A project is a one-time activity (temporary event) aimed at creating certain products or providing services. The design organization is engaged exclusively in the implementation of any projects. It is worth saying that the main expenses of such an organization fall on staff salaries.
The profession of an engineer has always been one of the most highly qualified and complex. But in our time, things are no longer so rosy. Now experienced professional worker engineering specialty is not highly valued. And although a true master of engineering will always find his employer in the labor market, highly qualified, successful specialists and engineers very often think about starting their own business.
The organization of such a project is not an easy task, although it is profitable. It doesn't matter if you're new to this issue or already an experienced person, you should start with the development own business plan taking into account all expenses, expected profit, payback and prospects.
Decide on a specialization.
Examples of design organizations: developers and directors software, design institutes, design and design bureaus, consulting and audit companies, etc. The unifying feature of the whole variety of design organizations is that the main share of their expenses falls on the maintenance of the company's personnel - the project team.
The project is fixed in the form of a research report, design or technological documentation, advertising company, other things. But, as mentioned above, the main item of expenditure is the equipment and the project team itself.
Depending on the type of project work performed, your organization will have its own specialization. And it already depends on what projects you will carry out. Let's find out what design organizations generally exist. Quick answer: customized and standard. According to building codes and rules (SNiP 1.02.01-85), with individual design, a design and estimate documentation and documentation is being prepared in one stage (working draft), or in two (draft, working documentation).
Typical means, among other things, the development individual solutions and any regulatory documents. Whether you are designing in the field of construction, architecture or technology, conducting engineering surveys or exercising construction control over the performance of work, you will need a license. As for profitability, it is about 20-30%.
We get a license.
Determining the scope project activities of your enterprise, it is necessary to take into account profitability, profitability, market competition, ease of implementation and organization of this type of business for a beginner.
Engage in exploration work to account for complexes for their implementation, protection environment and natural resources - the most cost-effective option. But there is nothing for a newcomer to do in such a market, so let's look in the direction of licensing a business related to construction. There are also many competitors here, but the profit is considerable, and most importantly, this is a real option for a young company.
Suppose you have defined the scope of your project company as a construction, i.e. planning to engage in design in the construction of residential buildings, industrial buildings and structures, repair and finishing works. According to the law, a legal entity or an individual businessman, i.e., can obtain a license for such a business. an individual who is registered as a private entrepreneur in the tax office.
License for this species activities issues State Committee on construction and housing and communal complex of the Russian Federation. The license is issued for the first time for three years, and for the second time - for a period of five years. This authorization document will list the types of work allowed for your organization. Restrictions on some activities (for beginners) are lifted after a few months. The list of licensed works can be expanded over time.
Such licenses can be obtained either by a legal entity or by an individual, for example, a private entrepreneur. In order for the application for obtaining a license to be satisfied, your organization must meet a number of requirements: the presence of at least two design specialists, and at least one of them must be a full-time employee with at least three years of work experience in the specialty, the presence of computer equipment with licensed programs on the company's balance sheet.
To obtain a license, we provide notarized copies of the following documents: Certificate of registration of the enterprise, Charter of the enterprise, certificate of the Inspection of Taxation on registration, certificate from the State Statistics Committee on the assignment of codes, memorandum of association(if any), certificate of changes in the above documents (if any).
Also prepare information about the actual address (a copy of the lease agreement or certificate of ownership), contact numbers, bank details, staffing, for qualification certificates - copies of diplomas and passports certified by the seal of the enterprise.
After preparing a package of documents and submitting it to the Federal Licensing Center, they are tested within two to three weeks. To facilitate the process of obtaining a license, law firms will help you, which will collect a package of documents and deliver it to the authority.
If in founding documents any changes were made, then this must be notarized and also provided. You also need a current account and bank details, the actual address to which the enterprise is assigned, as well as the contact number of the governing body. Next comes the qualification composition, with such items as full name, education, work experience. To obtain qualification certificates, these documents must be submitted in the form of photocopies with the company's seal. You will also need a photocopy of the certificate of ownership and a lease agreement for the premises.
The step-by-step submission of documents looks like this:
We collect documents;
We pay the necessary payments;
We submit documents to the Federal Licensing Center;
We get a license.
