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WHAT's NEW?
May 16, 2012
Top 50 Professional Jobs in Canada
The April 30 issue of Canadian Business features a special report on careers ... "Where the Jobs Are". Researchers blended 3 factors to identify the top 50 professional jobs - 50% job growth, 40% median compensation, 10% change in compensation.
"If you already have one of these jobs you'll want to hold on to it like grim death, and start strategizing how you can rise through the ranks and maximize your earning potential. If you don't, and aren't thrilled with the one you do have, it may be time to consider a career change ..."
On the list ... architect (#3!!), mechanical engineer, construction manager, health and safety inspector, civil engineer, construction inspector, pipefitter, electrical engineer.
Architects saw the highest growth in demand since 2006. (Yet still complaining about low fees ... hmmm ... so what happened to that concept called supply and demand?)
The biggest salary increase has gone to ... librarians. Highest median wage ... pharmacists.
Read the full article in Canadian Business HERE
May 15, 2012
The Power of Prefab 2
April 5 in What's New? we profiled a mid-rise hotel built in China in 6 days through the power of prefabrication.
The architects and interns in Nova Scotia were amazed at a 30-storey hotel being built in 15 days.
Start to finish. High quality. Much-improved energy performance and air quality (important in China). High level earthquake resistance.
May 15, 2012
IMF Research Confirms Increasing Economic Inequality in U.S.
Two researchers at the International Monetary Fund have published research that appears to confirm that economic inequality has increased substantially in the U.S. over the past 40 years.
Remember the Occupy Movement?
The 5% vs. the 95%?
According to this research, the wealth of the 5%, as Occupy calls them, has increased substantially in U.S.
Meantime the 95% appears to have borrowed heavily to maintain a lifestyle.
This resulted in rapid growth of the financial sector, and increased vulnerability in the broader economy.
Cue the "Great Recession".
The research shows that the debt-to-income ratio in 1983 for the 5% of $.80 debt per dollar of income dropped by 2007 to $.65. The reverse happened for low- and middle-income earners with the ratio rising from $.60 to $1.40 in that same period.
How similar is our Canadian experience?
The authors offer two public policy solutions - structured debt reduction and increased wages for the 95%.
Both a political challenge!
But essential if we hope to avoid the next crisis!
Read the NY Times opinion piece, including a link to the published research HERE
May 14, 2012
Guidelines for Creative Thinking
Really? Isn't creativity genetic?
A recent article in Canadian Business lists a few guidelines for enhancing creative thinking. "Resist the urge to judge ideas immediately; rejecting them too soon in discouraging. Falling in love with ideas too early is also problematic; the firsst ideas are usually the least novel. Quantity of ideas is important; it's only after exhausting the obvious that people start thinking originally."
But the most provocative suggestion: alcohol plays a role. Researchers are thinking it impairs the attention span, allowing the mind to wander, which is "exactly the type of dynamic required for creative problem-solving. ... the ability to think freely and come up with many different solutions is key."
Hmmmmm.
Inspired Brian to pick up "Imagine - How Creativity Works" by Jonah Lehrer (author of How We Decide). Watch for his comments soon in What's Brian Reading.
May 13, 2012
Brian's 2nd ConEd Session in Halifax
See What's New? May 5 for the 1st Halifax Session on Professional Fees.
Brian invests a lot of his time tracking changes in the design/construction sector, identifying emerging opportunities (and new risks!), then helping his clients develop strategies to profit from all of it.
He shared a lot of that information with 100 Nova Scotia architects and interns in late April.
Brian opened with discussion emphasizing why carefully-designed strategies and business plans are critical to the success and sustainability of every business, including professional service firms like architects.
He then went on to discuss a long list of trends and factors that drive the development of successful strategies, things like:
- sustainable design and growing interest in the market in all things "green"
- demographics - impact on demand for, and supply of, architectural services
- owners and clients increasingly attempting to transfer their risks to others, including contractors and architects
- new forms of procurement and delivery like Public Private Partnerships and Integrated Project Delivery being used to address the infrastructure deficit
- an increasing trend seeing design consultants broaden their Unique Selling Proposition, delivering greater value to clients by transforming to Professional Service Firms
- the need for more R and D
- continued consolidation and growing diversification in the industry
- and many more!
Brian closed talking about Lean Project Delivery (LPD), which is just starting to appear "over the horizon" in the U.S. LPD builds on Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) by applying the principles of Lean Manufacturing (think Toyota) to the design and construction of buildings.
LPD is already demonstrating schedule savings of 20-30% and cost savings of 10-20%. Better quality. Improved safety. It's truly a win-win-win approach for the project and the team.
LPD and IPD require expert facilitation of the project team ... and guess what? Brian is positioning Strategies 4 Impact! to offer that service in Canada through an alliance with a U.S. consultant with extensive experience in both.
See Brian's PowerPoint deck from this session HERE
May 11, 2012
Picasso at the Art Gallery of Ontario
If you happen to be in the Toronto area before August 26, you might want to check out the Picasso Exhibit at the AGO.
Fantastic!
The Picasso Museum in Paris is closed for renovations so they're touring about 147 of his personal favourites to Toronto.
Very well curated, chronological. One of the interesting things about Picasso is he could seamlessly shift his style. The exhibit talks about his Blue and Rose periods. The influence of African masks pointing ahead to Cubism and collage, then classicism. Surrealism. And his famous war paintings. But watch how he shifts from cubism to realism with the same subjects, for example.
