On today's show, we discuss how changing customer interactions can increase revenue.

National design firm Mancini Duffy – with a 100+-year-old history and tech-forward approach – is a full-service design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and interior design. Headquartered in New York City, the practice complements its century of expertise with contemporary entrepreneurial spirit and technological skill for clients.

Jeff Anderson is an Associate and Design Lab Developer at Mancini Duffy. At Mancini, he conducts design research and develops architectural visualization tools. Jeff’s also an educator, architectural designer, and AR/VR software developer. He currently teaches in the Graduate Architecture & Urban Design program at Pratt Institute and the Graduate Architecture Program at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Jeff is a Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of The Toolbelt. A patent-pending software that allows Mancini's clients to explore and manipulate 3D models in Virtual Reality to visualize and make design modifications for their projects together in real-time. Utilizing The Toolbelt, Mancini's designers can do in 3 hours what it takes most 3 weeks to do.

Michael Kipfer is a Principal at Mancini, where he spearheads research and development efforts at Mancini. A co-founder of Mancini's research and development arm, the Design Lab, Michael pushes the boundaries within architecture and design. The Design Lab was born by exploring and adapting technology such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing, and drones to communicate seamlessly between the client and the architect. The space is where the incubation of ideas merge with technology to develop cutting-edge services and encourage dynamic collaboration with clients. 

In addition, Kipfer works with in-house software developers and designers to integrate technology into the firm's everyday operations using Mancini's unique 360 Design Process and patent-pending The Toolbelt software. 

Key Takeaways:

• Things don't always have to be how they've always been. This design process embedded in the discipline needed to be improvised in light of new technologies. We've found a lot of efficiencies in that and by having clients that aren't afraid to experiment, we've made things better for both the clients and the designers.
• These changes allow for the client to be involved in the R&D process. It doesn't always go right, but when the clients see that they are part of something special, it's ok that it doesn't always go right. Always experiment. Always ask questions. Always be completely open and transparent. Don't be afraid to test something.
• Being willing to try new things can have an unexpected results. The changes we made have brought in a diverse mix of clients that we didn't have before.

 How to Connect

Mancini Duffy website: https://www.manciniduffy.com

The Toolbelt website: https://thetoolbelt.com