As soon as the full package of documents has been submitted, they are checked. We are waiting for the decision of the inspection in two or three weeks, negative or positive. It is difficult to obtain a license for this type of activity, but the point is not that you need to meet the requirements that apply to the project business. You need to be prepared for extremely long and expensive processes for obtaining a license, although by law in any case economic activity for building design must be licensed. If you do not have experience with such red tape with documents, it is best to find law firm. Specialists will correctly and quickly collect and execute all the documents necessary for delivery.
So, the opening of the design office.
Organization with limited liability(LLC) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) with a model charter is best suited for the project area as a legal form. An LLP is, in principle, an organization of an economic type, when the monetary and in-kind form of legal and individuals develops. This is the easiest way to register, but does not mean that it is the easiest. We consider all the nuances before submitting documents - this is important, including in terms of taxation. The simplified declaration is the most sparing mode in this case. It is best to at least get the advice of a notary public before registering the enterprise yourself, if you do not want to turn to third-party intermediaries. The lawyer will select a suitable course of action for you and tell you about the problems that may arise in the future.
You need to focus on finding the best location for your office. The most acceptable option is to place an office in a residential area with a nearby car park. The absence of crowded streets with traffic jams on the way to your office is a definite plus in terms of customer convenience. The city center is unreasonably expensive to rent both premises and parking, and do not forget about the congestion of the streets during working hours.
Make it a pleasure for visitors to be inside. More space is needed - from 50-60 sq. meters. No need to go into frills - it will do open space with small partitions or even a standard with division into cabins, or simply open space workplace.
Make sure that the reception area has enough comfortable seating - preferably a sofa and some cozy chairs. There is also a table in the reception area where visitors can drink tea or coffee offered to them. In the past, heading for design organization, the visitor imagined exclusively government agency with a minimum of amenities, but now the level of service is a fairly large layer of success for each company.
In a presentation room, you most likely cannot do without a projector and a screen. Take into account in advance such an item of expenditure as office furniture and equipment: computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, etc. It also does not hurt to have paper versions of special technical and regulatory literature. Although such specialized literature has been on the net for a long time, paper copies remain no less a convenient tool in work.
The main item of expenses of design organizations is personnel costs. That is why, as well as for further development as much as possible quality projects, you need to pay special attention to staffing. If your field is structural engineering, you will need: Chief Engineer, chief architect (with a license from the Union of Architects), a number of design specialists. Must have a profile higher education and at least three years of work experience. If we are talking about a leadership position, then this is already 5-10 years. The license of the Unions of Architects is an important item in the resume of the chief architect. Having recruited a staff, carry out pre-licensing training of all personnel with the obligatory issuance of a qualified certificate. Now you can get to work.
The company's success in a world of constant competition is built on experienced employees with excellent qualifications. But how to lure them to your company? A good option is to offer a salary higher than in other organizations. So it turns out that the most expense item when opening a project company is wage.
Design organization: promotion.
When developing a marketing campaign, consider the specifics of the business. And although construction services are in high demand, they do not enjoy a stir among customers. So the standard methods of advertising will not work. You can, of course, try to be printed in special building catalogs in your city. However, in modern world The main platform for advertising is the Internet. Your own website will become your calling card. There should be not only articles on the topic and information about services, but the site itself needs to be promoted by search engines. It is better to entrust this to a specialist. Groups in in social networks- a good additional option, but only an additional one, because there will not be very many of your specific target audience.
Not if you should not expect an influx of customers from traditional advertising, then another tradition in any trade - recommendations - is an important element of success. It is clear that at the beginning there is no one to recommend you and for nothing, and you will have to get out with ordinary advertising. However, over time, if you pay enough attention to your customers and the quality of your services, word of mouth will work in full force.
Designing in the modern world, you can not do without competitors. In addition to the fund for the wages of employees, a large part Money will go to advertising and distribution of your services. Accept it as a fact that even if you have the best people in your firm, you will also need connections. Finding and maintaining relationships with high-profile individuals is an important aspect practiced by many companies. This also requires special workers.
Now let's talk about the cost of your services. To begin with, we analyze the prices for the same services from competitors. Lowering your own prices is not the most brilliant way out. This will not only hit your pocket, but will also lead to price dumping, although customers will be satisfied. But you also need to overestimate the prices for your services justifiably, because the client must understand what he overpays for. Quality and best result are quite persuasive arguments.
