Jake Rudin’s Post

“There is no fate but what we make for ourselves." (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) There seems to be an underlying, perhaps even unconscious attitude that pervades the profession,(or at least in some key quarters) – that we’re in a situation of 'the managed decline' of the architect in our culture. If such beliefs permeate enough people and organisations, they start to become treated as a facts, or at least inevitabilities..... But this notion of managing decline is actually only a belief and a belief that must be challenged. Instead of raising the white flag, why not exploit every possible opportunity to develop a new position for the architect’s role? It’s true that the clock can’t be turned back, but the potential exists to create a renewed and revitalised role going forward. This requires a different way of thinking. As Einstein said, ‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.’ Which means approaching the future role and situation of the architect with a different mindset, something I’ve focused on in my work at Manchester Society of Architects. Acting as a unified team and developing a different way has paid significant dividends in terms of the society’s success. We can’t maintain a vague hope that things will improve, we have to create the conditions where things can improve. Without decent fees and salaries and an advancement in the status of the architect in the value chain, we’ll be reduced to waving banners, rather than having the power to influence or drive change in wider social/societal issues. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Please vote for me in the upcoming elections - Voting starts on 17th June at 0900 https://lnkd.in/exTfs-Rm Manchester Society of Architects Jeffrey Bell Jason Boyle FRSA FRIBA Edwina Kimble Paul Wainwright Emma Roden Jenny Etheridge Ben Derbyshire PPRIBA FRSA HonAIA Professor Alan M Jones Professor Kevin W Singh RIBA NTF FRSA Tom Partridge Gary Seed Alan Simpson John Boardman Nick Moss Mark Percival Mark Iddon Sophie Way Rhys W. Robert McGinnes ged couser Amanda Taylor Juliette Mitchell Leeds Society of Architects Sheffield Society of Architects Liverpool Architectural Society OMI Architects Calderpeel Architects BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd) Shadath Chowdhury Tim Groom Tim Groom Architects AHR AFL Architects Sheppard Robson PROJECT 5 ARCHITECTURE LLP

There's a "vicious circle stemming from low fees that impacts on access and retention in the profession," says director at Assael Architecture, and RIBA Council member, Félicie Krikler. "In these competitive times we need to act ‘together’ as a group of practices. We must not undersell and undercut our services if we are to maintain the quality of buildings that our society needs." Read on to as Krikler implores architects to know their worth as she outlines a strategy for boosting #profitability, #diversity and #jobsatisfaction, and explains why underselling is selling out. https://lnkd.in/eGNUQ4tt

A must read for architects regarding how fee structures and the "race to the bottom" leads to long hours, underpaid professionals, and burnout: https://lnkd.in/g52f2C8k

Our thoughts are the architects of our outcomes. It's crucial to recognize that whatever we choose to focus our attention on, we implicitly grant permission for it to influence the direction and culture of the companies we are constructing. Consider the far-reaching implications of this not only for our dedicated employees but also for our valued customers, family, children, and friends. Again, our thoughts are the architects of our outcomes.

Should be a great session.

🔔Reminder for Black-Owned AEC Firms: Take 10 minutes to invest in your future now! 🔔 AEC Unites launched their “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Challenges Survey” and need your invaluable insights to identify the unique challenges Black talent and business owners face in the AEC industry and assess the effectiveness of DEI programs and efforts. The goal of this survey is to explore growth challenges within this industry and learn more about effective DEI programs. These findings will help shape our future initiatives and programs to drive meaningful change and provide crucial support we know Black AEC talent and businesses need. The link to the survey is in the comments section. Your input today is critical to building a more inclusive and supportive industry tomorrow! Thank you for your valuable time and insights! #diversity #equity #architecture #engineering #construction #DEI