Fascinating.
Also hadn't realized how accomplished a sculptor he was.
Even if you're not a fan (yet?) it's worth the visit. See what Globe and Mail Culture Columnist Russell Smith has to say in "Why I Don't Like Picasso".
He's still going -"enthusiastically".
May 10, 2012
Ontario Study to Compare Alternative Methods for Delivering Infrastructure
The Ontario government will partner with the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario and the Ontario Good Roads Associationto study bridges in Wellington County, comparing the merits of employing alternative delivery models (e.g. P3s, that are called Alternative Financing and Procurement in Ontario). The private sector is suggesting that the use of non-traditional delivery will better enable cash-strapped local governments to perform the necessary maintenance and rehab.
Read the full story in the Daily Commercial News HERE
May 8, 2012
Brian's Back on the Road in June
The Architects' Association of New Brunswick wants Brian to participate in a 2-day industry event, and facilitate a panel discussion on the profession and industry in NB, and future directions.
Right up his alley, of course, since he spends a lot of his time tracking the trends in and around the industry and helping his clients develop their strategies in response! (Strategies 4 Impact!)
Provincial government reps will talk about the effects "Government Renewal" there will have on infrastructure and set out their expectations for service providers like architects and consulting engineers.
While he's there, Brian will deliver a half day of Continuing Education to the architects on trends in the industry and strategies for seizing the opportunities, and managing the risks, that they present.
May 5, 2012
Setting the Right Fee!
Brian Delivers Continuing Education to Nova Scotia Architects
The Nova Scotia Association of Architects sought Brian's guidance for its members in setting the right fee for their valued professional services. The NSAA Council was about to support the guide recently published by Architecture Canada but wanted Brian to demonstrate how it should be used.
The Continued Education session Brian developed and delivered went well beyond that.
He opened by pointing out that architects are not the only professionals facing pressure on their fees. A recent article in Canadian Business highlighted the challenges faced by the legal profession. Negotiations between the Ontario government and doctors in that province over fees paid to physicians have broken off - the province wants a freeze, the docs don't.
Brian then outlined some of the main reasons why it is imperative to set the right fee for architectural services. You need to deliver the services and meet the terms of your contract. Maintain high quality. Meet the standards of the profession. Make a profit to sustain your practice. And much more.
He discussed some of the things that impact your fee on a specific project. Type of building. Complexity. Scope of services. Risk. He spent a fair bit of time on risk, noting that clients increasingly try to shift their risk to their architect (and contractor and other consultants!)
Next up was how to use the national guide. Then other methods to calculate a fee. Work Breakdown Structure. Unit pricing. How to calculate hourly charge-out rates (properly!)
And considerable time spent on Value-Based Fees. A fairly new concept that doesn't treat professional services as a commodity. Instead, it focuses on the value the professional delivers to the client in terms the client actually understands, relates to ... and will pay for!
Then the all-important approach to arriving at the final fee you're going to charge.
Some words about negotiation. As Brian explained, it's all about negotiation. Whether you're using the Architecture Canada guide, Work Breakdown Structure, they are all really negotiation tools.
A bit about Risk Management.
- Identify the risks.
- Measure them.
- Try to mitigate them.
- Figure out how you can manage them.
- Then decide what risks you'll take on.
AND HOW MUCH TO CHARGE FOR TAKING ON THE RISK!
Brian wrapped up with some examples of how fee guides, schedules, recommendations, hourly rates published by professional associations ... can BITE you!
He closed by saying the last thing he would ever want is anyone suggesting, recommending, or worse, mandating, what he should charge clients. Let the market do its work!
HERE are the PowerPoint slides for his presentation.
May 2, 2012
Is the Professional-class Bubble Bursting?
Brian presented two Continuing Education sessions to 100 architects and interns in Halifax last week. (More on those sessions in the days to come.)
Among many other things, he talked about shifting demographics and the impact this will have on demand for architectural services (think aging population,for example).
AND the impact this will have on the ability of the profession to provide them.
Started a sprited discussion! Some of the more "experienced" architects (i.e. older generations) concluded they can never retire because there'll be no one to take their place.
The younger folks stated that their generations have very different values. For example are not interested at all in working 80 hour weeks - they want some work/life balance.
So, we should anticipate some interesting challenges coming soon.
Meantime ... and here's the point to this piece... Margaret Wente, writing in the Globe, posits that the "professional-class bubble has burst".
Lawyers, docs (and architects) finish university with massive debt. And the days of a newly-minted professional finding a high-paying job are history.
April 30, 2012
First "Procurement Day" in Ontario - A Great Success!
Strategies 4 Impact! is a member of the Procurement Project and Brian participated in the First Procurement Day in Ontario on April 16.
The objective was to bring representatives of all infrastructure project stakeholders into one room to discuss the challenges we are all facing with procurement of design and construction services for infrastructure projects. We had buyers, contractors, design professionals, insurers, construction lawyers, industry associations, project managers, sureties and more!
Everyone noted the tremendous value of learning a bit more about each other's world. For example, before April 16, many design professionals and contractors really didn't understand the procurement policies and rules that govern buyers.
Clive Thurston, President of the Ontario General Contractors Association, talked about the very positive results of the collaboration between Infrastructure Ontario and the industry through the Strategic Opportunities Committee (that Brian facilitates!). He urged other buyers and public owners to consider building a similar relationship with their vendors.
