Author Archives: SDA Seattle

IRS raises standard mileage rates for 2015

#tbt: No longer alone in the industry

. . . I had been alone in this industry, isolated on an island without networking, education or help.

. . . Nonetheless, my boss encouraged me to participate [in SDA] and I started with chairing the Jobline committee. I found that for all the effort I put into my volunteer duties, I received as much or more back in answers to my own questions, solutions to office quandaries, and ever-increasing knowledge. Through that involvement I got to know several board members who became mentors to me. These inspirational leaders that I admired so much became friends. They became, in my mind, real people, fallible, friendly, and tangible to me in a way I couldn’t have imagined just a few years before.

Renae Howard, CDFA (Seattle member since 2002; excerpt from her “Message to Members,” Portico, November 2005)

It was 55 years ago this week

On an October evening in 1959, five secretaries in Miami, Florida, met to discuss the possibility of forming a group consisting solely of architectural secretaries which could benefit the architectural profession and the community. Each of the five secretaries subsequently contacted other architectural offices, and on October 21, 1959, the first meeting of The Architectural Secretaries Association, Inc. (ASA) was held.And so began the story of what is now called the Society for Design Administration.

And so began the story of what is now called the Society for Design Administration.

While the Miami group was off to an enthusiastic start, like any new organization they encountered problems. Early opposition to the group came from some architects who felt they were trying to form a union, or that they might discuss confidential office matters at gatherings. It soon became apparent that the group would have to prove itself – to stand or fall on its own merit.

The first officers of the Miami chapter were installed in January 1960, and three months later, its constitution and bylaws were adopted. Then, in May 1961, the chapter was granted its charter by the Secretary of the State of Florida, thus becoming the first chartered organization of its kind in the United States.

Chapter colors were blue and white (blueprint) and its motto was amiability, sincerity and assiduity.

We’ve come a long way, baby!

#tbt: On business writing

Excerpt from a previously published SDA article:

Are you still writing “Enclosed please find . . .”? Please stop. It’s old fashioned and you wouldn’t talk that way. [You] won’t find one writing consultant that will tell you it’s okay to write like that. Just ask Mannie Sherberg. He presented a session on business writing, at the SDA Leadership 2001 conference. Continue reading →

Check this out: Superscript and subscript tips

Our favorite Microsoft Word guru, Dorothy Skans (Parsons Brinckerhoff), shares two tips for superscript and subscript. Continue reading →

#tbt: The power of professional organizations

More than 10 years later, the wisdom of SDA members still holds true (excerpt from a 2003 Seattle chapter newsletter).

If you were looking for Seattle Chapter SDA members who can attest to the powerfulness of the organization, you wouldn’t have to look any further than the four panelists at the October program:  Terry Bolender, Robbie Ralkowski, (both lifetime Seattle chapter members); Stacy Rowland, and Linda Flynn (former member).  They offered insight, made suggestions, provided advice, and shared personal anecdotes on how SDA can serve as a building block and enrich your professional career.

Key themes

  • Obtain leadership skills (and build confidence and self-esteem)
  • Obtain a broader educational/career base
  • Become a well-rounded design firm administrator
  • Develop a design-industry network
  • Understand one’s position and the role it plays in the overall profitability of your firm
  • Get involved
  • Stretch yourself within your firm; step out of your comfort zone
  • Create lifetime friendships

In viz-time: Project designs that will knock your socks off!

Remember back in the day when drafters took pencil to paper on drafting tables and drew up the plans that engineers and architects used to build their project? We’ve come a long way baby! Steve Johnson (senior design visualization specialist at Parsons Brinckerhoff) presented a business practice webinar demonstrating the cool simulations he and his colleagues have designed, and what many clients are now requesting in the way of deliverables or work products. These are hot video simulations that are visually awesome.

Just take a look at this simulation. It’s a historical build-up of the Seattle skyline showing 50 years of building development—from 1958 to 2008 (from Parson Brinckerhoff’s 3D model of the city).

 

Who is leading the meeting, and how effective are they?

When was the last time you sat in on the perfect meeting? The meeting in which the leader started and ended on time. The meeting in which the leader distributed the agenda two days prior. The meeting in which the leader did not allow attendees to negatively impact the meeting. Where are those great meeting leaders when you need them, and how can you develop that reputation? We asked local communications expert, Candace BelAir, her thoughts on effective techniques to ensure your meeting exceeds your attendees’ expectations.

SDA: One of the greatest fears people have is public speaking, but that doesn’t always mean they are presenting to a group of 100-plus people. Sometimes they have to lead a small-scale meeting, which you would think would be an easy thing to do, but their knees are still shaking. What makes leading a meeting so scary? Continue reading →

Best Practices for Managing Good Client Relations

Consultants in the architectural/engineering/construction (A/E/C) industry know that good client relations play an important part in the sustainability of their business. The success of your current and future projects depends on positive client relations.

Client relations are no longer dependent on just one person in the firm. Your employees might not be aware that they, regardless of position or years of experience, also have a role in developing or greatly enhancing client relations. Instilling a culture of positive client relations management in your office, and helping all employees achieve that culture, enables a win-win situation.

Two firms, Parsons Brinckerhoff and BHC Consultants, share their best practices for managing good client relations. Continue reading →