Rena M. Klein, M.S. Management 1996

Owning and operating a small architectural design firm can be challenging, with tight project deadlines, on-the-fly meetings, rush proposals, and fluctuating workloads as part of the firm’s day-to-day activities. To help small firm owners cope with the chaos and prepare for the unexpected, alumna Rena M. Klein FAIA has written The Architect’s Guide to Small Firm Management, a no-nonsense guide to repurposing daily demands into workable, goal-directed solutions.

Crucial topics such as self-aware leadership, people management, technology, financial health, scenario planning, sustainable practice, and future trends are examined using real-life case studies and business model paradigms. This definitive text explores the whole system experience of a small firm practice to deliver proven organizational strategies.

This book is a must-have for those facing the often harsh reality of managing small design firms in a difficult and changing economy. Entrepreneurial architects and designers will discover how to define their own personal and professional meanings of success, as well as how to refocus their business approach to replace long, unrewarding hours with manageable, satisfying ones.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART I: MANAGING IN AN UNPREDICTABLE
ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 1: Bringing Order Out Of Chaos
Chapter 2: Whole Firm System
Chapter 3: Routinize The Routine
Chapter 4: Leadership Matters

PART II: BEST LAID PLANS
Chapter 5: Lifecycle Of A Small Firm
Chapter 6: Transition Times
Chapter 7: Financial Management: Beyond Intuition
Chapter 8: Scenario Planning

PART III: LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
Chapter 9: Strategic Thinking
Chapter 10: Small Design Firm Practice Models
Chapter 11: Technology And Integrated Practice In Small Firms
Chapter 12: Big-Picture Trends
Chapter 13: Sustainable Economics

Index

About the author:

Rena M. Klein, FAIA, is principal of RM Klein Consulting, a Seattle-based firm offering business
planning services, meeting facilitation, and management education to leaders of small design firms.
Building on her graduate degree in management and her twenty years of experience as the owner of
a small architectural firm, Rena regularly presents seminars on small firm practice. Her innovative
work in this area has appeared in print and Web publications, including AIA’s online Architect’s
Knowledge Resource. For more information go to http://rmklein.com

Excerpts available at http://www.amazon.com/Architects-Essentials-Small-Firm-Management/dp/0470466480/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268694401&sr=1-1 and  http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470466480,descCd-description.html

More information at RM Klein Consulting (http://rmklein.com/)

ISBN: 978-0-470-46648-3 • Hardcover • 240 pages
June 2010 • $75.00

To order call 1-877-762-2974 or online at www.wiley.com/buy/9780470466483