The day concluded with commitment to continue the dialogue and work together on a number of priorities identified during the facilitated workshop:
- risk management
- evaluation of proposals and bids
- isolation of procurement departments from users, clients and industry
- use of contracts, etc. that are not industry standards
- non-use of industry standard contracts and excessive and unrealistic supplementary conditions
- quality lacking in bid documents
- stress of the procurement process, e.g. lack of sufficient time, unclear project scope
- poor communication among the parties which can lead, among other things, to adversarial relationships
Brian is meeting with the other members of the Procurement Project in May to develop and implement strategies and tactics to address these priorities.
Collaboratively.
Read the Executive Summary HERE
Read the Full Report on Procurement Day HERE
April 20, 2012
Why Brian volunteers with DeafBlind Ontario Services
Because he's thrilled to be able to help, in a small way, this amazing organization do the incredible work it does for deafblind Ontarians.
Among the most vulnerable of our neighbours.
Just take a look at the current newsletter to learn more.
And then think about lending your support to this group, or another one that is so dedicated to helping fellow Ontarians.
April 16, 2012
Celebrating National Volunteer Week
Strategies 4 Impact! and Brian have always been big, big believers in volunteerism.
That's what makes a community!
Sustains our society.
Brian continues to 'give back' as Chair of Government Relations at DeafBlind Ontario Services, an organization that is incredibly good at respecting and recognizing its volunteers.
April 10, 2012
Descriptions for Brian's Coming Presentations for the Nova Scotia Association of Architects
NSAA is distributing these descriptions for Brian's presentations there on April 26th and 27th.
April 5, 2012
The Power of Prefabrication
One of the many industry trends that Brian has been tracking (he'll talk about it in Nova Scotia, see below) is prefabrication.
"Who would stick build a roof on a house these days?"
Here's a 16 floor hotel that was built in China in 6 days.
Through the power of prefab!
Read the article on Architectural Record HERE
April 4, 2012
Brian's On the Road Again!
Nova Scotia Association of Architects has Brian presenting a special session at its AGM on April 26 called Finding the Right Fee! Brian helps his private clients develop and execute strategies for establishing professional fees in our increasingly competitive, many say volatile marketplace. He'll share some of that with colleagues in Nova Scotia.
The following day he'll offer a brand new version of "Strategies for Profiting from the Trends that are Transforming our Industry and our Markets"Brian willidentify some of the hot trends he's always watching, and most importantly, talk about how architects can profit from the opportunities, and manage the risks,that all of this brings.
It's all aboutdelivering top quality professional services, meeting professional standards, and ... running a sustainable and profitable business!
April 3, 2012
Construction Innovations
We write and talk about the critical importance of innovation to our economy, our industries.
Korky Koroluk writes about three construction innovations in the April 3 Daily Commercial News including news about the U.S. military's plans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels!
March 25, 2012
Drummond, Design and Infrastructure
Editor Ian Chodikoff has an interesting Viewpoint in the current issue of Canadian Architect.
What will the impact of the Drummond Report in Ontario be on the design and construction sector? (In and potentially beyond Ontario)
Chodikoff suggests that the industry will see more retrofit opportunities, in part because of the potential (recently "leaked" in the media) to consolidate government office space in a smaller "realty footprint". He also contemplates more Alternative Financing and Procurement (the well-established Ontario version of Public Private Partnerships).
Discussion of a new P3 student residence at Ryerson leads to some thoughts about reducing costs for long-term care by creating innovative housing types for our aging population.
And finally, Ian muses about the potential for non-profit and private sector development/repair/operation of affordable and social housing.
A solid read from an always thoughtful writer!
Read the Canadian Architect article HERE
March 18, 2012
Education a Better Economic Driver than Natural Resources
"Pass the Books and Hold the Oil"
Thomas Friedman in the NY Times, writing about an OECD study that correlates performance on an assessment it administers to 15-year olds in 65 countries to total earnings on natural resources as a percentage of GDP. It demonstrates "a signficant negative relationship between the money countries extract from national resources and the knowledge and skills of their high school population".
In countries with little in the way of natruaral resources like Finland, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, education has strong outcomes and high status. People in those countries understand that they must live by knowledge and skills and that these depend on quality of education.
Friedman quotes K.R.Sridhar, founder of fuel-cell company Bloom Energy: "When you don't have resources, you become resourceful."
The message for the resource-rich, meantime: " ... societies that get addicted to their natural resources seem to develop parents and young people who lose some of the instincts, habits and incentives for doing homework and honing skills."
Nothing that wrong with leveraging national, natural resources, if you are fortunate enough to have them, provided there is investment in education and a culture of life-long learning.
March 11, 2012
Ontario Has Reduced CO2-Equivalent GHGs Produced in Generating Electricity by 30 Megatonnes
While increasing the power generated over the past 8 years.By replacing coal generation with renewable and other sources.
Writing in the Toronto Star, Tyler Hamilton notes that Alberta relies heavily on coal and muses that a similar shift to reduce GHG generation there might help offset some of the criticism of the oil sands, another major source of GHGs.
March 8, 2012
On a Positive Note: Canada ... Economic Superpower?
Joanna Pachner's article in the March 19 issue of Canadian Business describes how Canada can become an economic superpower. On the list:
- best debt-to-GDP ratio in G7
- low tax rate on business investment
- world's best banking system
- vast resource wealth
- plans for steady debt reduction
- surveys, polls, studies show Canada and our cities at or near the top of the list for places to get an education, start a business, raise a family, live a long, happy life
- reverse of the 'brain drain'
- a middle class that is considerably richer than that in the U.S.