Design organization: expense and income.
Room rental, from 30 thousand rubles per month;
Recruitment and search of personnel, from 10 thousand per month. This implies the salary of recruiters, posting vacancies on special sites;
Salary for specialists, from 100 thousand rubles per month, and it depends on the city, region, qualifications of employees;
Equipment and interior - from 100 thousand rubles;
Registration of a package of documents for work - from 70 thousand rubles;
Other costs - depending on the situation and your requirements.
As you can see, to open your own design office, in any case, you need a large start-up capital if you are aiming for large orders. Therefore, cases of partnership are quite frequent - participants invest money and subsequently receive a share of the profit as a percentage.
If we talk about profit, then it should be expected in 8-12 months, since this type of activity is extremely profitable. It is difficult to name the amount, because it also depends on the initial investment, the size of orders and the abilities of the new company, and other factors. Entrepreneurs already working in this area name amounts from 300 thousand rubles and more.
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The most obvious beginning of the design activity for contemporaries is the creation of pyramids and other majestic structures. Most likely, this is not the case, and projects as a phenomenon arose much earlier. And their history is the same age as the earth's civilization. Today there are many types of project activities. Construction and renovation of your own house, Scientific research, space flights, state modernization, educational programs, 2018 FIFA World Cup. In a word, do not count. A business project is a special category of projects, they are used only by commercial companies for the purpose of future profit.
The essence of projects in business
Projects as a means of solving business problems are closely related to the company's strategy. The result of any developed strategy, brought to the tactical level, is a plan of strategic measures. Based on this plan, a portfolio of enterprise projects is being developed. And only then does it become possible and necessary to organize individual business projects. This is the typical logic of transferring the strategy to the level of practical implementation.
What is the essence of the task set by the company's management? The essence of understanding the project is determined by three points included in its definition.
- The company has localized goals that it intends to achieve.
- The management of the enterprise sets time limits to achieve this goal.
- Achieving a goal involves a non-repetitive activity (not the usual production of products or services). The prescribed activity is unique.
Business projects are understood as the activities of a commercial organization with the aim of creating unique products or services under budgetary and time constraints. Projects in the business sector bear the features of business tasks. That is, pursuing specific goals, they serve to achieve the desired results, directly or indirectly aimed at making a profit in the future.
Almost all business tasks are unique and are divided into two large groups: cyclically reproducible tasks, classified as business processes, and unique tasks - those same projects. The more experience the company has gained in the implementation of certain projects, the lower the level of their uniqueness, the more they gravitate towards processes. The development of business processes just gives the result when a once unique task enters the cycle.
This happens quite often. Let's take an example. It is more profitable to create and replicate a branch network on the basis of the described business processes “Opening a branch of a company”. However, it can be said with certainty that the company that adopted the branch network development strategy opened the first three branches in the form of business projects. And only when the creation of all three divisions was completed, the management had a desire to reduce project budgets, describe the accumulated experience, and put the procedure on stream. On this basis, the development of a new business model and the description of the corresponding process are carried out.
Types and place of projects in the company
We have already noted that the essence of business projects is well revealed through strategic model implementation of the development of the company. The strategy “goes down” thanks to the BSC tools to the grass-roots processes of the main production, passing through the middle zone, called “Programs and Development Projects”. Inside the main production there is an option to deploy the so-called "Design production", which is a specific certain types business. An idea of the architecture of such a translation strategic plan The Strategy Implementation Pyramid, presented below, will help you to draw up.
Pyramid of the implementation of the strategy of a commercial organization
Thus, there are two main forms of projects in business: development projects and contract projects (also called project production). The first category represents more unique development challenges. To solve them, completely heterogeneous resources are used, the tasks for which are not set at the portfolio level. On the contrary, it is important to provide each project with sufficient resources and its implementation in business structures (organizational, financial and informational). Here are some examples of such projects:
- entering new markets;
- launching new products or services;
- scaling production;
- marketing campaigns;
- internal projects related to the reorganization or implementation of IT systems;
- mergers and acquisitions.
