Sessions for Small Firms: Mastering Communications with Clients and Project Teams

This is the first of three Sessions for Small Firms offered in 2019.

SESSION 1 | MASTERING COMMUNICATIONS

Part 1: The Client Relationship
The Architect’s client is a central figure in their business, their creative enterprise, and their livelihood. Each client is a unique entity and has their own ideas about what they want out of the process. Rather than starting from a place where we know “the way clients think,” we will create structures for discovering the unique needs and backgrounds of each client. We will talk about four major phases of the client relationship: meeting the client, contract negotiation, project delivery, and project closeout.

Part 2: The Project Team
Project teams can lead projects to greatness with ease when the structures around them have set them up for success. When doing the work is the easy part for your team, then your team is freed up to create solutions, foresee issues, and demonstrate leadership in the project. In part 2, we will look at practices to implement in your firm that bring ease and strength to your teams.

SESSION COST

Includes 4 LU, breakfast, coffee + light refreshments

$131 – AIA Members + Government Employees + Partners
$81 – Assoc. Members
$230 – Non-Members
$30 – Students + Scholarships

Registration Closes Monday, July 15, 2019
Early Bird Deadline: Monday, July 8, 2019. After this time, the price increases 15%

Stay tuned for more information about additional Sessions for Small Firms offered in 2019.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Clearly understand client objectives and communicate your value in the initial client conversation.
• Negotiate effectively and manage expectations with your clients.
• Create effective structures for managing projects and expectations with your team.
• Create protocols and communicate internally until project completion.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 17, 2019 | 8:00am – 12:45pm
Pacific Tower | 1200 12th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144

• 8:00 AM Registration, coffee + breakfast
• 8:30 AM Program begins
• 12:45 PM Program ends

PRESENTERS

Christopher Norman AIA | Christopher Norman Projects, LLC

Christopher Norman AIA, a licensed Architect in California, has been working in the building industry for 20 years. Since graduating from SCI-Arc in 2008 with a MArch, he has worked at firms at the top of their industry and with clients with the highest expectations. Firms include Michael Maltzan Architecture, Commune, and Shamshiri. Projects types include museums, public buildings, retail, office, multi-family residential, hotels, and high-end custom residential. Clients include David G. Booth and Suzanne Deal Booth, Michael Ovitz, Lari Pittman, Ace Hotel, Four Seasons, Los Angeles County Museum of Art , The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, Canadian Centre for Architecture, among others. Christopher Norman Projects, LLC provides consulting to create firm-wide structures so that architecture and interior design firms are set up for success. When all of the day to day operations are standardized, and people have everything they need to do their work, then the conversations that are most important to the firm can start. Christopher has an undergraduate degree in Urban Planning and Historic Preservation. He has been a client, a builder, an Architect, a firm director, and a business owner. From those experiences, he brings empathy and inquiry from diverse perspectives.

Maytal Phillips | Christopher Norman Projects, LLC

Maytal Phillips is a trained business and life coach helping entrepreneurs navigate the world of balancing building out their vision and having the time and space for well-being. Since graduating from New York University, she’s been pivotal in growing early-stage startups through strategic partnerships and business development. Companies include online interior design firm Laurel & Wolf, Thrive Market, and Zipongo. After finding that helping entrepreneurs find their balance was her true passion, she completed her coaching certification at Coach U. With her understanding of the startup space and passion for entrepreneurship, she brings a level of ease and workability to each project she’s a part of.

All speakers subject to change.

Registration or Credit Questions?
Contact Brigette Ruhland, Program and Project Coordinator at AIA Seattle

Program Questions?
Contact Cassie Blair, Professional Programs Manager at AIA Seattle

Sponsorship Questions?
Contact AIA Seattle Managing Director Kimber Leblicq