- unexploited potential in Ontario's financial sector
Some say we have"an enormous opportunity to leverage our moment in the sun - to become a leading force in finance and education, and a true energy superpower."
Read the Full Article in Canadian Business and Find Out Why
March 6, 2012
Building Canada's Green Economy - The Municipal Role
Another thoughtful report from Sustainable Prosperity. Discusses how municipalities and the federal government can coordinate policies and actions to optimize the many beneftits of a green economy. Infrastructure investment, addresseing sprawl, energy efficiency retrofits, and more.
Read the Full Report and Related Resources HERE
Sustainable Prosperity is a national research and policy network, based at the University of Ottawa. SP focuses on market-based approaches to build a greener, more competitive economy. It brings together business, policy and academic leaders to help innovative ideas inform policy development.
March 4, 2012
Innovation - Canada is Missing Out
Interesting op-ed article recently in the Toronto Star outlining how Canada contnues to be great at "discovery research" but is failing to cash in by commercializing those discoveries.
Important conversation given the pending "austerity" agendas at various levels of government.
We need more, not less investment in bringing our innovations to market.
February 6, 2012
Advocating Infrastructure Investment
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - Canada was on Parliament Hill recently advocating for continued investment in infrastructure.
ACEC representatives congratulated the Prime Minister on the success of the economic stimulus program and thanked him for the commitment to work with the industry to develop a long-term infrastructure strategy.
February 1, 2012
New Sustainable Prosperity Policy Brief: Managing Urban Sprawl
Development charges (DCs) are always a 'hot topic'.
Recently came across this brief that explores how DCs might be used not just for cost recovery related to development, but also as one tool for growth management. For example, DCs could be structured to reflect the lower infrastructure-related costs in higher density developments.
DCs could be redefined to reflect life cycle costs of hard and soft infrastructure, rather than just capital costs. Perhaps could be used to support investment in transit.
A quick, thought-provoking read.
Sustainable Prosperity is a national research and policy network, based at the University of Ottawa. SP focuses on market-based approaches to build a greener, more competitive economy. It brings together business, policy and academic leaders to help innovative ideas inform policy development.
January 29, 2012
P3 Report Distributed Across United States!
Brian was principal researcher and author of the report "Understanding Public Private Partnerships in Canada" for the Association of Canadian Engineering Companies.
That report has now been distributed across the United States through ACEC state Executive Directors.
Underlines one of the conclusions in the report, that P3s are not going to disappear.
Used properly and in the appropriate circumstances they are a viable form of project delivery.
But, P3s are NOT a panacea.
Brian expects to see more use of P3s in Canada as public owners struggle with austerity measures, and seek to shift more risk to private sector partners. Risks like schedule, budget, life cycle performance of infrastructure assets.
January 19, 2012
20 Big Ideas for 2012
So, what do we need to be thinking about as we develop, refine and implement our business strategies in 2012?
Don Tapscott has some provocative thoughts.
20 Big Ideas that he classes as "transformations".
Tapscott: "All 20 are based on the idea that the industrial age has finally run out of gas and we need to rebuild most of our institutions for a new age of networked intelligence and a new set of principles collaboration, openness, sharing, interdependence and integrity."
Here's the first one: Make the transformations required to avoid the 20-year slump... "There is growing concern that the global economic crisis is not over, but may be just beginning. How do we avoid a prolonged period of slump and its effects stagnation, unrest and even calamity? Evidence suggests that this is not a normal business cycle but rather a secular change that the industrial economy and many of its institutions have finally run out of gas. A fundamental transformation is required from old models of financial services to media, our energy grid, transportation systems and institutions for global cooperation and problem solving."
Another: A next step for social media: social business?... "Recent examples illustrate that social media is becoming a new mode production that changes the way economies and firms innovate, create wealth and compete. Beginning years ago with Wikipedia and the Linux operating system and extending today to entire industries like the manufacturing of motorcycles in China. Closed, hierarchical corporations that once innovated in secret can now tap, and contribute to, a much larger global talent poolone that opens up the world of knowledge workers to every organization seeking a uniquely qualified mind to solve their problem."
Collaboration. Integration. Openness. Interdependence.
So, how will all of this help you develop winning strategies for YOUR business?
Read all 20 Big Ideas on Reuters HERE (be sure to catch all 4 parts)
Tapscott is a Canadian business executive, author, consultant and speaker as well as Adjunct Prof at Rotman. He specializes in business strategy, innovation, organizational transformation and the role of technology in business and society. His latest book is "MacroWikinomics: Rebooting Business and the World."
January 9, 2012
Infrastructure Investment: Canada vs the U.S.
The federal government in Canada is moving forward in discussions with the provinces on a new infrastructure plan. In Ontario the government has announced $35B in infrastructure investment over the next three years.
Just came across an article in the December 2011 ARCHITECT, the magazine of the American Institute of Architects. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee is recommending that the 2012 Budget contain ZERO dollars for new construction by their General Services Administration. (more-or-less equivalent to Public Works Government Services Canada) And continued huge reductions in retrofits, including for energy efficiency.
The industry in the U.S., despite some modest stimulus investment, continues to suffer badly. [Paul Krugman wrote recently in the N Y Times that the U.S. investment was too little, and has not been kept in place long enough to do the job]
And now this?
As a friend of mine often says, "Yikes!"
