Architecture Business Club with Jon Clayton

Jon Clayton
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Architecture Business Club is the podcast to help you build a build profitable, future-proof architecture practice that both you and your clients love! It’s an inclusive place (for ALL architecture business owners). So whether you’re an Architect, Architectural Technologist, or Architectural Designer…If you sell architectural services and want to improve the way you do things…This is THE podcast for you. I’m Jon Clayton, your show host, and a Chartered Architectural Technologist based in the UK. I’ve been in architecture for over two decades and ran my own micro practice for 10 years+. Each week you’ll hear from inspiring people from the world of architecture and business who share actionable tips to help you improve how you work, save time, or make more money. I’ll also share my own experiences running an architecture business in occasional solo episodes. We cover everything from mindset, money, business strategy, sales & marketing, productivity, systems & workflows, client experience, outsourcing, software, technology, and much more. Episodes are short, helpful & actionable. Expect interview episodes of around 30 to 40 minutes, and occasional solo episodes of up to 20 minutes. New episodes are released every other Thursday at 6am GMT / 2am EST. Welcome to the Club!

  1. What Does Burnout Mean & How Can I Avoid It with Anna Wolas | 116

    29 JAN

    What Does Burnout Mean & How Can I Avoid It with Anna Wolas | 116

    Jon Clayton discusses the issue of burnout with career and wellbeing coach Anna Wolas. The conversation digs into what burnout is, how to recognise its signs, and how it differs from stress. Anna explains the reoccurring nature of burnout and its connection to a misalignment between personal values and external expectations. She also outlines common causes of burnout, such as organisational changes, unrealistic workloads, and lack of recognition. Anna shares her DCP framework (Discover, Create, Perform) that helps professionals recover from burnout, prevent it in the future, and activate their full potential. Through practical strategies and real-life success stories, this episode aims to equip architects and business leaders with the tools they need to thrive in their careers without succumbing to burnout. Today’s Guest Anna Wolas is a Career & Wellbeing Coach who helps architects and leaders achieve (& earn) more. Anna's approach helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, and create a sustainable, values-driven definition of success. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Understanding Burnout 02:02 The Burnout Cycle 05:30 Burnout vs. Stress 06:27 Healthy Stress Management 09:27 Signs of Burnout 09:45 Physical Symptoms of Burnout 10:04 Psychological Symptoms of Burnout 10:32 Behavioural Symptoms of Burnout 11:00 Occupational Symptoms of Burnout 11:25 Personal Symptoms of Burnout 11:51 Common Causes of Burnout 11:56 Organisational Factors 12:42 Personal Factors 13:07 Lack of Recognition 13:47 Fear-Based Performance 14:15 Conflict in Relationships 14:34 Overcoming Burnout 14:55 Ineffective Solutions To Burnout 18:45 Effective Strategies For Burnout 18:55 The DCP Framework 19:34 Step 1: Discover 22:32 Step 2: Create 25:00 Step 3: Perform 28:03 Success Stories Of The DCP Framework 28:11 Case Study: High-Level Professional 29:15 Achieving Clarity 30:55 Promotion and Beyond 31:55 Main Takeaways 32:21 Act Now 33:32 Final Thoughts — Key Takeaways Burnout is a cycle, not just tiredness You need to understand that burnout isn't the same as feeling stressed. Stress can actually help you get things done if you have time to rest afterwards. But burnout happens when stress goes on for too long without recovery. It keeps coming back again and again if you don't fix the real problem. Burnout means you're living by other people's rules and goals instead of your own. When this happens over and over, your body and mind get worn out. Spot the warning signs early You can notice burnout in five main areas of your life. Physical signs include feeling tired all the time, headaches, and sleep problems. Mental signs include brain fog, forgetting things, and feeling hopeless. You might also get more emotional, angry, or eat differently. At work, you lose your passion and make more mistakes. In your personal life, your relationships suffer and you feel like you're not doing well anywhere. The sooner you spot these signs, the easier it is to fix the problem. Quick fixes don't work - you need a proper plan Taking holidays, doing more exercise, or waiting for a project to finish won't solve burnout on their own. Even changing jobs won't help if you don't fix the real causes. You need a proper strategy that helps you understand yourself, create healthy boundaries, and use your real skills and strengths. Don't wait to deal with burnout - the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to fix. — Connect with Anna Wolas on LinkedIn 🤝 a href="http://www.careerwellbeing.coach" rel="noopener...

