Expanding in the USA is a drastic step for any business and a dream cherished by every architect. It can bring innumerable benefits to your business including generating more revenue, diversifying, entering a new market with different clientele and acquiring talented people from around the globe. It can be a lucrative move for your business only if you have a clear plan of execution and a streamlined plan of action.
Here are the few most common mistakes an architect should avoid for a successful and smooth expansion in the USA. An architect should bear in mind these pitfalls to avoid the unnecessary investment of time, money and energy and stay prepared for whatever the architectural market has to offer.
What mistakes should architects avoid?
1 An unclear plan for expansion
Expanding the team in the USA requires a clear plan of action that can further facilitate the smooth working of the firm. As exciting as it sounds, a lack of a comprehensible and logical plan will lead a business nowhere. There is no one-size fits all market.
Only a data-backed and methodological approach will result in a successful venture internationally as every place has different requirements and cultures. A proper plan consists of developing a timeline, enlisting goals, and analyzing resources required to fulfil the devised plan which otherwise leads to the loss of substantial amounts of money and time.
2 Going extreme with finances
The idea of expansion brings along a lot of responsibilities and new investments lead to architects overextending their finances. It is this one thing that might turn into a mistake creating difficulty in expanding in the USA.
A thorough analysis should be conducted to identify the total expenditure in expansion, what all areas require immediate attention, what can be catered to at a later stage, and if they have sufficient resources to cater to team expansion.
3 Ignoring a positive company culture
Positive company culture is a major factor that governs the growth of the company as it induces teamwork and collaboration, which is an important aspect for any business, whether in the USA or anywhere else.
It includes creating a sense of community, providing opportunities that stimulate professional development, and establishing a communication network which is easily accessible to everyone. The negligence can lead to hampered productivity and an uninspired team of people.
4 Not assigning clear roles and responsibilities
Every member of the team should be assigned specific roles and responsibilities, whenever an architect is willing to expand in the USA.
It imparts a clear understanding of goals to every team member, avoids confusion and gives a sense of surety that everyone is on the same page and working towards it. Without proper working structure, practices, and standards, the culture of the company will disintegrate.
5 Hiring incompetent team members
While hiring for the new setup in the USA, it is viable to look for people who are a perfect fit for your team and business. People with an inadequate skill set or lack of experience can result in a team that is ineffective for company growth.
The team members should also have an interest in absorbing the company culture and performing accordingly. Another considerable factor is to look for local team members as they will have better knowledge about the area and needs of the clientele rather than working with an inexperienced team unfamiliar with the surroundings.
6 Not focusing on adequate support and training
New team members should be provided with adequate training and support that helps them to understand the operational procedure of the company and coordinate better with other members. It will eventually facilitate better working and enhance the success ratio of employees. Negligence towards training or support might lead to reduced productivity and high company turnover.
7 Neglecting the time and effort required to manage a team
Expansion doesn’t happen overnight for architects in the USA. It requires a proper amount of time and effort to build BIM team that can manage different tasks assigned to them individually. An architect should be mentally prepared to invest appropriate time and energy in their team members for them to evolve and nurture.
A well-nourished team will eventually lead to a successful business.
8 Not aligning with the changing market conditions
An architect is unfamiliar with the new culture and consumer habits that come along with expanding in a new territory. Market trends and conditions evolve constantly, and to avoid problems it is necessary to be equipped with thorough research about the market conditions and latest trends.
One should adopt business strategies that align with the latest market trends and catalyze company growth while expanding in the USA. Failing to meet the latest advancements can lead to reduced competitiveness and missed opportunities.
Conclusion
Before the expansion, the focus of an architect should be on how to avoid these mistakes that will enhance the business growth and empower informed decision-making. A worthy and easily adaptable process for eliminating these mistakes is outsourcing.
It can be the answer to someone who brings to the table the knowledge of an unknown territory or to someone who can manage a task more efficiently and at lower prices than a permanent hire. Collaborating with an outsourced member can infuse expertise with an available skill set that can further fuel the process of expanding.
The provision of outsourced providers for any task as and when required is something Studio Model has to offer. Architects can gain a competitive advantage over other companies by outsourcing a skilled member with a minimal expenditure of time, money and energy.
Working with someone who is ingrained with the understanding of local needs and culture can better cater to the business and reduce the time required to finish any project. This model can facilitate outsourcing for architects and provide them with the finest in the industry.
Author Bio:
I’m Ar. Ankit Kansara, the driving force behind Virtual Building Studio as its Founder & CEO. Our mission is as crystal clear as a blueprint: we’re here to empower AEC professionals with seamlessly integrated, innovative, and cost-effective BIM modeling services. From BIM Modeling Services, MEP BIM services, and Value Engineering, we’ve got the full spectrum of BIM expertise under one