The essence of contract projects is determined by the industry of the company. Project-based manufacturing represents those companies that make money by implementing projects as ways to create a product. They create portfolios of orders, plan individual projects within them. It is important for such manufacturing firms to manage not individual projects, but at the portfolio level. For them, it is of great importance how planned and optimized the resources are, the performers of the tasks. A feature of this form is the homogeneity of resources, since they are of a production nature. Examples are:
- construction companies;
- IT firms;
- small-scale and piece production;
- consulting business.
Business project management
It should be noted right away that often even experienced businessmen confuse the concepts of a project and a business plan. This should be dealt with, otherwise difficulties will arise later. Which of these two concepts is "chicken" and which is "eggs"? Naturally, the project is primary, and the business plan is secondary.
In other words, it is possible to draw up a business plan only after the project to open a new business or a new line of activity has been launched. On the contrary, it won't work. The result of the project is, for example, new business, and the result of planning is the development of the Business Plan document as a justification for launching the project for investors and the customer.
Writing a business plan means completing a step in the planning process that is part of a project management system. What else is included in business project management besides planning? As a system of applying knowledge, skills, methods and technologies to a unique task, management serves the purpose of meeting the expectations of project participants. The structure of this system includes at least seven components.
- Project initiation.
- Charter preparation.
- Selection and appointment of PM.
- Planning.
- Organization of performance.
- Monitoring and control.
- Completion of the project.
It is worth noting that the second and third list items are not considered as separate management processes in the PMBOK PMI guide. Nevertheless, the preparation of the charter and the appointment of a project manager, especially in Russian conditions, are very important positions in the implementation of a unique development task. The interaction of management processes has a rather complex architecture of connections, its work flow diagram is presented to your attention below.
Diagram of the interaction of project management processes
This diagram shows the five main groups of processes initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing. The structure of connections between them allows different interpretations. And no matter what the scale of the project, it may be small, but in any case, its leader will face the need to more or less act according to the presented model. Otherwise, the creation of the project as a regulated and productive task may fail.
The success criteria for project management depend on three key parameters: the content, constraints, and risks of the project. The structure of the project is determined by the correctness of the chosen goals, effective organization management, technical and resource support for the task. The larger the project, the more complex it is, the higher the importance of the management component and technical and resource support. These two components complement each other.
In this article, we managed to delineate projects in commercial organizations from other types of projects and business plans. Thus, misconceptions existing in practice are dispelled. We examined the main essential points, concepts and contents of the project task, confirmed the obligatory nature of its connection with the company's strategy as a way to develop activities with a given target setting. In addition to the essence of the project as such, a system of management processes consisting of seven main components is briefly presented. All this allows the reader to tune in to the fundamentals of project management and move on with the basic understanding received.
The services of architects are currently in high demand. Despite this fact, the market continues to be in dire need of them.
The situation in which demand far exceeds supply indicates only one thing: many specialists need to take on the business plan of an architectural bureau and develop it, since this promising and sought-after occupation can bring considerable income.
In the coming years, this area will be actively expanded. And this is due to the construction boom in all Russian regions. A similar trend was reflected in the ready-made business market.
In order to properly organize your own business, you first need to draw up a business plan for an architectural bureau, carefully analyzing the range of all proposed services. The wider the range of work performed, the more requests from customers can be expected, of course, provided that only qualified specialists will deal with them. But this is not the only criterion for future success.
The easiest way to start developing such a business as architectural and project Bureau, professionals who are familiar with this type of activity firsthand. Equally important is experience with skills, as well as a good reputation and the existence of an already established customer base. 
The architectural and urban planning bureau must be registered as a legal entity. This must be done in order to obtain the appropriate license allowing for design, repair, as well as finishing or construction work.
Before opening a design organization from scratch, it is necessary to draw up a business plan for an architectural bureau.
In the event that the leader professional engineer and he already has a license for individual activity, then it is not necessary to obtain another permit for the organization he created.
Business specifics
Basically, the architectural bureau offers its clients the following services:
Design project with accompanying documentation;
Development of a draft proposal, which includes the style concept of the interior;
Project documentation and engineering drawings;
Coordination of redevelopment in the relevant authorities with subsequent changes in plans;
Completion of the object with furniture and various finishing materials.
As a rule, the bulk of clients come to an architectural and design bureau with an order to develop an interior design for their property, in the future choosing services such as coordination, construction and architectural supervision.
