Pre-Conference Workshop (Herb Cannon)

Project Management for 20%+Profit

Financial Success is a process, not an event. It is the result of our hard work -- not wishful thinking. It starts with an understanding of the basics, continues with the implementation of a well thought out plan and process and results in the financial success of a 20%+ profit.

For some A/E firms squeaking by with an 8% profit on a project is considered good. For most other A/E firms a 13 to 15% project profit would be considered great. For a select few that have mastered the core principles of this project management program a 20%+ profit on net revenues is considered par for the course. In fact, a 20% profit on each project is their minimum expectation for profit. On many projects, they achieve a profit of 30% or more.

For the most part, the 20%+ profit projects do not have smarter project managers, better employees, better clients or harder workers than your company. What they do have is a project management system that delivers accurate financial information and a project management process that encourages (insists) all employees to act upon this information. The happy result of this comprehensive system is satisfied clients, motivated employees, increased compensation and 20%+ profit on net revenues.

Welcome Reception

Pre-Conference Workshop (Herb Cannon)

Project Management for 20%+Profit

Financial Success is a process, not an event. It is the result of our hard work -- not wishful thinking. It starts with an understanding of the basics, continues with the implementation of a well thought out plan and process and results in the financial success of a 20%+ profit.

For some A/E firms squeaking by with an 8% profit on a project is considered good. For most other A/E firms a 13 to 15% project profit would be considered great. For a select few that have mastered the core principles of this project management program a 20%+ profit on net revenues is considered par for the course. In fact, a 20% profit on each project is their minimum expectation for profit. On many projects, they achieve a profit of 30% or more.

For the most part, the 20%+ profit projects do not have smarter project managers, better employees, better clients or harder workers than your company. What they do have is a project management system that delivers accurate financial information and a project management process that encourages (insists) all employees to act upon this information. The happy result of this comprehensive system is satisfied clients, motivated employees, increased compensation and 20%+ profit on net revenues.

Welcome Reception

Pre-Conference Workshop (Herb Cannon)

Project Management for 20%+Profit

Financial Success is a process, not an event. It is the result of our hard work -- not wishful thinking. It starts with an understanding of the basics, continues with the implementation of a well thought out plan and process and results in the financial success of a 20%+ profit.

For some A/E firms squeaking by with an 8% profit on a project is considered good. For most other A/E firms a 13 to 15% project profit would be considered great. For a select few that have mastered the core principles of this project management program a 20%+ profit on net revenues is considered par for the course. In fact, a 20% profit on each project is their minimum expectation for profit. On many projects, they achieve a profit of 30% or more.

For the most part, the 20%+ profit projects do not have smarter project managers, better employees, better clients or harder workers than your company. What they do have is a project management system that delivers accurate financial information and a project management process that encourages (insists) all employees to act upon this information. The happy result of this comprehensive system is satisfied clients, motivated employees, increased compensation and 20%+ profit on net revenues.

Welcome Reception

Welcome & Opening Session

Keynote Speaker (Dave Wahby) - Management For Tough Times

Architects and engineers are not immune to the ebb and flow of economic cycles.  It’s a basic fact of business life.  Now, after years of prosperous times, we find ourselves in a period of economic slowdown and with uncertain conditions facing us going forward.  Don’t worry, times will eventually get better.  In the meantime, join us as we explore management ideas and practices for coping with these trying times.   

Are You Getting The Most Of Ajera?

Your conversion is done. You have officially paid your consultant for the last reconciliation review.  Now what?  Do you know how to bring your principals and project managers into Ajera?  Do you know what access they need, the reporting available and how to show each person the Dashboard for their own personal use? This session will cover all these topics and include a discussion where fellow users can share experiences and tips they have learned.  

Credit Card and Expense Reporting (Lab)

Credit cards are a great way to track company expenses and keep employee reimbursements to a minimum.  Did you realize you can have the credit card holders enter their own expenses within Ajera/PORTFOLIO?  Now is the time to really get to know how to use Credit Card Tracking and Expense Reporting within Ajera.  Learn the ins and outs of these great tools that will help reduce administrative burden.

Industry (Dave Wahby) - Just Say "NO" To Profit Centers

 As firms get larger and more complex it makes perfect sense to consider the use of profit centers in order to track the financial performance of your firm at the operating unit level to compliment companywide financial reporting.  While well intended, classic profit center accounting, applied to architectural and engineering firms, often produces a set of negative consequences that far outweigh the benefit to be gained.  This session will discuss the pitfalls and offer alternatives to achieve the desired result.  

Consultant Management

How many times have you asked yourself – how can I better manage all my sub consultants?  We are going to show you the tricks to making this task a normal part of your workflow.  Come learn the budgeting process, resource planning, entry of the sub consultant invoices to the determination of when to pay that sub consultant (pay when paid come to mind?). 

Industry (Dave Wahby) Enhanced People Management

“Our people are our greatest asset”.  Most firm espouse this philosophy but few actual operate in ways that support this lofty ideal.  What does make people tick?  How does a firm go about creating an engaged, lively and enthused workforce?  Come away from this session with a fresh perspective on how to go about creating the type of workplace often talked about, but rarely achieved.

Resource Management And Budgeting (Lab)

You know what you want to do, now see how easy it is to do.  This lab will give you hands on training with PORTFOLIO and take you through the steps of budgeting your projects and resources.  From there you will learn to manage each resource to the level of detail your firm needs.  Come see how you can use as little or as much as you need – based on the project requirements. You will also gain insight into Tasks and an overall view of project management.

Client Social

This year’s Client Social will be held at Meriwether’s Restaurant. Meriwether’s is located in the historic 2601 NW Vaughn building, on the site of the famous 1905 World’s Fair. Meriwether’s is a renewal of the classic country inn with their unique garden dining, warm hospitality and remarkable food.

Join us on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 for an evening of fine dining, complimentary wine tasting and an exceptional atmosphere.

Welcome & Opening Session

Keynote Speaker (Dave Wahby) - Management For Tough Times

Architects and engineers are not immune to the ebb and flow of economic cycles.  It’s a basic fact of business life.  Now, after years of prosperous times, we find ourselves in a period of economic slowdown and with uncertain conditions facing us going forward.  Don’t worry, times will eventually get better.  In the meantime, join us as we explore management ideas and practices for coping with these trying times.   

Basic Report Design - Part I (Lab)

Learn the fundamentals of Protrax records to designing basic reports in this two part lab. From planning to final printing of the report, you will walk through file structure, creating a report design, using basic formulas, adding design notes and other features of Report Designer. You will be empowered with this new knowledge to create meaningful reports that can be used by you and others at your firm.  

Due to the amount of material being covered, this is a two part session.  The sessions should be taken in order.

Billing Tips And Tricks (Lab)

Using your knowledge of the billing process, we are going to show you how to make the billing process easier and more understandable.  Have you been doing the same task over and over - now is the time to see what you may have been missing and if there is a more efficient way to complete the task.