Raleigh News - Wendy's New Bern

Wendy's announcement in New Bern.

http://raleighpublicrecord.org/news/2015/04/13/development-beat-18/

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA
President + Founder
Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc.
www.ionicdezigns.com

Mental Toughness

I just finished one of the best inspiring leadership growth books I have read in a long time. Now I seem to read little these days but certainly have been trying to do better so I can grow......any every way. The book is Executive Toughness by Dr. Jason Selk. I was fortunate enough to hear him speak a few months ago at a local lecture. Inspired by his words of encouragement regarding mental toughness, I went home and bought his book.

Again I'm less than a wonderful reader.....more than finding time. But I found myself engulfed in the book and its principles presented by the writer. Why? Well because I want to achieve more, to succeed at higher levels and feel more complete as a person, husband, father and business leader. There were basic principles and exercises provided that were accompanied by examples of others. These helpful tools allowed me to jot down my own priorities and to begin my check list of principles I wanted to improve upon.

For nearly two months I have been pretty consistent on maintaining my schedule that I set up to check off my "tasks" of the day. This are things that I want to accomplish professionally and personally. Now I don't always check off every box.....as a matter of fact I have yet to check off every box for a single day. Far from it. 

My list consists of two columns of ten. The first ten are typically always done when I first wake up and completed up until I leave for the office. The second half or second column begins when I leave the front door and wraps up when I return home. I he my own set of lists for the work at the office. These are things that I want to focus on to make be better. If I cannot make myself better how do I plan on helping others. I do really well consistently on my morning routine......not so much on the end of the day things.

Each day I see where I succeeded and where I need improvement.....no failures! Just improvement! I will keep on working it until I'm consistent at accomplishing 100%. And then I will probably reset my goals......that's the way it works. We always need improvement.

Enjoy your day my friends (TIBs) and I look forward to our talks.

Have a blessed day.

Be watching for our upcoming news soon at IONIC. We are making some exciting waves in Hampton Roads and beyond. Stay tuned for more.

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

President + Founder

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc

www.ionicdezigns.com

"To the future.....and beyond!"

Quote of the Week

"Everything you can imagine is real." Pablo Picasso

Ionic Dezign Studios, Inc
www.ionicdezigns.com

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc. - Small Firm, Big Ideas

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc. - Small Firm, Big Ideas

IONIC will work closely with you to understand your building requirements, and understand the importance of working together with you while using our knowledge, skill and network of experts to develop ideas that provide the best value for your investment. Working closely with the client, construction and design teams, we design effective, sustainable solutions for your building and space requirements. Our design leadership and coordination with the other members of the project team from inception to completion help ensure the successful delivery of your project. We can help you with new construction, tenant improvements / remodels and improvements of your facility. We consider it our mission to lead the design process in the pursuit of excellence. 

We focus on three core areas of excellence to provide the greatest value for our clients. 

 

We are: 

 

1. Efficient - we use the latest technologies and techniques to deliver our services faster, better and more affordably. Most all of our construction projects are created using the BIM process, Building Information Modeling. All of the documents are created using three dimensional design which creates much more accuracy and less opportunities for conflicts in the field. 

2. Knowledgeable - research and an extensive network of industry experts provide us with expertise that allows us to lead the design process and make informed recommendations for alternate solutions enabling our clients to make effective decisions that enhance the value of the project. This along with a wealth of experience allows to create exactly what is needed, from jurisdictional approvals to construction related techniques. 

3. Sustainable - understanding building systems, construction processes, material properties, and planning principles necessary to integrate your project into its site context and within the project budget are as important to us as they are to you. We take great pride in developing site appropriate designs that connect well within the urban fabric because we understand that a well integrated project enhances the value of our clients investment. 

 

Contact us to see how we can help you!

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

President + Founder

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc.

www.ionicdezigns.com

 

Creating Places and Spaces that enrich the lives of those who use them.

Quote of the Week

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today.”

                                                                                                      – Chinese proverb

3 Simple Start-up Steps

This week I was asked in an interview about how I began Ionic DeZign Studios fifteen years ago and what were the struggles. Well I could write a book on all the struggles.... where to start: knowledge of starting a business, fear of starting a business, how to market a business, where to market a business, who to market my business to, so on and on and on......

Don't worry.... I didn't ramble on to the interviewer. I narrowed down to three aspects that I had focused on that I felt were important. Those three things ultimately helped me grow into the business and become successful.

1. NETWORKING. I never really knew what networking was all about. Today we use it almost too much and put too much "business" into the real meaning.....in my opinion. When I started out I came up with a mental list of all my friends that I knew and who I thought could help me the most. They were necessarily business relationships because I hadn't developed those yet. They were people that I knew from my everyday life and activities that I led; kids activities, church, neighbors etc. my first project involved many of the friends I had met while coaching rec league football in our community. My team mom introduced me to and was my first client. Another football coach was the general contractor. Yet another football coach fabricated all the millwork. All great connections.

2. FAITH. This isn't necessarily an easy one because no matter how much faith you have you still need action behind it to make it succeed. Even the bible tells us "Faith without Works is dead"  James 2:18. You can't expect to just sit there and watch the phone until it rings......it will eventually but it'll probably be a bill collector! The faith I had was that I believed in myself. I had an earnest desire to make my new found business successful and a real need to provide for my family. They counted on me. It didn't happen overnight and it didn't happen without hard work and struggles......but it did happen. 

3. DELEGATION. At first you may not have much that you can pass off on someone else. In the beginning I did it all......I had to! First there was no extra money and secondly I really didn't know who to help. And honestly the third was I just recently had a WHOLE LOT OF TIME on my hands since I quit my job to start this crazy idea of starting my own business. As time went on however I realized I needed help. Initially it was just someone to help with all the paperwork and filing. Later it was adding designers. I couldn't do it all. I needed staff. On and on it grew.....more people. Each of those employees I hired I was trusting and delegating work to. However, initially I did a lot of micro managing. I looked over their shoulder to insure everything was being done. That is a nature inclination of new business owners, but you cannot DO THE WORK FOR THEM. Later we hired consultants and others to assist our business: IT professionals, insurance professionals, payroll specialist etc. We just couldn't do it all. Delegate those tasks in order for you to have the time you need to continue to grow and market your business.

Those were the few tips I learned when beginning IONIC.....plus a lot more. I could equally write a post on the gazillion things NOT TO DO......maybe I will save that for another day.

Enjoy your day my friends and remember what I read on my fortune cookie this week.....

The greatest risk is not taking one.

So true.

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

President + Founder

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc.

www.ionicdezigns.com

"Creating places and spaces that enrich the lives that use them."