Read the ARCHITECT article HERE
January 7, 2012
Innovative Funding for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
I'll credit Tyler Hamilton writing a while ago in the Toronto Star for this one.
A consortium in the US will analyse commercial buildings, design the upgrades, implement them, finance them ... and guarantee (backed by insurance) the savings that will pay for those upgrades.
No upfront money required from the owner.
Payments are recovered by the consortium through property taxes.
Apparently Canadian jurisdictions aren't legally authorized to collect those payments.
YET.
Think about the Tower Renewal Project in Toronto, for example. Great strategy. But no money.
Let's hope the Ontario government takes a look at this.
Meantime, even without the tax angle, maybe there's the germ of a strategy here given the huge stock of existing, hugely inefficient infrastructure we have. An integrated, TEAM approach.
Read a NY Times article about this HERE
Image courtesy of ERA Architects
December 31, 2011
Strategy and Social Enterprise
About this time last year Brian was facilitating strategic and tactical planning with the Board and senior management of DeafBlind Ontario Services. It's a non-profit that, since 1989, has provided specialized services to support Ontarians who are deafblind.
Like so many similar organizations it finds itself heavily dependent on government funding - meaning the critically-important services it provides to its clients are terribly vulnerable, for example, in these times of "economic uncertainty". Sustainability of services is far from guaranteed. Ability to expand services is seriously constrained.
One of the strategic objectives adopted by the Board was to "Explore opportunities for social enterprise/proprietary initiatives."
Simply stated, social enterprise is about applying business principles and strategies to advance philanthropic objectives.
DeafBlind Ontario Services fleshed out its social enterprise objective thusly: "Our organization, and therefore our clients, have always been very reliant on funding support from the provincial government. We plan to temper that dependence by investigating the potential to generate revenue from other activities to help us serve and support our clients. For example, there may be opportunities to market our highly-valued TOUCH training to others. The reputation of our REACH program is growing, creating opportunities to support individuals who are deafblind in settings outside of our residences."
Given his extensive background working and volunteering in and with the non-profit sector, Brian was thrilled to read about the coming launch of the Pecaut Centre for Social Enterprise in honour of the late civic leader David Pecaut. Its objectives:
- develop the next generation of social entrepreneurs
- act as a knowledge hub for the non-profit sector
- help startup social enterprises make themselves sustainable
Keep an eye on this one, and consider how we can all offer our support!
Read the Toronto Star article about the Pecaut Centre for Social Enterprise here
December 15, 2011
New b.note: Integrated Project Delivery - Why Owners and Industry are Looking for a NEW Approach
Brian has been watching the growth of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in the U.S. over the past several years. Owners are frustrated with cost overruns, delays, poor quality, poor performance with 'traditional' project delivery models. Designers and builders see low profitability and lagging productivity signalling the need to find a new approach.
This new b.note will help owners and service providers understand what IPD is all about, the benefits it delivers, how it can fit into their strategies.
It's a 'team' approach, collaborative not adversarial. Bring all the key players together at the very outset of the project when the key decisions are being made. Share risk ... and reward!
It's real. It's happening. We've seen the case studies!
December 13, 2011
Infrastructure Investment - The Importance of "Staying the Course"
Brian talks a lot about the importance of infrastructure investment for our economy, our communities, the design and construction sector.
The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario has just released a follow-up to its earlier report which linked infrastructure investment to GDP growth. The report stresses the importance of "staying the course", building on the increases in infrastructure investment over the past couple of years.
Read the Earlier Report from July 2010 Here
December 5, 2011
Strategies at Construct Canada 2011
Brian spoke about some of the trends that are transforming Canada's design and construction sector, and linked them to the importance of a carefully-crafted business strategy.
"It's More Critical Than Ever That Every Business in This Industry Has a Solid, Intelligent Business Strategy!"
He explained that your strategy keeps your business focused on your markets, delivering value consistently, and resulting in success and sustained profitability.
He told the group how easy it is to create a sound business strategy, starting with studying "inputs" like the trends re-shaping the sector, as well as forces outside the industry that will affect it.
Before discussing some of those trends, Brian emphasized that he was only offering a few examples, saying "When I work with clients helping them develop their strategies, we usually spend a day-and-a-half or more doing this."
Trends he identified included:
- sustainability and "green"
- Canada's growing "infrastructure deficit"
- shfits in population demographics
- rapidly-evolving technologies
- government policy of all types
- major changes in project procurement and delivery
- industry consolidation
He wrapped the session up by urging business leaders to "get out of your comfort zone", to study these and the many other trends that will change our industry, and use that knowledge to create the intelligent business strategies that will help them succeed and profit.
See a PDF version of Brian's PowerPoint slides here
And watch for the story on Brian's second session at Construct Canada on Lean Project Delivery with Dick Bayer of the Lean Construction Institute.
December 1, 2011
Bill Clinton Opens Ontario Economic Summit
We attended the opening event of this year's Ontario Economic Summit to hear former US President Bill Clinton give his take on Ontario's green energy policies and health care, and talk about cities and regions. He was positive and complimentary to Ontario on all three and saidif we get those right "The world will beat a path to your door.
Read the full article here, including a link to Steve Pakin's report on interviewing Clinton after he spoke.
November 27, 2011
Brian's Speaking at
Construct Canada 2011
As happens every year, the organizers have asked Brian to speak at Construct Canada in Toronto. Two sessions this year.
