In anticipation of this event, we sat down with Rob Campbell, who will be taking participants through the art of running a profitable practice. Rob Campbell, who is a past managing partner of Campbell & Morris Associates, past convenor of the RIAS Practice Board, and currently technical adviser to the RIAS. Rob is an industry expert with a wealth of knowledge and experience that he will be sharing with attendees. 

Question: What makes "Mastering the Art of Running a Profitable Practice" CPD event unique and why should architects attend? 

Robert Campbell: I'd describe this CPD event as a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take your architecture practice to the next level. We'll be tackling some of the most crucial financial topics that architects face in a way that's fun, interactive, and applicable to real-life scenarios. If you want to know how to run a successful business whilst maintaining the highest standards of design delivery, this event is for you. We'll go beyond the basics of calculating hourly rates and project fees and delve into the mindset and strategies you need to master in order to run a truly profitable practice. Attendees will come away with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence, knowing that they don't have to sacrifice their artistic vision to achieve financial success. 

Q: What are some misconceptions about running a profitable architecture practice that you'll be addressing at the event? 

A: One of the biggest misconceptions I've heard about running a profitable architecture practice is that you have to choose between making money and making art. But that's simply not true! In fact, the most successful architects are able to balance their creative passions with sound business strategies. That's exactly what we'll be exploring at this CPD event. We'll be looking at how to plan for profitability, manage client changes, prepare robust terms of appointment, and more. Financial management can seem daunting, especially for creative types, but I promise that we'll break everything down in a way that's approachable and engaging. 

Q. If you had to describe this CPD event in one sentence that would get architects fired up and excited to attend, what would it be? 

RC. This event is a unique opportunity for architects to learn how to run a successful business while still maintaining the highest standards of design delivery. 

Q. What's the most surprising or unexpected thing that attendees will learn at this CPD event? 

RC. Attendees may be surprised by the level of detail that the event covers, such as how to calculate hourly rates for all work the practice does, how to plan for profitability, and how to manage client changes. 

Q. I notice that this event includes audience participation and "work" - can you give us a sneak peek into what that might look like? How can attendees prepare to get the most out of this interactive experience? 

RC. The event will include exercises and discussions that will allow attendees to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned. They can prepare by thinking about specific questions they may have or scenarios they have encountered in their own practices. 

Q. What can attendees expect to learn from this event? 

RC: Attendees can expect to learn a wide range of skills and knowledge that are essential for running a successful practice. These include how to calculate hourly rates for all work the practice does, how to calculate the fee for each project, how to prepare robust terms of appointment, how to plan the cashflow for the practice, how to plan for profitability, and how to manage client changes. 

Q: It sounds like there will be a lot of audience participation at the event. What should attendees expect in terms of interactive elements? 

RC: Yes, the event will involve audience participation, so attendees should come prepared to work! They will have the opportunity to engage with the content, ask questions, and participate in exercises that will help them to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.