The business plan of the architectural bureau involves a separate payment for each of the activities.
Today, standard prices have already been formed in companies that work with residential real estate. For example, the development of the entire interior in an apartment today costs about fifty conventional units for each square meter, a design project - about two hundred, and you will have to pay about a thousand USD for architectural supervision. e. per month.
Income
Those who are interested in the question of how to open an engineering firm are probably also concerned about profitability this business. I must say that experts estimate the profitability of this type of activity, as a rule, at two hundred percent, and in some cases even several times more. 
In this case, we are talking specifically about the work of architects and designers. In addition, additional income for those who know how to open a design office is also brought by work with building materials, which is formed due to a thirty percent trade margin on the wholesale price or through intermediary profits received directly from sellers whose products the company recommends to its customers.
Implementation repair work also applies to sufficient profitable areas this business. Most architectural and design bureaus have at their disposal several partner construction teams, from which certain remuneration for mediation is transferred to them.
An equally profitable direction of this business is the complete provision of the client with various exclusive items for design, which are bought from famous artists or created by employees.
Required documents
As a rule, the secrets of how to open a design organization from scratch are known primarily to professionals who already have good reputation in this area of business and have gathered an impressive circle of regular customers. the federal law, which regulates architectural activity in the Russian Federation, clearly regulates all issues related to the development of engineering projects.
It also defines the legal aspects for the work of architects. A legal organization carrying out such activities must have an appropriate license giving the right to carry out both design and repair and construction work.
The applicant for this permit must meet all the criteria established by law. An important role in this is played by the qualifications of the staff of specialists, as well as their production experience. Each organization, in accordance with the regulation on conducting ongoing supervision, during the validity period of the license, is repeatedly checked by the relevant authority issuing this permit. These are the State Foreign Department Expertise, the State Architectural Supervision Authority and the State Housing Inspectorate.
Company office
As a rule, before opening a design company, you need to rent at least a small office with an area of up to one hundred square meters, which has a separate entrance and preferably located in one of the prestigious areas. Naturally, the room should be very bright. The office will need to be equipped with furniture and modern computer technology that meets the needs of the business.
Design is a complex and multifaceted task that requires high qualifications and special equipment. How do companies represented in this market live? How much money does this job bring in? On these and other topics, we talked with Alexei Shchukin, director of Region LLC, whose projects are implemented throughout Russia.
One line:
- Company name: LLC "Region"
- Region of registration and work: registered in St. Petersburg, operates throughout Russia
- Direction of activity: Design of buildings and structures, including treatment facilities water supply and sanitation, engineering networks.
- Launch date: 2012
- Approximate investment amount: 2,000,000 rubles
- Number of employees: 13 people
- Head: Schukin Alexey Vladimirovich
- Life credo: Work for the result
Interview
Hello Alexey! What is your firm doing?
Good afternoon Our company is engaged in the design of buildings and structures, including water supply and sewerage treatment facilities, engineering networks.
We implement the full cycle of the project: from data collection to support during commissioning. In this regard, the company performs all related work: pre-project survey and measurements of reconstructed objects, engineering surveys, conceptual architectural modeling, so that the customer can see on paper what he has in mind.
What services do you provide to clients?
Our experts design everything that can be built. IN currently the main projects that we have implemented and are proud of are water supply and sanitation facilities, as well as engineering networks. On the other hand, among the successfully completed orders are tasks for the development of warehouses, sports centers, a children's health camp and other facilities.
Alexey, tell us how your business was created? What were you doing before registering your own company?
Previously, I worked as an employee in various design organizations. Actually, I started out as a draftsman, and first rose through the ranks to the chief specialist of the construction department of the specialized design institute. Then I wanted new heights, and I went to the Chief Project Engineer in private company. Well, then a colleague called me to develop a project direction in a large construction company.
To improve business processes, design was separated into a separate organization. Knowing my zeal and pressure, the owners of the company gave me full carte blanche, and now the company is completely in my hands. I not only coordinate the current work, but also carry out strategic planning, development of the organization.
What are the features for opening a design company? Is special education, licenses required?
Indeed, creating such a business is more difficult than opening an ordinary one. outlet or copy someone else's franchise concept. It is required to obtain permission from the SRO (self-regulatory organization) for design work that affects the safety of buildings and structures. At the moment, we have 4 such tolerances, which can be found directly on the site:
http://dc-region.ru/licenzii
Tell us how your business has developed? What difficulties did you face?
