Training

We develop and deliver training seminars and workshops in areas of our expertise.  
 
Presentation Skills Training 
This two-day workshop distills our knowledge of how to win in competitive interviews. In this training, we teach people to improve their skills in developing message content and delivering presentations with impact.  
 
As part of the process, training participants deliver presentations based on case studies. These are videotaped, and the instructors give class members tips for improvement.  
 
We have taught this workshop to hundreds of professionals in design firms and construction companies across the U.S. and in the U.K.  
 
Communicating Difficult Messages 
This training workshop focuses on how to deliver a difficult message in a manner that it can be received best. We developed this workshop for construction professionals who often have to communicate to owners, design teams, and sub-contractors about changes in the project cost, schedule or staffing. 
 
Client Care 
This half-day workshop addresses the essentials of client care. Class participants learn how to stay current with their contacts, and to develop strong connections that lead to loyalty and better working relationships. Included in the workshop are techniques for use of the telephone, email and hand-written communication. 
 
Leadership 
This one-day workshop provides tools for improving their effectiveness in assuming responsibility for results on projects and with client relationships. Class participants are given case studies similar to problematic situations at work, and are videotaped in simulation exercises in which they engage the instructor(s) around these issues. The instructors review the videos and suggest techniques for improving verbal and non-verbal communication.

"Saskia and Mark took sixteen architects with varied presentation skill levels and, over the course of two days, transformed all of us into much stronger presenters and more strategic thinkers. Rather than giving us a fish, they taught us how to fish. We are a stronger and more prepared firm as a result."

Jonah Cohen
Managing Principal
THA Architecture Inc.

"This course is a definite “must take.” Both Mark and Saskia are very experienced and knowledgeable about the art of making purposeful presentations. The workshop provides a great technical base to deliver an effective message to a client and a logical structure for setting up a presentation. I recommend the course to everyone that makes competitive presentations."

Thomas McLaughlin
Operations Manager
Turner National Healthcare Group

"As builders of highly complex, cutting-edge architectural structures, we are often in situations where we must deliver difficult news to Owners. Learning to do that effectively, while maintaining positive client relationships, is essential. Mark and Saskia have taught the Communicating Difficult Messages workshop with considerable success and we have seen immediate improvement in the skill level of our Project Managers and Estimators."

Eric Foster
Senior Vice President, General Manager
Swinerton Builders-Northern California