Bringing in your commissions to the firm you are working for

[mfjay]

Hi all, I must say this forum is looking more solid than ever! kudos to all those involved. Ocay back to the topic at hand.

I have this question lingering in my head for quite some time now. Just wondering if by any chance, fate beholds you are able to get a commission to design a building while still working with someone. with potential of getting more projects from this client. My question is, how do we go about it? how do we approach the boss? what are the trade secrets involved?

This question is for all those who have gone thru this phase, or are about to, or are currently going thru it. Anyone?

[takesh h]

Not sure what you are asking... Do you want to know how to hand in your resignation?

[Pedro Barradas]

Not shure what you are asking either... but if you work for someone, what kind of contract/ agreemant you have? do you have any exclusivity clause)
Are you an architect, if so, ask your local Arch, association for a deonthological position...

[wizum]

It does sound like you are saying you have been commisioned to do some work but yet you have a full-time employment situation that this commision will be competing with? If that is the case Pedro has put forth some good questions for you to answer.

I also have found that if the work is not in competition with the work you do at your main job than I don't see any ethical issues being neccessarily involved that would keep you from doing it on your own time. It is a bit of a grey area at times and in the end you may have to determine for yourself how comfortable you feel doing it. The firm I am currently with does specific building types and has a certian market sector they market to. We have an architect who does lots of side-work that is completely outside of that market and so there is no conflict. The firm has no issue with it and it seems to work ok for everyone invovled.

Welcome to the PPB by the way and look forward to seeing your contributions.

[mfjay]

What I mean to say is this, lets say that you are a graduate architect, with some 2 years of post grad experience, havent taken part 3 yet and zero in human/capital/office resources. A friend who is working in another country and has established a clientele has approached you with some opportunities to collaborate in the field of architecture. The clients that he manages would like some to employ a firm from your country with a good track record, the reason being that your country is more developed and has more expertise etc. You being just a few years out of uni, is still not confident to running your own thing yet and furthermore doesnt meet the criteria that the client requests. The only way is to approach a firm with this oppurtunity at hand and bring that project to them.
How do we go about this? I mean making it into a win win situation? Thanks guys for posting.

[nicholas]

Originally Posted by mfjay

What I mean to say is this, lets say that you are a graduate architect, with some 2 years of post grad experience, havent taken part 3 yet and zero in human/capital/office resources. A friend who is working in another country and has established a clientele has approached you with some opportunities to collaborate in the field of architecture. The clients that he manages would like some to employ a firm from your country with a good track record, the reason being that your country is more developed and has more expertise etc. You being just a few years out of uni, is still not confident to running your own thing yet and furthermore doesnt meet the criteria that the client requests. The only way is to approach a firm with this oppurtunity at hand and bring that project to them.
How do we go about this? I mean making it into a win win situation? Thanks guys for posting.

Negotiate a percentage of the fee on top of your salary; approach the boss with the concept of I bring ex work in without revealing too many details and have a written agreement up front. if the work materialises you both know where you stand; if it doesn't you have that in place for future work and have lost nothing if you were diligent and professional with your negotiations.

Or approach another firm and try and get a new job; an emerging practice may embrance someone that can bring in additional work...

[tdmc]

first, be wary of offers from prospective clients - promises of more work etc rarely eventuate. that idea of an overseas client thinking Oz is more developed/sophisticated sounds strange and to me doesn't ring true. So just be a little wary of it.

Secondly - are you under contract/do you have an employment agreement - that may help answering your question.

Thirdly - be honest, it always works out best in the long run. Nicholas has a pretty good handle on an approach, but if I was the employer I'd be a little cautious - there's soumething about the scenario you have presented that doesn't quite make sense

[tdmc]

oh, except the bit nicholas said about approaching another firm - I think that's a little underhanded, unless you're looking for another job anyway. Again if I was the emplyoer i'd be pretty disappointed.

Remember that we are all people. You are dealing with/interacting with people (not money, jobs, businesses, but people). Ask yourself how would you like to be treated if the roles were reversed

[mfjay]

Originally Posted by takesh h

Not sure what you are asking... Do you want to know how to hand in your resignation?

Am a graduate architect

Originally Posted by Pedro Barradas

Not shure what you are asking either... but if you work for someone, what kind of contract/ agreemant you have? do you have any exclusivity clause)
Are you an architect, if so, ask your local Arch, association for a deonthological position...

what is deonthological? care to explain. many thanks!

Originally Posted by wizum

It does sound like you are saying you have been commisioned to do some work but yet you have a full-time employment situation that this commision will be competing with? If that is the case Pedro has put forth some good questions for you to answer. I also have found that if the work is not in competition with the work you do at your main job than I don't see any ethical issues being neccessarily involved that would keep you from doing it on your own time. It is a bit of a grey area at times and in the end you may have to determine for yourself how comfortable you feel doing it. The firm I am currently with does specific building types and has a certian market sector they market to. We have an architect who does lots of side-work that is completely outside of that market and so there is no conflict. The firm has no issue with it and it seems to work ok for everyone invovled.
Welcome to the PPB by the way and look forward to seeing your contributions.

No wizum the work is not in competition with the office. And I am not that fond of side working as in the long run Im afraid I would get burnt out especially if the commision is workload demanding. and thanks for the welcoming hand! been here since pushpullbar 1 but have been off radar due to personal issues.

Originally Posted by nicholas

Negotiate a percentage of the fee on top of your salary; approach the boss with the concept of I bring ex work in without revealing too many details and have a written agreement up front. if the work materialises you both know where you stand; if it doesn't you have that in place for future work and have lost nothing if you were diligent and professional with your negotiations.

Thanks nicholas, that is what I have in mind. Only concern is on the method of approach (in dealing with people-in this case the boss).

Originally Posted by tdmc

first, be wary of offers from prospective clients - promises of more work etc rarely eventuate. that idea of an overseas client thinking Oz is more developed/sophisticated sounds strange and to me doesn't ring true. So just be a little wary of it.

Originally Posted by tdmc

[i]oh, except the bit nicholas said about approaching another firm - I think that's a little underhanded, unless you're looking for another job anyway. Again if I was the emplyoer i'd be pretty disappointed.

Remember that we are all people. You are dealing with/interacting with people (not money, jobs, businesses, but people). Ask yourself how would you like to be treated if the roles were reversed

thats true tdmc, Im a bit wary myself. in the case of the client thinking Oz is more developed, I would imagine it is due to their own inferiority complex. I believe this is apparent in third world and developing countries. I love my current job. The principal is great.Thats why Iam at a crossroads in deciding the best course of action without accidentally hurting anyone in the process. a Win win situation. Currently am a contract staff. Thank you for your last advice. true to the heart!


Thanks guys for posting. let me think and ponder on this. in the meantime, anyone whos been in this situation before feel free to give advice etc. Would love to hear any precedent studies on this matter.

THANKS AGAIN!

Cheers

mfjay

[mfjay]

Originally Posted by takesh h

Not sure what you are asking... Do you want to know how to hand in your resignation?

Am a graduate architect ( sorry that was meant for pedro).
No thanks takesh h hehehe I love my current job