Topic: Gain a better understanding of your firm’s finances with Rick J. Linley, author of Scoreboard Your Practice: 7 Numbers to Understand Your Design Firm’s Financials 

About:  Are you an architect, engineer, interior designer, landscape architect, planner, or other design professional? Do you currently lead or aspire to lead a small or midsized design firm? Do you want to know just enough about financials to effectively manage your practice-but not much more? Then you'll want to know the unique, and surprisingly simple approach to financials taken in Scoreboard Your Practice. Join Rick as he discusses his book and find clarity around your own firm’s finances and financial goals.

For example: The sole principal of a strong ten-person firm pays herself a salary of $140,000. Her team does outstanding work and they're well paid. She started the practice nine years ago and has no debt. After retentions for the future, profit sharing for the team, and corporate taxes, she receives another $240,000 in pre-tax profits annually. To top it all off, the firm is worth about $2,000,000. 

Once you've read Scoreboard Your Practice, you'll understand the underlying financials of a firm like the one described above. You'll gain a clear understanding of your own firm's numbers.

The book is intentionally brief — information is presented in an accessible, concise format accompanied by infographics. Scoreboard Your Practice will become an essential resource, offering you a shortcut to take control of your financials and guide your firm toward a thriving future.

Rick Linley, architect, author & consultant at Strong Practice Strategies 

An architect by profession, I've spent over 30 years in project and practice management. I held various responsibilities as a member of the leadership team that evolved Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Inc.into one of Canada’s most highly respected and profitable multidisciplinary firms. Now known as Architecture49.  As Chief Operating Officer I was responsible for the integrated operations of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, interior design and landscape professional services. As a member of the executive team, I helped pilot the firm through both organic growth and acquisitions. As a Principal I led multiple high profile projects. Retirement from practice in 2013 was outstanding. However after a year of travel and catching up with family, I got a bit restless and returned to my passion … practice building.

I'm excited to be coaching and guiding emerging and evolving design firms...helping them to grow stronger, better able to make meaningful contributions to the built environment. Ensuring the owners of those firms are compensated for their scope of responsibility, and the high value they provide to their clients.