Episode 20: How Relationships and Design Intersect, with Ken Baker

[wp_social_sharing social_options=”facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin” facebook_text=”Share on Facebook” twitter_text=”Share on Twitter” googleplus_text=”Share on Google+” linkedin_text=”Share on Linkedin” icon_order=”f,t,g,l,p,x” show_icons=”1″ before_button_text=”Share” text_position=””]

You won’t want to miss this episode of The People Catalysts Podcast as we interview Ken Baker. He’s an international design expert and Principal for Gensler for 20 years. He’s going to share with us how relationships and design intersect as well as the two things you must do to make relationships the cornerstone of your business and life.

With experience in both office interiors and product design, Ken Baker (IIDA, Associate AIA, RIBA, SBID, Associate ASID) understands the inside and out of the architecture and design field. Ken has been a Gensler Principal for 20 years and is currently serving as a member of the Gensler Management Committee.

As a Co-Managing Principal of Gensler’s Southeast Region and past Co-Managing Principal of Gensler’s U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Gulf Regions, Ken is considered a global expert on workplace design and planning, particularly for law firms.

He has designed over 10 million square feet of corporate headquarters and offices for law firms and financial institutions, and is one of Gensler’s major Global Account holders, managing relationships with clients such as Sidley Austin, LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; JP Morgan Chase, and Barclays Capital worldwide. Ken is also a leader in Gensler’s furniture and product development practice and frequently speaks about the power of design at industry events around the world.

A fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and a member of the Board of Trustees for the National Building Museum, Ken is passionate about producing design solutions that optimize trends that align with clients core objectives.

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

• Why Ken refers to entrepreneurs as client relationships leaders
• Why listening and collaborating are keys to building a team
• The value of allowing people to focus on their passion and what they’re good at doing
• How Ken and his team use ‘visioning’ to help their clients interpret their ideas into design
• The four work modes that people typically fall into
• The benefits of using benchmarking in a professional firm
• Why relationships are the cornerstone of both business and life
• Why the social dimension of work is very important
• Why you need to have a sense of urgency when working with a client, no matter how big or how small the task
• Listening to your client without thinking about how you’re going to respond

Ways to contact Ken:

• Website: www.gensler.com

Ways to contact Karla:

• Email: next@karlanelson.com
• Schedule a Strategy Session: meetme.so/Karla-Nelson

Do you want to host a podcast? Click here to find out how I do it.