First is "Strategies for Profiting from the Trends That are Transforming Our Industry and Market on November 30 from 10.30 til noon. Brian will highlight many of the trends he tracks and then discuss some ideas for strategies that will help YOUR business maximize the benefits, and manage the risks, associated with the unprecedented changes happening ... and about to happen ... in procurement and delivery of design and construction.
Second will be "The Emergence of Lean Project Delivery as a New Approach to Design, Construction and Project Management" on November 30 from 1pm to 2.15 pm. Brian's been watching and talking about Lean Construction, which applies to construction lean principles from the manufacturing sector to maximize value and minimize waste. In a b.note published last year, he suggested that the entire process of design and construction would benefit from the Lean approach. He'll be joining Dick Bayer, Interim Executive Director of the Lean Construction Institute, to help you understand the potential of Lean Project Delivery.
More details on the Construct Canada website.
November 21, 2011
PACE 2001
Congratulations to Martha George and the Grand Valley Construction Association on another successful PACE event on November 18.
Since she launched the program three years ago, Brian has been working with Martha discussing how owners, buyers and service providers can keep "PACE" with the huge changes in the design and construction sector. Again this year, Brian facilitated the event and delivered one of the presentations.
This year's central theme was "teaming" a more collaborative approach to project procurement and delivery.
Alex Carrick, Chief Economist at Reed Construction Data gave an overview of the economic outlook and urged partipants to get our of their comfort zone and look for new things to do and new ways to do them.
Brian talked about some of the trends he is tracking and the critical need to develop a comprehensive strategy to maximiaze the benefits and minimize the risks from the changing marketplace. He spoke at length about Integrated Project Delivery, an emerging "team" approach to procurement and delivery of infrastructure projects, as well as the application of Lean principles to project delivery. (Lean originated with Toyota in manufacturing ... maximize value and minimize waste)
Anton Pojasok, VP of Professional Services at Infrastructure Ontario talked about the 4 business lines of that provincial agency and the lead role it plays in infrastructure delivery and asset management.
Geza Banfai, a well-know construction lawyer, closed with his view that Integrated Project Delivery is coming ... it's "inevitable". He also outlined some of the legal provisions in team-model contracts.
Read about it in theDaily Commercial News Here
November 12, 2011
It's the ... ENVIRONMENT, Stupid!
Recent polling by Angus Reid (September 2011) turned up some interesting results.
Despite roiling markets, general uncertainty about the economy (especially the Eurozone) and the results of the last federal election, it seems the majority of Canadians surveyed by Angus Reid believe that protecting the environment is more important than the economy. 52% of Canadians also believe that global warming is the result of man-made emissions.
See the story on the Angus Reid site here.
(Apologies, btw, to Bill Clinton whose campaign coined the phrase "It's the Economy, Stupid!" in his successful 1992 presidential election run in the U.S.)
November 5, 2011
Innovation Conference 2011 - Awesome!
As he does every year, Brian attended the Architectural Record Innovation Conference in NYC.
Watch for his report on it - fabulous and invigorating!!
Meantime, here'san "a propos" sign in an MTA Subway car in Manhattan. (Brian transits everywhere when travelling!)
October 23, 2011
Grand Valley Construction Association's PACE 2011
Again this year, Brian is working with the Grand Valley Construction Association's President, Martha George, to present their annual ... and much anticipated... PACE event.
"The ICI construction industry is undergoing unprecedented change ... If you're not at the leading edge of knowledge, you're at the bleeding edge. PACE addresses this by bringing industry experts together in exclusive gathering of buyers of ICI construction services and business leaders to discuss:
P = Planning - The critical value of business strategy in these volatile times.
A = Advocacy - How to make it work for ICI.
C = Contracts and Conditions - The RISK of non-standard contracts.
E = Evolution of Procurement - What's driving it?
Brian will talk about some of those big changes that are happening and on the horizon, and about business strategy.
Other speakers will include Alex Carrick, Chief Economist, Daily Commercial News; Geza Banfai, Partner and Certified Specialist in Construction Law at Heenan Blaikie; and, Michael Inch, VP Procurement at Infrastructure Ontario.
When? Friday, November 18th from 9am til 12.30
Where? Cambridge, ON
For more information email brian@strategies4impact.com
October 18, 2011
Celebrate Small Business Week in Canada!
Every year at this time BDC sponsors Small Business Week. The theme this year is Power Up Your Business - Invest, Innovate, Grow!It runs through October 22 and there are lots of resources and eventson the website.
September 9, 2011
TRTL - Canadian Housing Entry in US Solar Decatholon
TRTL - Technological Residence Traditional Living - is the innovative entry designed and built by a team from the U of Calgary for this year's US Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon.
The net-zero detached home will generate at least as much energy as it uses via a rooftop PV (photovoltaic) array. It is constructed of prefabricated Structural Insulating Panels (SIPs) over a steel sub-frame.
What is most interesting, perhaps, is that the team partnered with the native communities of Treaty 7 with the objective of reflecting aboriginal traditions in the design and construction. The team is hopeful that this can be a prototype for affordable housing, including for aboriginal families.
Check out the website and Go, Team Canada!
August 18, 2011
Rebuilding New Orleans After Katrina - Part 2
Brian was in NOLA in May and toured rebuilding efforts (that are still far from complete).
This 2nd article in the series describes a second awesome strategy in play, the Musicians' Village.
Led by Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., this community is being rebuilt by Habitat for Humanity with the key objective of attracting musicians back to New Orleans. Many were forced to leave after Katrina left them without housing.
