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Shop Talk Live: Bring your Chief and Design Business questions - Designers Show #160

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In this special “Shop Talk Live” episode, Dan and the Chief Experts team open the floor to your Chief Architect and design business questions. From templates and workflows to pricing and client management, this live Q&A brings together years of combined experience to help you design smarter, build stronger systems, and run a more profitable business.

 

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Setting up your templates, defaults, and toolbars saves hours on every project.

  • Use consistent layer sets and annotation strategies to manage complex plans efficiently.

  • Build repeatable production systems for better quality and faster turnarounds.

  • Know your numbers — pricing, estimating, and defining scope are essential for profit.

  • Treat Chief Architect like a professional design tool — learn its depth to gain speed and accuracy.

  • Build a community of peers to share knowledge, troubleshoot, and stay inspired.

 

📌 Chapters with Timestamps:

(Timestamps approximate)
00:00 – Welcome and overview of “Shop Talk Live” format
05:20 – Why templates and defaults are the foundation of efficient workflows
15:30 – Layer sets, annotation, and managing large or multi-building projects
27:10 – Hotkeys, toolbars, and shortcuts that speed up your daily workflow
39:00 – 3D modeling tips: creating clean models and realistic views
51:40 – Pricing and estimating: hourly vs. flat rate and how to communicate value
1:06:00 – Client management: scope, expectations, and avoiding scope creep
1:20:15 – Hiring and collaboration tips for growing design firms
1:33:10 – Marketing, production systems, and tech stacks that keep projects on track
1:45:00 – Viewer Q&A and open discussion
1:57:00 – Closing thoughts and upcoming events

 

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Chief Experts Pro Academy - https://www.chiefexperts.com/pro-academy-info

 

 

📌 Upcoming Events:

  • Chief Experts Live Training — Bloomington, MN
    December 1–4, 2025
    Learn hands-on Chief Architect skills, workflows, and time-saving systems from Dan Baumann and John Schrader.

    👉 Register now https://www.chiefexperts.com/bloomington-class-dec2025Weekly Designers Show (Fridays)

  • Join Dan and the team every Friday for practical discussions, plan reviews, and business insights.
    👉 Subscribe on YouTube 

 

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About the Co-Hosts: