Tuesday June 17, 2008
Art of Listening
The data processing axiom "garbage in, garbage out" is equally applicable to the professional's task of translating client requirements into actionable results. If presenting is one of the most overlooked skill sets required by a professional, then surely listening skills are the most overlooked. Workers must be amateur psychologist to distinguish clients' needs from what clients' are actually saying, and to competently sort our their needs, wants and wishes. Lack of listening skills is one of any professions' greatest downfalls, leading to charges of arrogance and indifference on the part of clients. While some may choose to be arrogant and indifferent, most simply lack the active listening tools to help them ferret out their clients' needs.
This program will help attendees develop strategies for getting more useful information out of all their face-to-face interactions, from client meeting to employee reviews.
Presenter David Greusel, a Principal with HOK Sport Venue Event located in Kansas City, Missouri, brings an unusual combination of skills to this presentation. Guaranteed to be lively and engaging, David will draw on more than 25 years' professional experience in multiple professional roles to both communicate and demonstrate strategies for successful listening! He is consistently one of the most popular speakers at the AIA convention every year and presented at the SDA conference last year and will be there again this year.
Thursday April 17, 2008
Current Trends and Concerns in Human ResourcesProfessional firms are facing unique human resource challenges. The work force now consists of a vast range of culturally diverse and multi-generational employees, and surveys show that 66% of these employees are moderately disengaged from their work [Towers Perrin survey]. There is also a shortage of licensed and trained professionals in the architecture and engineering industries.
Human Resource Directors and Administrators need to develop creative solutions to deal with these particular issues, and the challenge lies in creating programs that will engage employees and help them develop the skills they need to maintain a professional edge and meet increasing client expectations.
Welcome the return of mentoring, but with a twist! Cross-generational mentoring, where a seasoned principal is paired with a promising junior employee is an effective way to exchange knowledge, develop exciting new approaches to work and train the next generation of practice leaders. The benefit of knowledge and experience in the industry is complimented by a keen understanding of the latest technology and industry innovation.
Oomph Group will present a dynamic session to introduce the benefits of cross-generational mentoring and how firms can get a program off the ground.
Tuesday March 18, 2008
Alternative Growth Strategies: Mergers and Acquisitions
In a highly competitive market, the “need for speed” increases for growth-focused firms. Acquiring a company or effecting a merger can be an effective shortcut to the desired growth. And, taking advantage of synergies, the two firms together can be stronger and more profitable than either was previously. If you are looking at this alternative strategy to grow your business, this information-packed panel discussion will provide you with thought-provoking ideas:
•What you have to know about your own firm before contemplating a merger or acquisition
•How to manage the acquisition or merger process from valuation through due diligence
•The pitfalls to avoid
•Structuring the deal
•Why cultural integration, compensation planning, technology integration, project process improvement, organizational management and marketing communication strategy are even more important than the buy/sell deal.
February 20, 2008
Bored by the Barrage of Babble about Branding?
Elizabeth Stewart, Stewart Associates, returns to SDA with some straight talk about what really matters. What’s the real meaning of your brand? Why does it matter? What elements should you be managing? And how? Learn the facts and take away practical steps you can implement the next day.
December 4, 2007 6PM
Holiday Season Holiday Party
Please join us in celebrating the holiday season at our annual Holiday Party!
The Academy of Spherical Arts
1
Snooker Street, Toronto, Ontario
Full Buffet Dinner, Cash Bar, Gift Raffles & Silent Auction.
Ticket Price: $60
November 14, 2007
Registration: 5:45 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm
Presentation: 7:00 pm
Roundtable Event
Join us in November for our ever popular fast paced SDA roundtable event. For those of you who are new to this event, it is a fast paced moderated table discussion on topics chosen by our members. We have had the proposed topics posted on our website since September and you have overwhelmingly chosen these four topics:
1) Performance Review Forms
Discuss your forms or bring a sample
2) Overtime
How is this handled in your firm?
3) Different ways we recognize employees
4) What is your policy for retention of records and archiving?
Annual Meeting
In accordance with our bylaws, please be advised that our Annual Meeting for 2007 will be held at the Arts and Letters Club on November 14, 2007. The agenda for our Annual Meeting will include:
1) Bylaw amendments, if any
2)
Presentation of the 2006 Financial statements
3) Brief report from the President on the work of the 2007 Board
4)
Brief report on membership
5) Elections for the 2008 Board of Directors
The nomination slate and a proxy form have been attached to this email. They are also available on our website in the members only area. Copies of the financial statements are available in the resource area of the website and we encourage members to review statements before the annual meeting. If you are unable to attend the November general meeting, please email your proxy form to another eligible SDA member. Eligible members include all individual and corporate members – see SDA membership list posted on our website for validation purposes.
