Land & Architectural Survey Blog

Author: Bhavesh Ramburn

  • How can a CRM Tool Help Architects Increase Their Sales

    How can a CRM Tool Help Architects Increase Their Sales

    How can a CRM Tool Help Architects Increase Their Sales

    How can a CRM Tool Help Architects Increase Their Sales

    According to a study by Salesforce, using a CRM tool can increase sales for architects by 20% (1). This is because CRM tools provide a centralized platform for managing customer relationships, which is crucial for architects who rely heavily on repeat business. By analyzing customer interactions and lead conversion rates, architects can identify areas for improvement and refine their sales process to increase conversions.

    One key way CRM tools can help architects increase sales is by improving customer relationships. By tracking interactions with customers and analyzing lead conversion rates, architects can identify opportunities to build stronger relationships and increase repeat business. For example, a study by HubSpot found that companies that invested in CRM were 26% more likely to experience a significant increase in sales (2). By leveraging CRM data to inform sales strategies, architects can create a more personalized and effective sales approach.

    Improving customer relationships is a perfect way to build more sales because a lot depends on repeat business in this business. Plus, if you analyse your interaction with customers and how you turn a lead (or prospect) into a sale, then you can improve your process to convert more people in the long run.

    Use it to gather data about your customers

    The CRM tools have metrics that can be recorded and analysed for use later. Knowing more about your customers, their buying habits and your interaction with them will help you target them in the future. A study by Customer Experience Management found that companies that used CRM were 20% more likely to experience a significant increase in customer satisfaction (3). By leveraging CRM data to inform sales strategies, architects can create a more personalized and effective sales approach. Additionally, CRM tools provide a centralized platform for tracking leads and conversions, allowing architects to refine their sales process and improve conversion rates.

    Another key benefit of CRM tools is that they make it easier for customers to engage with architects. According to a study by Microsoft, 71% of customers expect a personalized experience when interacting with a business (4). By leveraging CRM data to inform sales strategies, architects can create a more personalized and effective sales approach. Additionally, CRM tools provide a centralized platform for tracking leads and conversions, allowing architects to refine their sales process and improve conversion rates.

    It makes being a customer easier

    When a company has got its act together, it becomes easier to be a customer, and the interaction between the customer and the company becomes smoother and more pleasant for the customer, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty (Pigot, 2011). This is because a well-organized company prioritizes customer needs, fosters open communication, and ensures timely problem resolution. By doing so, it establishes trust and credibility, paving the way for long-term relationships and repeat business. Consequently, the collaboration between the customer and the company becomes more effective, allowing both parties to work towards a mutually beneficial outcome.

    Maintain frequent contact with your customers

    As architects, regular communication helps to build and maintain relationships, ensuring that your business remains relevant and attractive to your clients. Keeping in touch with your best customers is a vital aspect of business growth, as it helps to retain valuable accounts and encourages referrals. By actively engaging with your most loyal clients, you can foster a sense of belonging and appreciation, ultimately driving customer loyalty and retention.

    Use a loyalty program to reward loyal customers

    Implementing a loyalty program can be a strategic move to retain customers and encourage repeat business. A relationship-marketing platform can facilitate this process, providing a structured approach to recognizing and rewarding loyal customers. By continuously monitoring customer interactions and preferences, you can identify opportunities to personalize interactions and offer exclusive benefits, such as discounts or priority services. This can help prevent potential customers from exploring alternative options and ultimately solidify your position as their preferred vendor.

    Streamline your process for increased sales productivity

    Streamlining your sales process can significantly improve sales productivity by reducing unnecessary delays and allowing you to move customers more quickly from interest to purchase. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, companies that implement process improvements see an average increase of 10-20% in sales productivity (Source: Harvard Business Review, How to Boost Sales Productivity). By streamlining your process, you can identify areas where customers are getting stuck and address these pain points to increase sales. This can be particularly effective in industries with complex sales cycles, such as B2B software sales.

    Streamline and lower costs

    Implementing process improvements can also help lower costs and reduce prices. A study by the American Marketing Association found that companies that invested in process improvements saw an average cost savings of 15-20% (Source: American Marketing Association, The Role of Process Improvements in Driving Business Value). By streamlining your business processes, you can reduce the time spent on customer interfacing, sell cultivation, and processing, which can lead to significant cost savings. Additionally, reducing prices can increase sales volume and drive revenue growth.

