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The AIA East Bay Professional Practice Forum meets on the third Thursday of each month at noon.

All are welcome, there is no cost to attend. Please RSVP for accurate room set up and bring your own brown bag lunch.

If you would like to participate as a knowledgeable voice in any area, please contact events@aiaeb.org.

Committee Chair: Mark Steppan, AIA

2010 Professional Practice Forum Schedule

January 21
Marketing and Business Development for the Architectural Practice
Marketing and business development are key to keeping an architectural practice strong. At this forum we'll discuss why it's important to look at all the ways a practice can develop their business.

Learning objectives:
After this forum attendees will know key marketing resources used in successful business development.
Attendees will have a strong understanding of how to best use photography as a marketing resource even in tough economic times.
Attendees will understand the importance of social networking and publicity in building and maintaining a business.
Attendees will understand how to best use branding, cold calls and flyers to successfully attract clients.


February 18
Understanding Owner-Generated Contracts
Owner-generated contracts can place a disproportionate and unreasonable risk on your firm. Many of these are uninsurable or increase your risk in areas where you have no ability to control the risk. This discussion will focus on the attendees own experiences; bring sample contracts to discuss. Problem areas that may be discussed include indemnifications; ownership of documents; hidden conditions; certifications, guarantees and warranties; consequential and liquidated damages; onerous clauses, scope; budgeting, schedule; IPD - Integrated Project Delivery; and insurance requirements.

Learning objectives:
After this forum attendees will be aware of risks presented by owner-generated contracts, and how to address these issues with a potential client.
Attendees will be able to identify potentially uninsurable contracts.
Attendees will be able to provide at least three modifications to contracts and/or services to minimize risk.
Attendees will have a basic understanding of consequential and liquidated damages.


March 18
Communication The Importance and Impact of Professional Communication
How architects and design professionals communicate speaks volumes. Unfortunately, in this age of texting and cellphones, we often forget that client communications must be clear at all times. Whether you are using email, the phone, or even a face-to-face meeting, understanding what the client hears can sometimes make or break a project.

Learning objectives:
Participants will understand how verbal and nonverbal communication can influence the reactions and actions of others
Participants will learn strategies and tactics for improving their communication abilities
Participants will take away new ideas on how positively to interact with others in business, and influence them tactfully and diplomatically.
Attendees will be able to give three examples of the importance of clear client communications through writing.
Attendees will learn tips on verbal communication in the work environment including how to diffuse stressful situations.
Attendees will gain an understanding of the effect non-verbal communication can have when meeting with a client or co-worker as well as how to make sure all non-verbal communication works to their advantage.
Attendees will learn proper etiquette when communicating electronically including standard office signatures & styles in letters and e-mails.


April 15
Legal Issues for Architects: Creating Contracts that Cover Your Assets

Learning objectives:
After this forum attendees will be able to state the pros and cons of form agreements.
Attendees will have a greater understanding of the important legal issues that should be considered by designers prior to execution.
Attendees will know the appropriate and realistic modifications to such agreements in order to protect architects and the core areas of a contract, including scope, fees and schedule.
Attendees will also be able to identify contractual relationships and methods.
Other topics discussed may include: Onerous clauses; scope; and IPD - Integrated Project Delivery

May 20
Project Delivery I - Concept Through Schematics
This discussion will focus on the various types of work and issues that occur during these initial project phases. Specific services and tasks will be discussed along with issues to pay particular attention to in completing front end work.

Topics discussed may include:

• Programming
• Consultant Selection and Fee Negotiation and Design Services
• Development of Program Documents
• Review of Conceptual Budget
• Develop pre-design assignments and schedule
• Program analysis and verification
• Code analysis
• Master plan review to determine project impact
• Development of several architectural concepts
• Analysis of concepts for budget compliance
• Selection of concept for schematic development
• Schematic layout review
• Preparation of formal submission
• Develop schematic assignments and schedule
• Scope entitlement
• Offshoring
• Sign off
• Fundraising
• Renderings
• Approved program statement, schematic design, including site and building layouts, calculated program areas, and schematic design budget

June 17
topic: Project Delivery II - DD through Bid
More information to come.

July 15
Project Delivery III - Construction Administration through Post Occupancy
More information to come.

August 19
Documentation: What are the Types and how best to use them
This forum will discuss the use of documentation through drawings, specifications, communications (written/verbal), copyrights, addendums, filing and archiving.

Learning objectives:
After this forum attendees will have a better understanding of what constitutes a Comprehensive Documentation Program.
Attendees will learn to properly keep RFI Responses and Logs; Shop Drawings; Submittals and Stamps;Change Orders and CCD's.
Attendees will understand the basics of document copyright.
Attendees will be able to explain what an addendum is and when to use one.

September 16
What is the Role of an Architect?
What really is the role of an architect in today's society and how best can we attain and maintain this role? The role of an architect will be broken down and discussed as it relates to current practice and the changing practice of architecture in an ever changing environment and economy. With increasing litigation and Architect's increasing the sectors that they individually serve, from Private to Public and Government, there are increasing and different responsibilities the architect must deal with.

Topics discussed may include:

• Project management and project design
• Subs
• Project teams
• Sole Practioners

October 21
How to Successfully Work with Regulatory Agencies and Authorities having Jurisdiction

Learning objectives
After this forum attendees will have a better understanding of tips, tricks and etiquette when working with regulatory agencies and authorities having jurisdiction.
Attendees will know the steps that need to be taken when working with the Division of the State Architect's (DSA).
Attendees will know the best practices when working with a City.
Attendees will have a better understanding of the proper chain of events when working with the Office of Statewide Health, Planning and Development (OSHPD).

November 18
Business Practices

Topics discussed may include:

• Personnel
• Offices, leases and equipment
• Taxes
• Insurance
• Oragnization structure; s-corp and c-corp
• Benefit Plans; retirement and medical
• 401 k's
  

For more information, email events@aiaeb.org or call us at 510/464-3600.