Matthew Prasad, the Director of Holistic Urban Environments (HUI), recently spoke to the Networking Group about the importance of taking small steps, and not believing everything you see. 

As an urban design specialist, this approach has paid dividends. Join us as we do a recap on the wisdom Matthew shared.

Taking Small Steps 

Matthew and his team take a people-centric approach to their business. They consider each individual client’s needs, which necessitates the “taking of small steps.” Matthew explains that they walk their clients through this process, while also using it as the basis for their own people-centric approach.

Essentially, to take small steps, you need to think about what you want to achieve, and then outline a broad process. For HUI, it looks something like this:

• Idea
• Design
• Permission
• Build

The first step is applicable to any industry. Of course, the process doesn’t stop here. The aim is to create sub steps to these main steps, and then further sub steps to those. The idea is to get as “granular” as possible. 

For example, “Idea” is further broken down into:

• High-level investigation
• Feasibility Study
• Market and finance testing

This granular approach has several benefits. For one, it allows for deliberate consideration of every facet of the project. At each step, it’s possible to pause, take a step back, and consider individual points carefully. It also makes budgeting easier. Costs and pricing can be worked out in finer detail.

Finally, it makes the project more manageable on a practical and theoretical level. Any big project can be overwhelming. Breaking it down means you only need to practically deal with one aspect at a time. Just so, seeing it in small chunks makes it easier to process, and move forward mentally. 

Matthew points out that a further benefit of taking small steps, on a higher level, is the feedback loop it creates. The more one uses the process, the deeper their understanding of it becomes. Clients may have unique problems and going through them carefully allows your own knowledge base to grow.

Matthew cautioned against “believing all that you see…”

Don’t Believe All That You See

It’s crucial to verify any information pertinent to a project. This could mean drafts of floor plans, pricing schemes, and so on. Matthew points out that one needs to look for quality markers, such as a company logo, and other particulars that vary from industry to industry. 

This is ultimately part of the first step, which involves investigation. In business, you must be certain, and there’s always the possibility of misrepresentation. 

Matthew clarifies that this skepticism shouldn’t be based on cynicism, but rather on caution. Misrepresentations aren’t always malicious, sometimes they stem from genuine misunderstandings.

Conclusion

Of course, taking small steps is a catch-all solution, because it’s ultimately a framework for solving problems before they arise. 

By simply putting one foot in front of the other, so to speak, you can carry yourself, your business, and your clients to new heights of clarity, and finally, project completion, again, and again. 

Are you looking to network with business owners from around NZ ?

The Networking Group (TNG) invites members and guests to connect online every fortnight to network outside their geographical areas and hear presentations from business owners who are experts in their field while also promoting their own business through a 60 second elevator pitch.  Our meetings allow you to feel comfortable and enjoy yourself whilst investing time to work on your business.

To join our next meeting please register here

It’s time to join TNG, the fastest growing Networking organisation in New Zealand.