With less than 10 days until the Atlantic Builders Convention, I'd love to start the conversation on what you feel is most important when starting out in business. Contractors, suppliers and many other trades in the construction industry will all be sharing their expertise at ABC. Check out the video below detailing what I feel are the most important things to consider when starting a business. Personally, I feel being able to take feedback and criticism are very important. You must be willing to not only listen to your customers, but to work with your team and find out what everyone's strengths and weaknesses are. Often, we all wear many hats, but when we can focus in on what we excel it, that is when we can exceed in our roles. See the ways we are setting new standards in our industry at stilodisposal.com.   To learn more about Professional Women in Building, I invite you to join us at the Atlantic Builders Convention on March 21st. As a member of the Professional Women in Building, we will be hosting an event at the Hard Rock Casino with industry leaders Cindy Cepko, MIRM, MCSP, CGP., Debra Tantleff, Meryl Gonchar, and Kristin Marzarella about leadership, confidence and the opportunities for women in building. To learn more or to grab your tickets, please register at https://abconvention.com/. New Jersey Builders Association National Association of Home Builders Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association of New Jersey   (📽 by Michael Cruz at Lightworks ATG)   #ProfessionalWomenInBusiness #PWB #WomenInBusiness #BusinessEmpowerment #BreakingBarriers #FemaleEntrepreneurs #WomenInConstruction #WomenInBuilding #ConstructionManagement #BuildHer #StiloDisposal #WasteManagement #AtlanticBuildersConvention #NewJerseyBuildersAssociation #NJBA #MetroBCA #NAHB #WeAllBuild #NJBuilders #Construction #Builders

Working with Torey Carter-Conneen, CAE and the team at the American Society of Landscape Architects was a terrific learning opportunity and an amazing collaboration that I believe others can learn from as well.  Here is a link to a Case Study about our work together: https://lnkd.in/eXpP9MYj Five key takeaways: 1.        The value of bringing in outside expertise for major transformations:  If your organization is facing a transformation or generating its own, it helps to bring in someone who has “been there/done that” before. 2.        The importance of creating a compelling vision and strategic plan: Knowing where you want to go and having a plan to get you started is a key to success. 3.        The power of an executive partnership:  Find an executive thought-partner who cares about you and your team’s success and understands how organizations work adds significantly by accelerating progress and providing a sounding board. 4.        The benefits of the fractional model: The fractional executive model gives you access to world-class expertise without a long-term hire, saving time and money. 5.        The impact of taking a people-first approach: A people-focused approach that takes the time to understand your working style, the organizational culture and the people involved helps ease the inevitable changes and drive adoption. To learn more about Chief Outsiders work with American Society of Landscape Architects, take a look at the case study.  If you would like to discuss your specific opportunities and needs, please reach out to me directly: tmccrary@chiefoutsiders.comor 214.931.9525.  

As an integral element of the American Institute of Architects '24 Leadership Summit, visits to our elected Congressional leaders in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House have been a vital part of the Leadership Summits and its Grassroots predecessor for decades. This year's visit with U.S. Representative Gabe Amo is significant as Representative Amo is the newest member of Congress, being elected to in a special election, with a large field primary, to succeed former Representative David Cicilline. As you can see in the photo with Rep. Amo, my tie was askew from taking off my name tag lanyard too quickly while going through security. Our discussions were so engaging and robust, no one noticed...or everyone was too polite to tell me I did not know how to properly wear a tie. Tie issues aside we did discuss the AIA priorities, including tax refrom on research and development tax credits, affordable housing, more efficient and effective structures for financing housing, carbon and de-carbonization. As we asked all our elected officials in our visits the question, "What can the AIA assist you with, or do for your legislation initiatives?" Representative Amo responded with a very intriguing answer which I had never heard in recent times. He said that he would like the AIA to become more involved as a voice in important issues that are not necessarily in the traditional "lanes" of architects or the AIA. I plan to follow up with him on that idea and challenge when I see him back in Rhode Island...which is 3% bigger at low tide. (that's low tide, not low tie...!) #morein24 #aia #RepresentativeGabeAmo #aiapriorities #r&dtaxcreditreform #affordablehousing #improvehousingfinancestructures #carbon #designofdesign #1•98,000•200•1

Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland - Governance Changes. For anyone who is a Member of the RIAS, this is a reminder that the RIAS SGM and AGM will be taking place on the 26th of June at 1pm. During the SGM the Chartered Members will be asked to vote on the updated Charter and Bye-laws. You will have had both a calling notice, and reminders, in the RIAS bulletin, telling you how to sign up to attend (on-line). It is really important that as many Members as possible attend. Please sign up and encourage colleagues to do so. It should only take a few minutes of your time and, as it is scheduled for lunch time, you can still munch a sandwich while participating in perhaps the single most important democratic vote that the RIAS has had for a century. There is also a deadline for questions, on the 19th of June, and these should be addressed to email: CEO@rias.org.uk These questions will be addressed at the SGM. The RIAS have also made this video which explains the changes which Council recommend and are asking the Membership to approve. This has been a long and at times arduous journey, but the end result will be a more energised and proactive RIAS, promoting Architects and Architecture. Please watch the video and share this link: https://lnkd.in/eH26gjtE