Starting a Practice

Simon Foxell is Principal of The Architects Practice. He has designed buildings across the UK including houses, schools and offices and is a recipient of the prestigious Benedictus Prize awarded by the Union of International Architects. In recent years he has worked with schools and local authorities, designing new facilities and advising on development programmes. He was lead design adviser to Birmingham City Council’s Transforming Education programme from 2007 to 2010. He is a core member and co-ordinator of the Edge, the built environment think tank. He is a former member of the RIBA Council and Board and was Chair of both Policy and Strategy and RIBA London region. He sat on the RIBA’s recent Ethics and Sustainable Development Commission. He has authored multiple books, most recently Professionalism for the Built Environment (Routledge, 2019).

• PrefaceAbout the AuthorAcknowledgements Stage 0 StrategicDefinition Strategy formulationStart-up thinkingAlternative modes of practiceBusiness mentor Accountability partnerFeasibility study Escape routes  Stage 1 Preparationand Brief Setting outcomes & aspirationsKnowledge and skillsGlobal ChallengesBudgetProgramme & execution plan Stage 2 The OutlineBusiness Case SWOT analysis Market research Advice Professional obligationsNetworkBusiness training Investment and risk Funding opportunitiesThe outline business case (OBC)  Stage 3 TheBusiness Plan The business plan The company Business potential Your offer Responsibilities & ethicsSustainabilityPractice promotion Business arrangements Finances Data managementCompany or trading name  Stage 4 BusinessDesign STRUCTUREPractice cultureDesign cultureService deliveryCustomer experience (CX)Practices and policiesInformation managementKnowledge managementIntellectual property (IP)Developing standards Training and CPDHealth and safetyPerformance and feedback COMPONENTSGraphic identity Premises Office basicsEquipment Bank account Insurance Professional advisers Keeping account Tax, National Insurance and VAT Pensions  Stage 5 Starting upSETTING OUT YOUR STALLPlanting your flagDeclarations and commitmentsPerformance monitoringOpennessRelationships GETTING NOTICED MarketingPublicity materials NetworkingThought leadershipSocial entrepreneurialismOvercoming procurement barriers  WINNING WORK Working at risk Negotiation Saying ‘No’ Generating your own work               APPOINTMENTS AND FEES Appointment Fees     Expenses            WORKING Professionalism Organisation Health and safety at workOn-line toolsProject staffing Records Quality control Change control Standard procedures Resourcing Time management Research and innovation Risk Locums Money ITTrouble Taking on staff Skill developmentPerformanceVerifying outcomesSharing information/feedbackGiving back (to the profession) Stage 6 KeepingGoing Maturing Benchmarking Reviewing Office manualQuality management Workload Skills Retaining & developing staffPlanning for disaster Work–life balance  Stage 7 Evaluationand Looking Ahead The (next) business plan Forward planning Practice positioning Size and growth Staff progression Succession planning The future of work Conclusion                       Bibliography and websites         Index