    Get feedback with your CRM tools

    CRM tools can provide valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. According to a study by Gartner, companies that use CRM tools to collect and analyze customer feedback see an average increase of 10-20% in customer satisfaction (Source: Gartner, The Benefits of Using CRM to Collect and Analyze Customer Feedback). By leveraging CRM tools, you can gather data on customer interactions and preferences, which can inform process improvements and drive business growth. This is particularly effective in industries with complex customer interactions, such as financial services.

    Enable easier sharing and partnering

    CRM tools can also facilitate easier sharing and partnering between teams and partners. A study by Forrester found that companies that use CRM tools to share and collaborate with partners see an average increase of 15-20% in partnership revenue (Source: Forrester, The Benefits of Using CRM to Share and Collaborate with Partners). By leveraging CRM tools, you can streamline partner onboarding, improve communication, and drive revenue growth through joint business initiatives. This is particularly effective in industries with complex partner networks, such as technology and software.

    The integration of customer relationship tools streamlines the process of file sharing and partnering. This is made possible by the access to resources and collaboration features provided by these tools, allowing companies and individuals to work together more effectively.

    Software solutions like Contactually and Salesforce offer comprehensive customer relationship management with cloud services.

    The rise of cloud-based CRM solutions has transformed the way companies interact with their partners and customers. These platforms provide a centralized hub for managing relationships, automating tasks, and tracking key performance indicators.

    By embracing cloud-based CRM solutions and leveraging tools like Contactually and Salesforce, businesses can streamline their customer relationship management processes, improve partnership efficiency, and drive growth.

    Illustrating the benefits of cloud-based CRM solutions, a study by Velocite found that companies using cloud-based CRM solutions experience an average increase in sales revenue of 23%.

    References

  • What is a provisional sum?

    A provisional sum is a preliminary allocation of funds for a specific activity in a construction project that has not yet been fully defined. This provision is essential, as it allows for a rough estimate of costs, enabling clients to incorporate the sum into their budget. Construction projects often involve varying degrees of uncertainty, making a provisional sum a crucial component. According to a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors, the use of provisional sums can be attributed to the uncertainty in project scope, client preferences, or planning process outcomes (Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors, 2020).

    In the context of measured building surveys and topographical surveys, architects may request a provisional sum quotation to propose to their clients. This request acknowledges that the extent of the construction proposal is not always known, and a rough estimate is required to facilitate budget planning. In many cases, the client or architect is not entirely aware of the scope of the project, necessitating a ballpark figure to include in their budget. Insights from research by the Chartered Institute of Building, suggest that a significant proportion of construction projects involve the use of provisional sums due to complexity and uncertainty (Chartered Institute of Building, 2019).

    The key characteristics of a provisional sum are that it is (1) an approximate figure, (2) allocated for an undefined or variable activity, and (3) not part of the scope for deliverables until instructed to proceed by the client. When a provisional sum is instructed, the architect or surveyor will confirm the scope and price (if any changes are made) and proceed accordingly. In this phase, the client is responsible for allocating funds to the itemised provisional sum (Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors, 2020).

    It is essential to note that clients do not need to pay for provisional sums in the contract as they are not defined as deliverables. This aspect of provision sums should be clearly outlined in the quotation to prevent misunderstandings. A commonly cited concern is the practice of ‘fudging’ the provisional sum value, presenting it as part of a lump sum without intending to deliver the associated items (Chartered Institute of Building, 2019).

    To avoid confusion, clients should ensure that provisional sums are itemized in the quotation, making it easier to identify the relevant amounts when applying for fees. It is also worth highlighting that contractors, surveyors, and designers will not need to deliver the provisional sum until instructed to proceed by the client. In any case, ensure accurate budget planning and scope definition to prevent unnecessary costs or lost opportunities. MCS, for instance highlights budget maintenance in project rollout as a good practice.

    Provisional sums serve an essential purpose in the construction industry, providing a preliminary estimate and facilitating budget planning. While they require careful management to avoid misunderstandings, their utility cannot be overstated (Royal Institution of Chartered surveyors, 2020).

    Remember to request itemized quotations and clearly outline the provisional sum provision and scope in your budget planning.

    From here you can get a quote for a measured building survey from us by contacting us at info@icelabz.co.uk.

    References

    • What is a Section Plan?

      Definition

      A section plan is a 2D drawing of your house, showing it from all angles vertically. It’s a bird’s eye view of your home, from the side (well..through the house). It also shows the interior and exterior walls.

      Section plan is a type of drawing that shows the internal features of a property.

      The section plan is usually combined with other plans on a measured building survey.

