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21 May 2010
There are virtually no business enterprises that have not been affected by the recession we are experiencing today. No market segment is immune particularly ours…architecture and construction.
That marketplace is basically a jig saw puzzle. When all the pieces are securely in place, the resulting “picture” is beautiful and reflects the effort, skill sets and thought process required to complete the project. If one of the pieces is missing it just doesn’t work.
If money is tight and loans are hard to come by, it doesn’t matter how low the interest rates get. If the general business environment doesn’t reflect the near-term possibility for growth, new projects will be few and far between. As long as there is available space on the market, and a dearth of prospective tenants, developers will be reluctant to create more spaces. Those are the current facts of business life today. However, you don’t need me to point this out to you nor do I wish to be the “prophet of doom and gloom”. My intent is merely to set the scene. That having been said, there is still business out there, a fact to which we can gratefully attest.
Over the years our philosophy has been to build significant and solid relationships with our clients. Establishing ourselves early-on with prospects enables the process of converting the prospect into a client. Maintaining that association and building upon it constitutes relationship building. That is the foundation upon which we built our business and it has enabled the success we have enjoyed and the wherewithal to withstand the negative impact of the current economy.
No developer has ever hired us to tell them how run their business. However, is certainly helpful to all parties involved if we learn as much as possible about their philosophy, what their goals are, what their successes have been and why, and yes, what problems if any they have experienced in the past. Having this knowledge going forward enables us to identify with the prospect, address their needs and (selfishly but understandably) develop a proposal that has the best chance of being approved. It also creates a foundation of trust and confidence upon which we can build.
We make it clear that the client objectives are our objectives. We establish CSR as the client’s advocate. We take that role seriously, assume it happily and we act with that responsibility uppermost in our mind, even if it means disagreeing with the client when it benefits them. Once we have established that relationship we do everything in our power to make it a sustainable one. We stay in communication, we offer information, we provide counsel as they require and we make it perfectly clear that the client can depend on us at all times, under all circumstances.
This philosophy has enabled us to address the unfortunate shortfalls this current economy has created and continue to work productively and serve our loyal client base. We thank them for their continuing confidence and favoring us with their business.