    36 min
  2. The Difference Between AI and Automation with Tim Lewis | 115

    15 JAN

    The Difference Between AI and Automation with Tim Lewis | 115

    Jon Clayton welcomes Tim Lewis, a seasoned podcaster and content creator who's been exploring AI and automation. Together, they discuss the distinctions between AI and automation, practical applications in day-to-day business, and the benefits of locally hosted AI over cloud-based tools. They also address common fears about AI replacing jobs. Gain valuable insights on leveraging AI for tasks like image and video generation, project management, and client presentations. Tim shares various tools and strategies to enhance productivity and maintain privacy when using AI. Learn how AI can help you build a better, more efficient business. Today’s Guest Tim Lewis is a long term podcaster and content creator. Tim’s background is in books and publishing, but he’s recently deep dived into AI Automation and AI Image and Video Generation, and how it can be used to help small business owners in their day to day work. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Meet Tim Lewis: AI and Automation Expert 01:40 What's The Difference Between AI and Automation Tools? 03:10 Practical Examples of AI in Automation 04:19 AI's Role in Simplifying Tasks 06:37 There's More To AI Than ChatGPT 07:35 Use Cases for AI Tools for Architects 10:23 Advanced AI Tools for Visualisation 12:18 Organizing Information with AI 14:22 Locally Hosted AI vs. Cloud-Based AI 16:51 Privacy and Security in AI 22:59 Using AI for Client Presentations 24:26 Should We Be Worried About AI Replacing Us 28:55 Embracing AI and Automation 29:43 Additional AI Tools and Resources 30:38 Connecting with Tim Lewis 31:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts — Key Takeaways AI and automation are different tools that work together AI is like a computer programme that thinks a bit like a human. It can look at a picture and tell you what's in it, or help you create images and videos. Automation is different - it's about setting up steps that happen automatically, like "when I get an email, add it to a spreadsheet." The exciting part is when you put them together. AI can now do the thinking parts that used to need a person, which makes automation much more powerful. You can use AI for more than just writing Most people think AI is only good for writing text, but that's just the start. You can use AI to create pictures and videos from your sketches, organise your notes and research, and even make presentations faster. For example, if you draw a simple building sketch, AI can turn it into a realistic image showing what it would look like in real life. This is really helpful if you work with designs or need to show ideas to clients. AI won't replace you, but someone using AI might You don't need to worry about robots taking your job. But you should pay attention to other business owners who are learning to use AI tools. They can work faster, finish projects quicker, and offer better prices because AI helps them save time. The key is to start learning about these tools now, so you can use them to do the boring tasks faster and spend more time on the important work you enjoy. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢 Connect with Tim Lewis on LinkedIn 🤝 Visit...

    33 min
  3. 2025 Reflections and Exciting Plans for 2026 | 114

    1 JAN

    2025 Reflections and Exciting Plans for 2026 | 114

    Jon Clayton reflects on the challenges and achievements of 2025, highlighting milestones in his podcasting journey and personal life. Jon shares his Christmas break activities, introduces a new service aimed at enhancing your online presence, and outlines exciting updates for the Architecture Business Club in 2026, including fortnightly episodes, YouTube content, and potential sponsorships. He invites listeners to contribute their thoughts and challenges to shape future content, all while offering a special gift to kick-start the New Year. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Personal Highlights of 2025 02:48 Christmas Break Activities 03:34 Exciting New Service Announcement 03:50 What's New for Architecture Business Club in 2026 05:41 Special Gift for the New Year 07:42 Engage with Us and Share Your Challenges 08:21 Wrapping Up and What's Next — Key Takeaways It is good to look back and learn from the past year. Jon shares both the hard times and the happy moments from 2025 - it’s normal to have ups and downs. Trying new things and making changes can help you grow. This show is adding video episodes, changing how often episodes come out, and offering new services - being open to change can bring new opportunities. Staying connected with your audience is important. Jon invites you to share your challenges and ideas, and encourages you to subscribe and join in, so you can be part of this community. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢 Curious about podcasting? Click here to book a chat with Jon 🎧 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝 — 👇 And if you enjoyed this episode… Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode. — Next Episode Jon is joined by Tim Lewis to explore the difference between AI and Automation.

