NATIONAL SEMINAR PROGRAM

Change Management
Change is a constant and the rate of change is accelerating: rightsizing, mergers, takeovers, new technology. Participants are challenged to examine beliefs and fears associated with change. Master techniques to transform fears of change into positive anticipation and enthusiasm.

Cumulative Impact of Change Orders
This program will examine the cumulative effect that change orders have on labour productivity for mechanical contractors. With three separate studies undertaken for the Electrical Contractors Foundation, the Mechanical Contracting Foundation and the Construction Industry Institute, this review of the effect of change orders will look at types of change, recoverable change orders costs, methods of quantifying the impact of change orders on labour efficiency, the Cause and Effect Method (Factor Approach), characteristics of projects impacted by change orders, and much more. A must see seminar.

Codes, Regulations and Inspections
This course discusses the development of codes and regulations, the process of applications to local governing authorities and responsibilities. The site inspection process will also be examined, along with the process for reviewing an inspectors requirements and dealing with deficiencies.

Conflict Resolution
The focus is to examine various ideas with regards to dispute resolution. This invigorating workshop will allow participants to develop techniques to assist in consistently achieving positive results when negotiating. Various strategies will be reviewed. 

Data & Document Management
Data is only useful for decision making when it has been transformed into useful information. The conversion process from data to information involves compiling, consolidation, understanding and organizing the data. Then it must be summarized, converted to a model and explored…then finally interpreted. This seminar will demonstrate to participants how to turn their data overload into an informed strategy. 

Financial Statement Analysis
Your bank and your bonding company know how to read  your financial statements, do you? They have you at a decided disadvantage when you don’t understand the impact of the information that you are giving them. Learn how to read your financial statements and, more importantly, how to structure them to your advantage. Includes a comprehensive workbook.

General Business Practices
Hone your skills in time management, negotiations, marketing, TQM and several other key business practices. Hands on ideas that you can implement straight away. Includes a comprehensive workbook.

You Charge WHAT Per Hour?
This program is based on the successful book of the same name. One contractor says he makes an additional $20,000 profit a year from following just one idea in the book. Learn how to position yourself as a successful service contractor. This program is focused on those who want to develop a successful service business.

Pricing, Profits, & Cash Flow
Learn how to impact these critical areas of your business. Do you know how to calculate your break even sales? Do you know how to double your profits? Do you know the importance of working capital and how to use it to your advantage? These and other key elements of a successful business are covered in this module. Includes a comprehensive workbook.

Introduction to Project Management
This course is designed to give new project managers, project team members, and support staff an understanding of the essentials to achieve project success.  Participants will learn terminology and standards that assist in planning projects and project communications – the sources of most project difficulties.  This is an ideal course for field personnel entering management or to kick-off a project team.

Mechanical Construction Estimating & Purchasing
A hands-on workshop using a neutral case study, presents a tool to break a project into manageable pieces.  Offers estimating techniques to assist in achieving accurate activity estimates.  Introduces a step-by-step method to create a project schedule, and estimating the project resources and costs.

Negotiating For Success
The secrets of successful negotiators are the application of a structured methodology.  Learn to use this methodology to negotiate with your customers, suppliers, your boss and your employees to achieve successful solutions.  This hands-on workshop will include practice time with “real-life” scenarios.

Planning and Control
You can only manage what you can measure. Unless you keep control of your projects form day one how will you maximize the profits and minimize the risk? Use these techniques to increase your rate of success. Includes a comprehensive workbook.

Construction Purchasing
A guide to techniques for purchasing and subcontracting for contractors.  Topics include an introduction to contract law, contract types, expediting and logistics, centralized vs. decentralized purchasing, sourcing suppliers and making purchasing decisions, processes, and standard templates and forms.  A discussion of standard documents issued by the Canadian Construction Association will be included.

Change Notice Management
This course is designed specifically for the contracting industry professional with project responsibilities. The course deals with management of the change notice process.  Students are introduced to the concept of change notice and its effect on the “Base project”. In class exercises are conducted and practical examples of change notices are analyzed. A workshop environment is employed, case studies are reviewed, and techniques for managing the change notice process are taught and demonstrated. Students are expected to take an active role in all group work.