The heart of the neighbourhood is the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music that, in addition to providing rehearsal and performance space for resident musicians, will introduce local kids to the world of music - so critically important to every child's development!
Read the full article with images here
July 27, 2011
Ontario's New Infrastructure Strategy
One of Brian's favourite words is "strategy".
Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, Bob Chiarelli, recently announced "Building Together", a 10-year strategy for infrastructure investment in that province.
The strategy includes a projected $35B investment over the next three years to continue to address the so-called "infrastructure deficit" in Ontario.
That's especially noteworthy given the provincial deficit, which could otherwise result in major cuts to infrastructure investment! It's certainly had that impact in the past!
The announcement notes a general trend to longer-term planning and announces that the government is adopting a 10-year planning framework going forward.
Now that's strategic!
The Introduction outlines some of the direct and indirect economic returns resulting from effective and consistent investment in infrastructure, including preserving and creating a projected 300,000 jobs over the next three years.
"Building Together" looks like some positive news for the design and construction sector, Ontario's economy in both the short and long term, AND the quality of public infrastructure in Ontario.
July 22, 2011
David Suzuki Supports Ontario's Green Energy Act
On June 9, What's New talked about the David Suzuki Foundation redefining NIMBY as Nature in My Backyard.
Now, the Toronto Star reports that David Suzuki has made a "rare foray into partisan politics" by endorsing the Ontario Liberal party's Green Energy Act. Goes on to point out that the PCs say they will scrap the FIT program and other elements of the Liberal's green strategy including initiatives related to wind and solar power.
The PCs have also said they'll kill the Siemens deal, and with it the $7 Billion that the company promises to invest in Ontario developing green manufacturing.Quoting the Star ...
I dont get it, because its a job creator I would have thought that the Conservatives would be banging away at the need to create jobs, the host of CBCs The Nature of Things said during a stroll with McGuinty in Stanley Park on Wednesday.
Ontario right now is a leader in North America. Why would anybody come in and throw that out the window? It doesnt make any sense.
Read the whole article in the Star
July 7, 2011
Rebuilding New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina
A May 28 piece in What's New talked about attending the American Institute of Architects Convention in New Orleans. That city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
While attending the convention, Brian took an AIA tour of the 9th Ward where rebuilding is ongoing.
That area suffered the most damage, and unfortunately, the most deaths. The "Make It Right" project staged an international design competition is now building the winners. Some unique and outstanding designs are housing some of the residents who were displaced by the storm.
(the second article in the series will focus on a fascinating project in the Upper 9th Ward)
Read the full article with images here.
June 22, 2011
Brian Presents Strategic Plan to AGM
Brian presented the organization's new strategic plan "Proud Past. Dynamic Future"at the Annual General Meeting of DeafBlind Ontario Services.
He opened by briefly describing what a strategic plan is, and the process he used to facilitate the work of the Board of Directors and Senior Management in developing this one.
Brian told attendees that a strategic plan is critically important for every organization and business because it defines what the enterprise will look like a few years down the road and what it will be doing. (Often called Vision and Mission)
He went on to explain how a good strategic plan helps the leadership maintain the FOCUS of the organization AND ensure that precious resources are invested to achieve the objectives described in the plan.
June 19, 2011
"GREEN Litigation arrives in Canada"
Brian came across an interesting article on the Building Strategies and Sustainable Design website today. (Brian has written for that publication)
Evidently litigation around sustainable and 'green design' has found its way to Canada. The article outlines a couple of US examples, then discusses a statement of claim filed re. a Toronto condo project.
The claim alleges that the building was marketed as 'green' as in inducement to purchasers, but, despite rectification of deficiencies, it remains "far from the cutting edge green building promised". For example, the HVAC system is not delivering the efficiencies promoted to purchasers.
The advice: make sure your contracts deal with risks related to "green building" issues such as failure to achieve LEED certification. Contracts should also clearly set out responsibilities of all parties related to building performance and for collecting and submitting documentation for certification, approval of authorities, and so on.
June 12, 2011
Impact of Design Quality on Health
Yes, on health!
A great article by Architect Tye Farrow and Sharon VanderKaay in the March issue of Canadian Architect underscores the connection!
Example: urban sprawl, strip malls, hectares of asphalt parking lots, long commutes - all the worst characteristics of suburbia - are increasingly being seen as having a broad, direct and negative impact on health.
Who walks or even bikes in the suburbs? Planning and design are all about car travel. Need a quart of milk? Hair cut? Roll of stamps? Want to visit a friend?
Hop in the car.
Anyone wonder why obesity has become such a ubiquitous health issue?
Farrow and VanderKaay propose that debate about design needs to move away from design jargon ("mixed use" and "sense of place") to much more tangible and REAL conversations about the 5 "Vital Signs" (vital signs - health - get it?)
Design that:
- Creates connections with the natural world (also see the note 2 articles below on NIMBY - Nature In My Backyard)
- Projects character that is locally inspired - unique, individual
- Provides lots of variety and visual interest to experience while you walk
- Stimulates social interaction
- Leaves a legacy of long-term health
Let's face it, our health care system is strained, to say the least. We can't assume we can afford to just keep throwing more money into it - that's simply unsustainable.
Instead, quality design can play a major role in reducing "preventable disease".
Brilliant strategy!
But, what do we do about the suburbs we've built for the last few decades?