    10 min
  4. Merry Christmas and Podcast Highlights of 2025 | 113

    25/12/2025

    Merry Christmas and Podcast Highlights of 2025 | 113

    Jon Clayton delivers a brief special episode to thank listeners for their support. He shares notable statistics from 2025, including the release of 52 episodes, the 100th episode celebration in September, and record downloads in October. He also recounts the top three episodes of the year based on download numbers, highlighting listener favourites. Jon encourages you to take a break from the podcast to enjoy the festive season. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Greetings 00:35 Podcast Achievements and Milestones 01:29 Top Episodes of 2025 02:57 Future Plans and Guest Invitations 03:54 Holiday Sign-Off and Advice — Key Takeaways Keep Going, Even When It’s Hard If you keep working on something, like making a podcast every week, you can reach big goals. You might even do better than most people if you don’t give up. People Like to Hear Real Stories When you share true stories about your life or work, others want to listen. You can help people by telling them what you have learned and what you have gone through. Take Time for Family and Friends It’s good to stop working sometimes and spend time with people you care about. You should enjoy special days, like Christmas, with your family and friends. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢 Curious about podcasting? Click here to book a chat with Jon 🎧 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝 — 👇 And if you enjoyed this episode… Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode. — Next Episode Tune in next week for a New Year's episode previewing 2026.

    6 min
  5. How To Get More Done (Without Burnout!) with Louise Miller | 112

    18/12/2025

    How To Get More Done (Without Burnout!) with Louise Miller | 112

    In this episode of Architecture Business Club, hosted by Jon Clayton, productivity mentor Louise Miller joins to discuss a new definition of productivity that focuses on doing what's important rather than doing more in less time. Key topics include the importance of creating space over relying on systems, how productivity begins before taking action, and why recognising capacity can prevent burnout. The episode also explores practical strategies like taking a pause to reassess goals and the benefits of changing environments. Louise's insights are aimed at helping business owners achieve more with a sense of fulfilment and well-being. Today’s Guest Louise Miller is a productivity mentor, the founder of Make It Happen Club and host of the Unfrazzle podcast. She’s on a mission to change the world by helping her clients change the world. She partners with coaches, consultants and community-builders who have a big, exciting vision, helping them land their ideas in reality, reach more people and make a bigger impact, whilst being kind to themselves along the way. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction to Productivity 00:42 Meet Louise Miller 01:30 Challenging Traditional Productivity 02:26 The Importance of Doing What's Important 03:21 The Busy Trap 04:34 Productivity Before Action 04:45 The Treehouse Analogy 09:32 The Progress Cycle 10:56 Space vs. Systems 11:47 The Chaos of Systems 14:23 The Emotional Weight of Productivity 15:52 The Vicious Cycle of To-Do Lists 17:04 Six Pillars of Productivity 17:44 The Life-Friendly Approach 19:01 The Rhythm of Productivity 19:30 The Neuroscience of Productivity 22:50 The Real Reasons for Not Getting Things Done 25:23 The Power of the Treehouse 29:49 Final Thoughts and Resources — Key Takeaways Prioritise Space and Reflection Over Constant Action True productivity is not about relentless activity or doing more in less time, but about creating space to pause, reflect, and make intentional choices. Taking time to step back. Louise’s “treehouse” analogy allows for clarity, better decision-making, and prevents the cycle of busywork and burnout. Focus on What’s Important, Not Just What’s Urgent Productivity isn’t simply ticking off tasks. Instead, it’s about identifying and working on what truly matters, rather than being caught up in the “busy trap”. This means aligning your actions with your values and long-term goals, and letting go of tasks that do not serve your bigger purpose. Systems Are Secondary to Self-Awareness and Capacity While productivity systems and tools can be helpful, they are not a cure-all. If you’re overwhelmed or unclear, new systems will only organise your chaos. The real key is self-awareness: understanding your own needs, capacity, and life context, and building a rhythm of regular reflection. Productivity is personal. Experiment to find what works for you, and don’t feel broken if someone else’s method doesn’t fit. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢 Connect with Louise Miller on LinkedIn 🤝 Take Louise’s Productivity Quiz 🖥️ Curious...

