One of my friends was struggling to describe what he does. He needed a simple, compact phrase to use when meeting people or at networking events, one that explained quickly and clearly the range of things he can do for them.
The problem: a lot of experience and no short answer
I suggested he write down, in long form, everything that comes within his capabilities. That meant everything he would normally list for people when they ask what he can do for them.
I then used Clarity to analyse it and produce a simple summary he could use.
Before: the long-form description
I am an award winning semi retired Architect who had as been helping people with their property requirements for many many years.
This involved me in the field of hospitals, hospices, commercial and industrial, social housing and perhaps more importantly private individuals and their families with extensions to their existing homes.
The largest project we were involved in was £500m the smallest £5k!
My thoughts are that the key to a successful outcome is to digging deep to understand what the clients priorities are and then work in depth to provide it. More often than not it is not a glossy award but simply a project that is fit for purpose, finishes on time and on cost!
As a result of working with and learning from developers, I have developed from them the way to approach a piece of land or building that would end up providing the maximum returns. Sometimes I am involved in the “Architecture”, sometimes not. One example is we worked with an amateur football club to relocate and helped them achieve £1.8m for their land with minimal design input.
So who and how can I help?
Need an extension to your home or work place and need help with the process
Need a site for relocation, expansion or development?
Need an appraisal on a scheme that isn’t viable
Your site isn’t attracting buyers
Has Head Office tasked you with procuring new facilities, and you have to do this as well as your current workload? We can take the pressure off!
Have you had planning or an appeal refused? Great, we know what we need to put right!
Have you a building you are unsure what to do with?
What’s my site or building worth?
Need a set of information that, when the contractor prices it, he doesn’t have to add on a hefty contingency to cover a potential risk.
Success for me is when a client says “I hadn’t thought of that”.
Each point is worth saying. Together, they are too much for anyone to take in over a coffee at a networking event.
After: the Clarity summary
I’m an award-winning architect and property strategist. I help homeowners, businesses and developers shape their design and build a viable project plan for a site or building, from feasibility and planning through to delivery, so it’s fit for purpose, approvable, and completed on time and on budget.
His response: “Amazing”.
How to try this yourself
The method works for any owner who finds it hard to explain what they do:
Write it all down. List everything you do, who you do it for and the problems you solve. Do not edit as you go.
Ask for a short version. Have Clarity turn the long version into a sentence or two.
Say it out loud. If it sounds like you, use it. If it does not, adjust the wording until it does.
The time saved is the hours of working out how to say it. The angst saved is the moment someone asks what you do and you have a clear answer ready.