Indeed, business is developing in leaps and bounds, which is due to the peculiarities of our market. It all started very optimistically, the main customer was actively growing, and the volume of his tasks was growing. However, now the partners are having some difficulties, and this has had a certain impact on us. But over the course of several months, we managed to get out of difficult situation and take a strong position in the market. First of all, this is due to the high level of qualification that our team possesses.
In your opinion, what qualities should a head of a design company have?
In my opinion, this is a symbiosis of skills related to management and understanding of what the staff is doing. First, there are high professional quality, that is, a wide range of specialties. The leader must know everything and try everything. Secondly, it is the ability to assemble a team capable of performing assigned tasks. Thirdly, stress resistance, since many complex and ambiguous situations arise during work. Finally, another important quality is the ability to see the entire project as a whole and instantly break it down into subtasks and find pitfalls.
Alexey, how much money did it take to start a business?
Investments amounted to about 2,000,000 rubles, which went to the organization of the work process, the purchase of equipment, etc.
How many employees do you need to run a successful company?
This is a rhetorical question, since it depends on the number of current tasks. For example, a complete project consists of at least 12-25 sections, each of which requires at least one specialist. The staff of my company mainly consists of leading specialists and project managers, and for a specific task we assemble an “implementation group”. It can consist of both my employees and involved persons.
What legal form did you choose and why? What system of taxation is suitable for work? Were there any difficulties in registering a company (interaction with government bodies etc.)?
We have chosen such an organizational and legal form as "Limited Liability Company", as it is easy to register. We work with VAT, because simplified system taxation, it is unprofitable for many builders to cooperate, and there are restrictions on the amount of working capital. There were no difficulties with registration: it seems to me that opening your own company with technical side Now it's just like never before.
How quickly did the investment pay off? Do you have to invest in the development of the company now? Do you send your employees to advanced training courses?
As I noted, the start of the business was very vigorous, so it was possible to return the invested funds quite quickly. Now I have plans to send my employees to advanced training courses. Personnel must be grown and trained - this is my conviction. A rare university is able to provide a specialist who will understand what he will have to work with. But now the task number 1 is to reach a steady growth, to ensure a significant level of free funds, which will allow you to dispose of them at your discretion.
Alexei, is it difficult to find an employee for permanent job?
This question always causes a storm of emotions: it is very difficult to find a specialist, there are few intelligent people, students immediately leave the walls of alma matter with the appetites of the main specialist. Unfortunately, the institute's training is very weak, and we need to improve the level of the new master.
How long does it take to train a good specialist?
To grow a more or less worthy worker, you need from 1 to 3 years. However, by this time, the quality criteria will rise, because the concept of a “good specialist” is very philosophical, there is no limit to perfection. At the same time, the speed of preparation strongly depends on how much a person wants to grow and what he is ready to do for his advancement.
Are they ready to handle the tasks immediately after university, or do they need additional training?
My opinion is that not a single student after university is ready to do the amount of work that an experienced master does. Another problem is the lack of initiative and readiness among specialists to make responsible decisions. Therefore, additional training allows you to rebuild on new tracks related to real activities.
Alexey, tell us about the features of the business in the field of design. How tough is the competition?
At the moment, competition is very tough, the market is characterized by unstable prices and a wide range of service costs. Construction and design depends on many factors, ranging from the general economic situation in the country to local conditions. Looking at the market public procurement or open tenders, then the price drop in some cases may not even be 50%, but up to 70%! In my opinion, the issue of the procurement system is a separate issue. You can compete with similar organizations only when your company offers a quality product to the customer.
Which competitive advantages Are you using to win a client?
In my opinion, this is the level of qualification: still at the stage of preparation commercial offer it is necessary to make it clear to the customer that it is we who will provide the required result. Everyone likes when someone else does all the important things for him - that's exactly what we do. The water supply and sewerage system, like other areas of design, is a complex engineering and environmental area in which very few specialists remain. Now it requires both economic knowledge and skills in order to attract investment in this area.
Who do you work with - individuals or legal entities?