    32 min
  6. How To Use AI To Free Up Your Time with Bryon McCartney | 111

    11/12/2025

    How To Use AI To Free Up Your Time with Bryon McCartney | 111

    Want to streamline your least favourite tasks? In this episode of Architecture Business Club, host Jon Clayton explores innovative ways to leverage AI for automating routine and time-consuming tasks in architecture. Joined by Bryon McCartney, CEO of Archmark, the discussion covers identifying tasks AI can optimise, the Teach framework for deciding what to automate, and practical tips for training AI to match your unique tone. Bryon shares insights on creating efficient workflows using AI, recounts his experiences enhancing his agency's profitability through AI integration, and underscores the importance of starting small for those new to AI. Additionally, the episode details Bryon's approach to building an AI-powered advisory board and a successful workshop using AI tools, emphasising the role of AI in freeing up time for creative and strategic work. Today’s Guest Today's guest is Bryon McCartney, CEO of Archmark, a leading business coaching, branding, and marketing firm working exclusively with architecture firms. Bryon has more than 35 years of experience and has led digital marketing initiatives for Calvin Klein, General Motors Europe, Lipton Foods, and many others. He has founded and led six successful creative service firms since 2002 and has helped more than 5,000 architects transform their practices. He's the only Business Made Simple, Small Business Flight School, and StoryBrand certified coach serving the architecture industry, and he's on a mission to help 10,000 firm leaders by 2030. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction: Tackling Your To-Do List with AI 00:47 Welcome to Architecture Business Club 01:06 Meet Bryon McCartney: Transforming Architecture Firms 01:51 The Power of AI in Architecture 05:42 Identifying Tasks for AI Automation 06:04 Streamlining Meeting Notes and Emails with AI 11:20 The TEACH Framework for AI Automation 14:37 Treating AI Like a Summer Intern 20:17 Balancing Instructions for AI 21:14 Five-Step Formula for Writing AI Prompts 22:59 Creating a Blog Post with AI 24:39 Structuring Your AI Prompts 25:15 Avoiding Common AI Pitfalls 26:11 AI's Impact on Agency Profitability 26:32 Early Experiences with AI 27:13 Adopting AI Tools in Business 28:07 Streamlining Client Onboarding with AI 29:54 AI-Powered Workshops and Presentations 31:29 Efficiency Gains and Profitability Boost 31:49 Using AI in Podcast Production 32:40 Building an AI Advisory Board 35:38 Getting Started with AI 39:10 Choosing the Right AI Tools 41:00 Creating AI-Powered Workshops 46:05 Final Thoughts on AI Integration 50:15 Connecting with Bryon McCartney — Key Takeaways View AI as a powerful tool to free up your time by automating repetitive and routine tasks. By letting AI handle admin, meeting notes, and standard email responses, you can focus more on creative and strategic work that you truly enjoy. You need to approach AI like you would a summer intern: provide clear instructions, context, and feedback. AI is not a magic solution; it requires you to define what a good result looks like and to iterate, refining your prompts and expectations as you go. You will benefit most from AI if you start small, choosing tasks you know well and can clearly explain. As you build confidence, you can gradually integrate AI into more areas of your work and life, ultimately gaining a competitive edge and improving your efficiency. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen

    52 min
  7. What is a Linkedin Company Page & Do I Really Need One with Louise Brogan | 110

    04/12/2025

    What is a Linkedin Company Page & Do I Really Need One with Louise Brogan | 110

    Jon Clayton and guest Louise Brogan discuss the importance and strategic use of LinkedIn company pages. You’ll learn the distinct roles of LinkedIn profiles and company pages, how to properly set up and manage a company page, and the type of content to post. Louise shares valuable insights on leveraging a company's LinkedIn page to boost visibility, attract talent, and enhance credibility. The episode also covers how small business owners and larger teams can optimise their LinkedIn presence and the reasons behind these strategies. Today’s Guest Louise Brogan is a Consultant, YouTuber, Podcaster and International speaker. Louise works with small businesses and professionals who want to raise their visibility on LinkedIn and YouTube. She is also a Small Business Champion in the UK. Her proudest work moments are meeting the King at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her work and getting her coveted silver play button for YouTube. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn Company Pages 01:23 Understanding LinkedIn Profiles vs. LinkedIn Company Pages 02:08 Creating a LinkedIn Company Page 03:19 The Importance of Company Branding 07:40 SEO Benefits of LinkedIn Company Pages 08:03 Optimising Your LinkedIn Company Page 08:50 LinkedIn's AI and Algorithm Updates 10:04 Filling Out Your Company Page Details 10:18 The Value of Company Values 13:49 Posting on Your LinkedIn Company Page 14:38 LinkedIn Company Page Content Strategy for Solopreneurs 16:36 Balancing LinkedIn Personal Profiles and LinkedIn Company Pages 17:38 Leveraging Your Team for LinkedIn Success 18:25 Client Success Stories 22:43 Project-Based Content Ideas for LinkedIn 24:38 Employee Advocacy on LinkedIn 25:25 LinkedIn Training and Workshops 26:00 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways 28:39 Free Resources and Conclusion — Key Takeaways Establish a LinkedIn Company Page for Professional Credibility Even if you are a sole trader or a small business, having a LinkedIn company page is essential. It allows you to showcase your brand, display your logo, and provide a professional 'shop front' for potential clients and collaborators. This increases your chances of being discovered by your target audience and lends credibility to your business. Maintain Consistent and Strategic Posting Regularly update your company page, ideally once a week or at least fortnightly, to demonstrate that your business is active and engaged. Share project updates, company news, and team achievements. Remember to write posts from the company’s perspective, which differs from the more personal tone used on individual profiles. Empower and Involve Your Team in Advocacy Encourage your team members to engage with and share company page content on their own LinkedIn networks. Explain the purpose and benefits of this advocacy, as it amplifies your reach and can generate more leads and business opportunities. Providing guidance and training ensures everyone understands how to contribute effectively. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢 Connect with Louise Brogan on LinkedIn 🤝 Get Louise’s Free LinkedIn Success Guide...

