January 2013 Leadership Exchange - Part 1
Downloads:
ArchExchangeJanuary2013Part1.mp3


Want do architects and designers hope for in 2013? 

We asked that very question to our new Advisory Board, comprised of architects and designers, looking for insight into their daily challenges and thoughts on topics, such as:

+ Evolving social media into a useful tool

+ How Builder Information Modeling (BIM) is being used

+ Observations on sustainable building practices versus LEED® guidelines

+ New technologies and trends

+ Working vendor reps

Joined by Shawn and Ed Alshut, Larry Paschall and Tim Sliger (read more about each of them HERE), we asked the following questions for Part 1 of our Leadership Exchange and received some valuable feedback.

  

1. What is your preferred or favorite method for learning about new technologies or products?

+ Manufacturer Rep

+ Webinars

+ Sub-constractors

2. What are the top three publications you turn to for product and/or manufacturer information?

+ Range of publications, like Architectural Record and local home magazines

+ Internet: Forums and articles

+ Publication apps on iPad

3. How have you integrated social media into your job? Do you follow manufacturers online? 

+ See strong potential, but still searching for the "true" purpose of it in this industry

+ Misuse by manufacturers, due to lack of education, has discouraged use by architectural industry

+ Starting to look to as an additional resource used by sales reps

+ Using FlipBoard to integrate all social media into one, easy-to-use location

4. What new technologies have most changed the way you do your job?

+ Tag images online to add to digital libraries

+ Building Information Modeling (BIM)

+ GoToMeeting and WebEx

5. How has LEED affected the industry over the past 5 years? Is it for the good or the bad? 

+ Overall a positive thing for industry

+ Brought about a new way of thinking and raised the bar in the industry

+ However, much like Kleenex® is to facial tissues, LEED is seen as more of a "name brand" of good sustainable design

+ Influence more to "go local" and "think green"

+ Tighten building codes in the years to come

6. Are you aware of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)? Are they important to you when designing and/or specifying? 

+ Still lack of knowledge on EPDs, especially in the residential architectural industry

7. How do you feel about green product certification? Is there one you look to more than others? 

+ Lots of products claiming to be "green" causing immense "green washing"

+ Market is inundated with green claims, leading to mistrust of many companies, which may open the door for EPDs

8. Do you feel like any product categories are lacking good product choices? Good sustainable choices? 

+ Overall, most all categories well represented, more about products becoming better and more sustainable

9. What types of ads or marketing efforts make the biggest impression on you?

+ Online, especially on Architectural Record and Architect, project pages highlighting case studies

+ Resource pages of project pages

+ Association articles

+ For print ad to be noticed, it MUST have great graphics and be well done (Visit our article on The Good, The Bad and The Ugly)

10. Do you find Lunch 'n Learns or webinars valuable? 

+ Webinars are good for time management and can do from office

+ If product specific, prefer Lunch 'n Learns for an in-person inspection and understanding

+ Most often participate when a CEU credit is involved

You can listen to Part 1 of the Architect Exchange by downloading the mp3 link above. Listen to Part 2 HERE

By having everyday conversations with your audience, we are able to develop a unique understanding of their needs, which is what makes us effective in developing the right tools and strategies to get your products specified. Give us a call for an in-depth discussion on how we can help you build your brands and get closer to your audience.