The Value of Good Communications In the architectural and engineering field, good communications is crucial. Architects rely on this media to solicit client feedback, set up work programs and communicate with other professionals. Designers rely on it to communicate with their clients and monitor progress. Social media consultants are noticing that quality, timely communication is a competitive advantage in the architecture market.
Architects and Designers who don't build on their strengths will find themselves at a major disadvantage in the marketplace. It's human nature to resist someone who isn't similar to ourselves. Good communications skills aren't always learned in the classroom, but can be learned by working with professionals in your industry. For example, networking with the members of an architectural firm's architecture department can give you inside information about pricing and scheduling that you wouldn't otherwise have been able to obtain. Your architecture school may have great relations with local marketing and design firms, but these same firms may not be as readily available after graduation.
Good communications skills are the secret to understanding what works and what doesn't in the architecture and design industry. Architectural firms need to develop internal practices that promote open communication lines. Some of these include scheduling social media posts, providing regular updates through blog posts and Twitter accounts and holding office parties to celebrate success and give recognition to those who are doing well.
Architectural firms that are not regularly using these internal practices should consider whether it is worth the time and effort to develop internal practices. Some firms ignore the importance of good communications simply because they believe they have the expertise and manpower to effectively perform these tasks. Architectural firms should work to develop their own internal strategies and trainees. Once they realize that good communications is just as important to their career as the technical aspects of their work, they too will begin to establish and maintain good relationships with their clients.
Architecture firms that fail to use internal practices in developing positive relationships with their clients often find themselves in regulatory hot water. In fact, the federal government recently lost a legal case after a local highway department changed the way it monitored license plates. The change violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Federal Tort Reform Act. When the case was lost, the state lost a potential revenue source as a result of the violations.
Good communication can also help an architect build trust within a community. A successful marketing strategy is dependent on a strong relationship with the community. If the marketing team does not understand and manage the relationship with local officials, the architects may find their work rejected or stopped by local officials when submitting plans or proposals. The value of good communications skills helps architects build this relationship.
A good marketing and communications strategy also allow for effective communications regarding major projects and the hiring of pandemic preparedness personnel. For example, when a city requires pandemic preparedness, regular communications between the engineering firm and local public health departments to ensure that all necessary information is relayed to the appropriate parties. Failure to communicate or fail to relay important information can have dire consequences. Similarly, if city hall does not receive adequate training and information on disease preparation, a contractor may be able to submit a bid based on inaccurate data or skip steps needed to submit an accurate bid.
In summary, good communication and good communications tactics are critical to the success of any project. Failure to develop effective relationships can have a significant impact on the success or failure of an architect's efforts. Once an architect learns these essential principles, he or she becomes better able to effectively communicate with their clients and become better prepared for any challenge in the design and construction process.