      Section plans are used by architects to get an idea of the height of internal floors and features on the wall.

      Section plans can be produced from floor plans and elevations, but it may take longer for someone who has not visited the house.

      Section plans are usually drawn in the middle of the property’s staircase.

      Section plans are used to communicate with builders or renovators to show what work needs to be done.

      Some Examples

    • A section plan is a graphic representation of a building or object, usually in cross-section.
    • A section plan can be used to show the arrangement of different rooms, spaces and/or levels within an interior environment.
    • You can use a section plan for your own home or for any other building or vehicle you might want to see in details

      • Here are some examples of a section plan:

      It is important to note (to avoid confusion):

      The difference between an elevation and a section is that the elevation shows the external vertical plan of the building and the section shows the internal.

      Sample Section plan in PDF:


      MB-SURV-BR-SECA-001
      Download

      How to Draw a Section Plan

      There are a few different ways to create a section plan. One common method is by hand, but it’s also possible to use software such as AutoCAD or SketchUp. To start, you’ll need to draw a 2D line drawing of your house.

    • You would want to start to draw up all your floor plans first so that you can get the layout and vertical dimensions (room height, door height and windows).
    • Once you’re done you have to draw your section line and which direction you need to draw.
    • then you would want to start aligning the floors against your section so that you can draw your internal of your house, then your height of each floor.
    • Then the hardest part is what you see from the section line. Check out the examples above to give you an idea of what features to pick

      • Then you can add labels and dimension lines on the house plans to indicate height, depth, and width as well as material types and construction details. Labels are useful for showing the location of rooms and other features on your building as well as giving an overview of any special structural elements that might be present in your home (such as trusses).

      Interior design

      How to read or draw a section plan.

      How to read or draw a section plan.

      A section plan is a drawing that shows the cross-section of a building. It can be drawn to show all of the floors, or it can show just one floor.

      A section plan is different from an elevation, which shows an outside view of your house. A section plan shows how your house looks from inside or underneath it.

      Understanding Section Plans

      A section plan is a valuable resource for understanding your house’s construction, offering insights into its internal layout and materials used.

      A section plan provides a detailed drawing of a house in cross-section, showcasing how the house is built from the foundation to the roof.

      • The layout of each room in your house
      • Materials used within each room, such as wood, stone, and metal
      • How different parts of the house connect together, like walls with floors

      Still confused about section plans?

      Take a look at an article on elevations for further understanding.

  • What is a floor plan?

    A floor plan is a detailed drawing that provides a visual representation of the features on a specific floor of a property. In the context of a measured building survey, a floor plan includes all fixed features, such as room dimensions, windows, doors, and ceiling beams, as well as height information (Source: Authentic Property Survey). This type of floor plan is essential for planning permission and construction drawings, as it provides accurate measurements and layouts (Source: The RICS). The floor plan is a crucial component of a measured building survey, which involves measuring the property’s dimensions, layout, and features using specialized equipment (Source: Ratcliffe Property Surveyors).

    Unlike estate agent floor plans, which are typically produced for marketing purposes and lack accuracy, measured building survey floor plans are designed to meet specific needs and requirements (Source: The National House-Building Council). These plans are created using specialized equipment, such as FARO 3D scanners or Leica Total Stations, which allow surveyors to capture precise measurements and layouts (Source: FARO Systems). As a result, measured building survey floor plans are more accurate and comprehensive than those produced by estate agents

    Figurative 1: A screenshot of a floor plan produced from a measured building survey. This image shows the level of detail and accuracy that is achievable using specialized equipment and survey techniques. Note the precise measurements and layouts, as well as the inclusion of features such as windows, doors, and ceiling beams (Source: Authentic Property Survey). To better understand the potential cost and time implications of measured building surveys, consider the following:

    Measured building surveys using specialist equipment can be more expensive, typically ranging from £250 to £1000 per week to hire (Source: Ratcliffe Property Surveyors). Additionally, these surveys can take longer to complete than estate agent floor plans, as the equipment and techniques used require more time and expertise. However, the resulting floor plans are more accurate and comprehensive, making them an indispensable tool for planning permission and construction drawings

    To illustrate the level of accuracy and detail that can be achieved using measured building surveys, consider the use of equipment such as FARO 3D scanners. These scanners can capture precise measurements and layouts, and are capable of producing high-quality floor plans in a relatively short amount of time (Source: FARO Systems). Overall, measured building survey floor plans offer a level of accuracy and detail that is unmatched by estate agent floor plans, making them an essential component of planning permission and construction drawings

    References

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