Creating the Self-Managed Firm

As a small architecture firm owner, you're a bottleneck in your firm.

How do you unchain yourself from the day-to-day operations of the firm so you can focus on the things that are the best use of your time and focus, instead of the administrative minutiae that sap your energy and leave you drained at the end of the day?

I love to sail, and in sailing there's a saying, “Red on right on return.”

This little saying helps me remember how to interpret the channel markers that indicate safe passage for a ship in a narrow waterway.

Because one usually can't see what is beneath the water when piloting a ship, channel markers keep you clear of underwater obstructions.

In the US, on one side of the channel all the markers are green, on the other side all the markers are red.

Green and red channel markers indicating the safe passage

This is important to remember so you know on what side to pass these markers to avoid disaster.

And here is where our handy saying comes into play. As you head back to port (returning) or head upstream, the red markers will be on the right (starboard) side of the boat.

Just remember, “red on right on return.”

This rhyme has saved my tail many a time.

And here's where we get today's lesson.

In your firm do you have standardized, documented processes or are you re-inventing the wheel every time?

Do you and your team risk running aground every day because all of the information is in your head?

Just like channel markers free up sailors to pilot a ship, documented processes and systems in your firm allow you to focus on what you do (and love) best.

Because at the end of the day, if you don't love what you do – what's the point?

To discover how to structure your firm so you aren't the bottleneck, click here to register for my next free online training on building your Dream Practice.

Carpe diem.

Enoch Bartlett Sears

P.S. If you want to get the ArchitectCEO Daily update, click here to friend me on Facebook or send me a LinkedIn connection request by clicking here.

ABOUT

ENOCH SEARS

Enoch Bartlett Sears is the founder of the Architect Business Institute, Business of Architecture and co-founder of the Architect Marketing Institute. He helps architects become category leaders in their market. Enoch hosts the #1 rated interview podcast for architects, the Business of Architecture Show where prominent guests like M. Arthur Gensler, Jr. and Thom Mayne share tips and strategies for success in architecture.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HTML tags are not allowed.

708,219 Spambots Blocked by Simple Comments

FREE VIDEO REVEALS:

How To Double Your Architecture Firm Income In The Next 12 Months

Fill out the form below to get free, instant access:

Related Articles

We're hiring! APPOINTMENT SETTER (SALES SUPPORT ROLE)