    31 min
  8. What PERSONAL BRAND really is & why it matters for Small Businesses with Christine Gritmon | 109

    27/11/2025

    What PERSONAL BRAND really is & why it matters for Small Businesses with Christine Gritmon | 109

    Jon discusses the importance of personal branding with expert Christine Gritmon. Christine breaks down what personal branding is, why it matters, especially for solopreneurs and small business owners, and shares her five-part Inside Out personal branding methodology: Purpose, Passion, Person, Personality, and Personal Brand. The conversation delves into the significance of authenticity, how to make a memorable impression, and offers practical exercises for identifying and leveraging your unique gifts. The episode concludes with actionable tips for starting to develop an authentic personal brand today. Today’s Guest We’re joined by Christine Gritmon - Christine reconnects solopreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners with their purpose and passions for a more aligned personal brand that’s joyful, authentic, and impossible to ignore! She’s spoken on stages worldwide and is a frequent expert guest on podcasts, live streams, chats, and blog posts, as well as hosting her own podcast, Let’s Talk About Brand. — Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Meet Christine Gritmon 01:15 What really is Personal Branding? 02:03 Personal Branding Misconceptions 04:11 Why Personal Branding Matters So Much 05:40 Building Trust Through Branding 06:13 The Power of Authenticity 11:44 The Inside Out Branding Framework 12:05 Purpose and Passion 15:25 Identifying Your Gifts 20:42 How You Show Up In The World 21:57 The Role of Personality 23:50 Expanding Your Personal Brand 24:38 Jon's Gift 28:24 Leading with Your Gifts 29:35 Christine's Personal Branding Evolution 30:30 The Flexibility of Personal Branding 31:15 Embracing Your Unique Gifts 32:22 Final Takeaways on Personal Branding 32:52 Connecting with Christine Gritmon — Key Takeaways Be authentic and true to yourself Your personal brand should come from who you really are, not from trying to fit into someone else’s idea of success. When you show your true self, people are more likely to trust you and remember you. Lead with your unique gifts Everyone has something special to offer. Focus on the skills and qualities that make you different, and use them in your work. This not only helps you stand out, but also makes your brand flexible if you change direction in the future. Your personal brand goes further than you do A strong personal brand can open doors and create opportunities, even when you are not in the room. The impression you leave with others can travel far, helping your reputation and bringing new connections your way. — Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺 Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢 Click here to connect with Christine on LinkedIn 🤝 Click here to learn more about Christine Gritmon 🖥️ Ready to start podcasting? Click here to book a chat with Jon 🎧 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝 — 👇 And if you enjoyed this episode… Please leave a 5-star review or...

    35 min
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About

Architecture Business Club is the podcast to help you build a build profitable, future-proof architecture practice that both you and your clients love! It’s an inclusive place (for ALL architecture business owners). So whether you’re an Architect, Architectural Technologist, or Architectural Designer…If you sell architectural services and want to improve the way you do things…This is THE podcast for you. I’m Jon Clayton, your show host, and a Chartered Architectural Technologist based in the UK. I’ve been in architecture for over two decades and ran my own micro practice for 10 years+. Each week you’ll hear from inspiring people from the world of architecture and business who share actionable tips to help you improve how you work, save time, or make more money. I’ll also share my own experiences running an architecture business in occasional solo episodes. We cover everything from mindset, money, business strategy, sales & marketing, productivity, systems & workflows, client experience, outsourcing, software, technology, and much more. Episodes are short, helpful & actionable. Expect interview episodes of around 30 to 40 minutes, and occasional solo episodes of up to 20 minutes. New episodes are released every other Thursday at 6am GMT / 2am EST. Welcome to the Club!

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