Strategic Vision
I work with leaders to commit to a vision and to build resilient teams. Clearly communicating a firm’s purpose inspires employees to perform at a high level and contributes to the culture of the firm, assuring long-term health and growth.
Authenticity
Do you have to bend to accommodate preconceived notions of practice? Consider instead the value and authenticity of bending practice to you. Design your practice to reflect who you are, not who you think you should be.
Move from reaction to intention
Learn to shift from “waiting for incoming” to pro-actively planning a course of action.
Strategic advisor
In collaboration with firm leadership I identify areas of practice that benefit from deeper investigation, to improve culture, communication, and firm structure. This is "heart and soul" work.
Build Internal Awareness of Value
Approach your practice in the same way you approach the design of your projects. What methods result in the best outcome? Are there gaps that should be closed? What can be improved? Areas to examine at the strategic level include:
Leadership v. management: These are distinct yet overlapping roles. Are you leading or managing?
Communication internally and externally: What is our message to ourselves and to the outside world?
Market sector specialization: Is there the risk of too much investment in one sector over others?
Studio culture, identity, and purpose: Identifying the reference points that define the culture of your practice: structure and hierarchy, division of labor, roles and responsibilities.
Revenue capacity and finance: Identify your revenue target and be intentional about financial health and growth.
Staff recruitment, development, and advancement: Are you hiring for the firm or for the project? Every new hire influences the culture of your practice. What is your strategy?
Business development: Leveraging your network, building market acumen and experience.
Marketing and public relations: Build an outreach strategy that speaks authentically to your target markets.
Sounding board
I provide a confidential and neutral space for leaders to share ideas. This is critically valuable to small firms and sole practitioners.
Mentor
I guide leadership to commit to core vision, mission, values, and goals, and to enroll and inspire their team.
Michael's support lead me to understanding my value, strengths and probably gave me the courage to make the changes that I did. He's been a sort of work therapist, always positive, thoughtful and insightful.
PSM Architects
In both one-on-one and group formats, Michael helped us to metabolize management sticking points and identify conflicting values while helping to find balance amongst the various personalities and viewpoints.
Eric Hartz AIA LEED AP
Director of Operations
Gast ArchitectsMichael's skills in design, management, and academia make him a true mentor for practicing design professionals and anyone who is a student of design or of life.
Emily Huang
Founding Partner
Huang Iboshi Architecture, IncWorking with Michael we learned to treat our practice as a constantly evolving and shifting design problem in and of itself. And that maybe what worked before or once, isn’t always going to work.
PROTO, Inc.
The company has done better faster. Basic mistakes and a lot of unnecessary conflict were avoided, and my effort was always more focused. It would have taken me twice as long to get where I did, and I probably would have given up long before getting there.
Marta A.
My respect and admiration for Michael's experience, perspective, integrity and values is deep. He is thoughtful, and remains curious about knowing ‘the whole person’ and offering insights that are intuitive and kind.
Jenny R.
I often did not have a way of understanding my strengths and leadership abilities in relation to others. Michael's feedback and encouragement were terrific.
Patricia M.
Working with Michael we created a highly functional team and got clarity of process and organization of systems.
S&S
At every level and in all aspects of our practice, Michael's work is valuable and full of teaching (and learning!) moments.
Bobbie
I think Michael was the first person who encouraged me to "let my light shine" professionally. I still appreciate that.
McGriff Architects
At every level and in all aspects of our practice, Michael's work is valuable and full of teaching (and learning!) moments.
Bobbie
Thanks to Michael we have a more methodical approach these days. We can put a plan in place and be patient in getting the results.
Leverone Design
photo credits: Michael Bernard