Farrow and VanderKaay cite the book "Retrofitting Suburbia" by Ellen Durham-Jones. It offers 80 examples of "suburban transformations" like one in Colorado where a massive mall was redeveloped into a couple of dozen walkable blocks of sustainably-designed new buildings.
All in all a powerful thesis that ought to stimulate discussion and debate not just within the design professions, but among the general public and - very importantly - with politicians and policymakers!
Read the entire article at Canadian Architect.
June 17, 2011
Strategic Planning
Brian had a first meeting with a new client, a professional service firm that is anxious to design its future, building on the solid foundation it has created over the past ~5 years.
A priority for this firm is the creation of a succession/transition plan AND a business development strategy ... all driven by a powerful strategic plan which Brian will help them create.
Read more about strategic planning.
June 9, 2011
NIMBY - Nature In My Backyard
We were browsing our community newspaper the other day and came across an article from the David Suzuki Foundation.
It suggests we redefine "NIMBY" from "Not In My Backyard" to "Nature In My Backyard". Start with gardens, then local and regional green spaces.
The article cites a study that demonstrates the positive economic impact.
Where we live, governments are working toward establishing the first urban National Park in Canada. And it would be in the 'backyard', a transit trip away, from millions of people.
NIMBY - Nature in My Backyard!
Read more on the Foundation's website.
May 30. 2011
Strategic Alliance
Strategies 4 Impact! was recently retained to help the principals of two architectural practices explore the potential for a strategic alliance that could lead to an eventual merger. Brian has developed a strategy and is facilitating their discussions.
May 29, 2011
A New b.note - AIA Supplemental Architectural Services
The AIA introduced a new set of resources at its recent Convention related to architects marketing and providing "Supplemental Architectural Services" to clients. The AIA website lists the services, provides essential knowledge about them, and advises on which standard AIA contract to use to increase profitability while minimizing risk.
Brian suggests the same strategy will work in Canada, adjusted to Canadian conditions.
And it's a strategy for every professional service firm, not just architects.
The new b.note provides the details and resources.
May 28, 2011
AIA Convention
Brian attended the American Institute of Architects Convention earlier this month as he tries to do every year to gather some 'intelligence' from the US.
This is the first of a number of short articles he'll be posting.
Generally, American architects are still in recovery mode - or trying to get into recovery mode - from the lingering recession. Lots of continuing education on the topic, also on pursuing international work.
Talking with individual architects, many are struggling. Partners facing multiple 'cash calls' to keep the firm afloat. Heavy investment in business development chasing too few projects in the marketplace.
Musings about ways to expand revenue base and move back to profitability.
Many archtiects report inquiries for potential new projects remain well below sustainable levels.
Not the prettiest picture.
But, the Convention WAS in New Orleans!
Great food, great jazz, and a really unique city. (between continuing education sessions, of course!)
Walking the Vieux Carre
The Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band at Fritzel's on Bourbon Street
But the big talk around town and on the news wasn't the AIA Convention. It was the rising Mississippi which threatened New Orleans (again!). Water level on May 14 was nearing the top of the levee.
The river crested soon after the Convention when authorities opened the Morganza Spillway for the first time since 1973to redirect the water away from New Orleans.
April 30, 2011
The Board of Directors of DeafBlind Ontario Services approved the Strategic Plan that they developed through Brian's faciliation at their retreat in January.
Brian also worked successfully with management to develop the tactical/operational planning to implement the Strategic Plan.
April 30, 2011
A recent Angus Reid poll asked businesses about outsourcing. What services do they outsource?
Strategic Planning was includedon the list of services commonly outsourced.
And, Hey!, that's part of our core business at Strategies 4 Impact!
We facilitate Strategic Planning for businesses in the design and construction sector.
AND for businesses outside of the sector.
Not to mention non-profit groups like DeafBlind Ontario Services where the Board of Directors just approved the Strategic Plan that Brian helped them develop.
And, Brian also worked with the management group there to develop the Tactical/Operational Plans to make sure it all happens!
what's brian reading?
MAD LIKE TESLA
Underdog Inventors and their Relentless Pursuit of Clean Energy
Tyler Hamilton
We'll often point to an article by Tyler Hamilton from the What's New? feature on our site. Hamilton is energy and technology writer for the Toronto Star and one of Canada's leading voices on green technology issues and trends.
In Mad Like Tesla Hamilton outlines projects that are underway in the field of green technology.
To many, these projects - and the inventors and innovators driving them - fall clearly into the "mad scientist" genre.
Just like Nikola Tesla!
Whether he was debating DC vs AC with Edison, challenging Einstein's Theory of Relativity, inventing radio (surprise, it wasn't Marconi!), imagining a geothermal power plant, or beam weapons that could shoot down missiles, he found himself the subject of criticism, often ridicule!
A big part of Hamilton's message is that it often takes this kind of imagination to achieve the really big breakthroughs.
Hamilton looks at specific examples of this breakthrough research based on innovation and imagination, and discusses the challenges of taking invention to commercialization.
- a small Canadian company developing hot nuclear fusion ... yes FUSION
- a California company that plans to collect solar energy in space and beam it to earth
- an Ontario inventor who wants to create tornadoes from waste heat to generate power
- biomimicry - harnessing the efficiencies of nature
- ethanol from algae (not corn!)
- ultracapacitors to store energy
Hamilton wraps the book with some hopeful, optimistic words about the need to keep an open mind, and to be patient to allow the "mad scientists" to invent and innovate, and then commercialize their ideas.
Provocative to be sure!