We mainly work with corporate clients, among which - developers, builders, production. I can single out municipalities and administrations of cities and settlements as a separate line. Several times we have designed cottages for individuals, so this category of clients is also important to us.
How many projects has your company completed? Are there any achievements that you are proud of?
During our work, we have completed dozens of projects, the most interesting and significant among them:
- Reconstruction of the equalizer tank of the sludge disposal shop of the PBO OJSC Arkhangelsk PPM, Novodvinsk;
- Reconstruction of water treatment facilities in the city of Kingisepp up to 40,000 cubic meters of liquid per day;
- Development of sewage treatment facilities with a capacity of 2,500 cubic meters per day with a concentrated discharge into the Primorskaya Bay of the Kaliningrad Bay.
How to increase the company's earnings - work with a narrow circle of regular customers or constantly look for new customers?
Each company independently chooses a model for itself, however, in my opinion, it is necessary to constantly be on the lookout for new customers. After all, they evaluate the company objectively and independently, rightly pointing out certain shortcomings. At the same time, you must always be loyal to regular customers and implement projects of any size for a regular customer, both large and very small.
Alexey, how many projects are your employees able to prepare in a month (per year)? Is there a seasonality when taking orders?
As I noted, the management system and the level of training of our team allows us to implement projects of various sizes, including large and ambitious tasks. Due to the full range of works, from the collection of initial data, inspection, engineering surveys to project support at all stages (including commissioning), we optimize the customer's costs. That is why our company is ready to provide competitive price with a high level of quality and consolidated responsibility for the result. I also note that there is no seasonality in the work.
How do you attract new clients? What advertising sources are currently the most effective?
It is too early to talk about the effectiveness of advertising, but the main sources are old contacts. We constantly participate in exhibitions to establish contacts and connections, and put a strong emphasis on promotion through the Internet. However, advertising of services related to design is very specific, because it is not retail, where hundreds of units of goods can be sold per day.
Do you work mainly with companies from your region, or are you ready to fulfill orders for remote clients as well?
Our company is not tied to any particular city, we strive to cover the widest possible market. At the moment LLC "Region" operates throughout Russia, there are facilities and Far East, and in Kaliningrad.
Are they used for business electronic contracts?
This form of work is not entirely suitable for us, since a lot of money is at stake. Therefore, we prefer not to take risks, we use traditional means of conducting contractual work.
Do you want to carry out contracts directly via the Internet (win tenders on competitive sites), or, in your opinion, does design require personal contact with customers?
Indeed, we have experience remote work, and personally I think it's a pretty progressive way of collaborating. At the moment we have the entire base - this is server equipment, a secure channel for transmitting information, directories for online data exchange are organized. Modern means of communication make it possible to replace personal contact, but some stages of work (for example, architectural supervision) still require the personal presence of some employees.
What, in your opinion, allowed you to gain a foothold in the market and expand your activities? What will your business not work without?
As I said, these are high qualifications, focus on results, the ability to make decisions and achieve your goals. Clients like employees who know how to solve problems, not create them, and we are one of those people.
If you were creating a new business right now, what aspects would you pay attention to?
Experience allows me to look somewhat wider than before. Therefore, from the very beginning, I would bet on the development of relations, the search for new customers, effective advertising. In addition, it is very important to establish partnerships with market participants. If you do not take care of all this from the very beginning, you can lose a lot, which no one wants.
What is better - to be an excellent specialist and receive good salary, or become an entrepreneur and work only for yourself?
Everyone has their own path, and what works for one person may not work for another. In Russia, the institution of entrepreneurship itself is still very poorly developed, although the legislative framework available for this. And in the field of design, work is becoming more and more difficult, qualifications and a track record play an important role in competitions.
What are your company's development plans?
Personally, I am never going to stop there and always strive to move forward. And now the plans are grandiose, because I am a fan of my business, but I am used to working consistently. Now we will straighten out our position in the market and take a course for development, first in the areas of design (and there are an infinite number of them), and then we will go into construction work.
Recent years can be safely called the period of formation of intellectual startups. Initiative people they no longer want to “hang around” in stalls and shops, they don’t like the wholesale “buy / sell” either. If you look at forums about entrepreneurial endeavors and preferences, you can read fairly typical posts:
"Think . If the idea "shoots", I will easily earn a million.
