller, manageable tasks it appears doable. As things get done it is easy to keep the momentum going to complete the project and move on to the next one. Do not overwhelm the team — break down the activities into manageable tasks. Be realistic with the schedule to keep them motivated and on track.
4. FEEDBACK
Asking for and receiving continuous feedback helps the team see that their ideas matter. Integrating the team’s ideas into your overall project makes them feel vested in the project. It is easier to get things done when your entire team is on board with where things are headed. In my case, I asked my kids where they wanted to relocate some of the toy “stations” so they could be involved in the decision making process.
5. TAKE A BREAK
OK, playing “Rock, Paper, Scissors” and “Mickey Mouse Built a House, How Many Bricks Did He Use?” (throwbacks from when I was a kid), might not go over well at work. However, taking a break from a task will help recharge and refocus the team. Take this opportunity to encourage and bond with the team. Remind them of the vision.
6. TEAM BUILDING
Use the break to bond. Whether or not this project is as successful as you envisioned it to be it is a learning opportunity (try to “break the eggs” and learn on the smaller or less important tasks, if you have to). Having a solid team will help with the success of future projects. We can grow from our challenges and experience and learn to work with our strengths (and the strengths of our team).
7. ENCOURAGEMENT
Keep giving the team positive reinforcement (and yourself too). Telling the kids that mommy was going to be “so happy” when she saw what we had undertaken, kept the little troops motivated walking up and down those stairs carrying office supplies and toys on those countless trips up and down stairs.
8. OFFER REWARD
Ice cream after dinner worked in my case. Again, see what motivates the team and offer a reward. It doesn’t necessarily need to be money or a promotion. Something small like a gas card or tickets to the movie or ball game would be a nice token of appreciation for having your tea, finish the job. It makes them feel appreciated and keeps them focused on completing the tasks expeditiously.
9. NEXT PROJECT
Go back to the team and see what ideas they have for the next project. Also remember to ask what the best and worse parts of the project were so that the next project is even more successful. Make a list of “Lessons Learned” so you don’t forget!
10. MANAGEMENT & PASSING THE TORCH
If you can, avoid being a micro-manager; Next time be part of the team instead of being the leader. Let the others take the role of the committee chair, project managers, etc. What better way to teach leadership then to give someone else a turn to manage a project, task, or event? You can mentor each other (if you are willing to be reversed-mentored). They get a seasoned team member with a wealth of knowledge and experience. It’s a win-win for both and a fantastic way to build a strong, versatile team. It’s also humbling and a great way to see the project from the eyes of the guys in the trenches, which in turn, will make you a better leader for the next big thing.
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments.
If you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Frank Cunha III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
FC3 ARCHITECTURE+DESIGN, LLC
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