Tuesday
October 23, 2007
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sending More To The Bottom Line!
Business today is more competitive than ever. Companies need to be vigilant in managing every facet of their business, ensuring that they are maximizing their investments in people, technology and process. Our session will explore common ways to increase your efficiencies, reduce costs and increase revenues, the levers you need to impact your firm’s bottom line.
Presenter: Dave Horan
Dave Horan, Deltek’s Director of International Sales is a technology industry veteran with over 20 years of experience. Dave’s career has included assignments in the hardware, software and distribution industries and has included key posts at Deltek, Wind2 Software, IMR and PCs Compleat. Throughout his tenure, Dave has helped companies deliver real business benefits to their clients especially in the area of customer relationship management and business process enhancements. Dave’s currently heads Deltek’s international sales expansion with a focus on Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Wednesday
September 26, 2007
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Keeping Valuable Employees: Retain and Maintain!
How can we keep employees and avoid wasting time and energy in training and development? Join us on September 26, 2007 and learn about:
•Factors that contribute to an employees early departure;
•Actions to postpone and prevent departures;
•Approaches to building work environments that keep highly productive employees.
Presenter: Celese Fletcher
Celese Fletcher, CHRP, is a professional Human Resource practitioner with more than 25 years experience in developing and restructuring businesses through the design and implementation of people infrastructures. She is inspired by the diversity of people's ability and their contribution to the success of business, a sensibility and focus that have led her to develop an innovative approach based on sound and sustainable solutions that result in highly productive work environments.
Tuesday June 19th, 2007
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
SDA Canada’s Premier Membership Information Night
We listened to your questions on membership, we gathered our sponsors together, and now we have planned this event for you!
REDISCOVER on June 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the benefits of an SDA membership
NETWORK over drinks and hors-d'oeuvres with other existing and potential members
HEAR , directly from our Board of Directors, the many different ways you can receive value from your membership (it’s more than just the meetings!)
MEET our sponsors, in an informal “trade show type setting”, and learn why they support SDA and how they can and want to continue to work with your firm
SEE our website specialist (an SDA member) demonstrate our SDA forum
LEARN the best way for you to receive even more value for your membership by accessing the many benefits offered by our affiliate, SDA USA
BRING a potential member and automatically be entered into our door prize for an official IPOD Nano!
Evening Agenda
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Networking, opportunity to visit tables and presentation set-up by sponsors
7:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Mini Presentation by the SDA Executive
Door prizes will be drawn at 7:45 p.m. and you must be present to be eligible to win
Radisson Admiral Hotel
Toronto Waterfront
Thursday May 24, 2007
Roundtable Meeting
Our Roundtable discussion is one of SDA's most popular events.
Join us and participate in an event where:
•You an network before, during and after dinner with your business peers
•You can participate in lively discussions on current business and industry topics of members' choice led by a Board Executive appointed Monitor
•Walk away with fresh ideas and ways to tackle ongoing business concerns
•Receive an email summary of highlights of the evening's discussions for your future reference
The Albany Club
91 King Street East
Registration: 5:45PM
Dinner: 6PM
Roundtable: 7PM
Thurs April 26, 2007
Winning Proposals and Presentations - Presented by Elizabeth Stewart,
Stewart Associates
Writing proposals and making proposal presentations are two of the mot challenging, frustrating – and despised – professional selling activities.
Whether you’re making proposals to public or private sector clients, once a month or every day; as the proposal lead or as part of a team, this is the session for you. It will draw on actual proposal debriefing interviews, to explain techniques that failed as well as those that succeed.
Wed March 21, 2007
Top Trends in Technology for Design Firms
Peter Hughes, President, CAD Systems Consultants Limited will be addressing your technology questions and concerns in his interactive presentation on Wednesday, March 21st, 2007.
• The top trends which will effect your purchasing decisions
• How to time IT purchases over a period of years for the greatest benefit with some examples of past, current and likely future trends
• Practical overview of the real cost of I.T. administrationJoin us for dinner, networking, and an opportunity to have your professional liability questions answered through an interactive and informative seminar.
February 19, 2007
Professional Liability Insurance presented by David Croft, John Hackett, and Byron Treves from Pro-Demnity Insurance Company.
January 24, 2007
Are Your Group Benefits An Investment Or An Expense?
There's more to a benefits plan than health and dental insurance. This revealing session demystifies Group Benefits. The basics of group health insurance will be explained. On this foundation, you'll learn how you can:
• ensure you get value for the price you pay,
• control costs, and
• use group benefits to attract and keep top-notch talent
By designing an effective program that enhances profitability through productivity.