“I dream of a science-intensive business - of my own laboratory for the synthesis of new materials. I try myself in experiments on heavy-duty glass. It is a pity that there are not enough scientific competencies and equipment, because, if possible, a patent can be easily sold for ten million "greens".
And finally: "Friends, I would like to open a design office in my city ... Maybe there are real people who have raised such a business from scratch?".
In fairness, there are not so many thoughts about design bureaus in the open spaces of entrepreneurial forums. “People want commodity-money certainty even in startups,” argues Igor Malyugin, an expert on small business. - And here with it all the same a problem. Although, in my opinion, the design office has a high chance of success, if, of course, there are professional skills for this. In short, this business is for those who understand the essence of the things they plan to design.
Choice of direction
It is clear that all the goods around us are designed by someone, and by specialists of a narrow profile. In the end, the drawings of a bicycle will not be “drawn” by an architect, but electrical circuits the designer will not "create". Therefore, when opening your own design bureau, it is logical to rely on the knowledge gained at the institute.
By the way, there are successful stories when a person from a “different opera” became the head of a design company, but he understood the prospects of the chosen direction. Be that as it may, but project business primarily depends on orders, therefore, a novice businessman will first of all have to take care of finding customers. The following areas have the highest probability of success, judging by the review of the forums:
- design of buildings, treatment facilities for water supply and sewerage, engineering networks;
- development of drawings of components and parts for machine builders;
- design of electrical devices.
The main obstacle on the way to your design bureau is "paper". According to Alexei Shchukin, director of the design organization Region, “creating such a business is more difficult than opening an ordinary retail outlet or copying someone else's franchise concept. It is required to obtain permission from the SRO (self-regulatory organization) for design work that affects the safety of buildings and structures ... ".
It is understandable, people's lives depend on the quality of the drawings.
Be sociable
Let's just say that at the initial stage it is extremely problematic. And this is by no means due to corruption, which, alas, is widespread in this area, but to the understandable caution of the customer. Not only is design work not cheap, but errors in drawings can lead to dangerous consequences. In short, the entrepreneur must either have initially, or earn a strong reputation as quickly as possible.
“I made a career from a draftsman to a project manager,” says businessman Ivan Kozlovsky. - I was well known in the leadership of the design institute, therefore, having opened my own design bureau, I received orders. Although, to be honest, my departure for “my own bread” was not welcomed.
“Therefore, the main direction of the efforts of a person who is going to open a project business is to establish connections,” says forum member Nitonise. - It is necessary to actively use any opportunities for establishing contacts. Sociability, activity, charm, etc. come to the fore. Constantly being in the field of view of influential people, it is easier to make the necessary acquaintances yourself. But even from scratch, all this is possible, but significant efforts must be made. ”
To start - two million
Knowledgeable people are sure that solid money is needed to start, at least two million rubles. This amount is made up of the following expenses:
- SRO admission - up to 400 thousand rubles in several areas;
- semi-annual office rent of at least 70-100 sq. meters for 10-15 employees - 300 thousand rubles at 50 thousand per month;
- expenses for furniture, computers, scanners and - 300 thousand rubles;
- 1 million rubles - three-month salary of employees until the first payment for the first stage of design is received.
As practice shows, the team of employees should be at least 12-14 people, since without this it is impossible to fulfill even medium-sized contracts for 3-4 million rubles, not to mention large ones. At the same time, the portfolio of orders is considered satisfactory if the company is provided with various works for 5-6 million rubles a year.
“Usually, up to 50% of the money earned is spent on rent, taxes and operating expenses for equipment,” Kozlovsky shares his experience. - And although I personally earn quite well, up to 100 thousand rubles a month, I do not consider myself rich. But the head of the design bureau has a huge responsibility, including under the law.”
According to him, it is not difficult to open a design bureau, after all, a company can be bought on a turnkey basis, but it is better not to enter this business without experience and reputation. He estimates the optimal age for starting at 35-40 years old, when there is at least 10 years of professional experience behind him. And even in this case, it is not necessary to count on advance payments.
Note that each case has its own specifics and its own calculations, but it is hardly possible to count on a smaller amount of initial expenses.
In general, despite the initial difficulties, the design office is interesting, intelligent and promising business, while the current economic turn to domestic products within the framework is a good basis for both starting and further development.
