Unlock the Power of Influence: Your Advantage with Clients, Colleagues, and Content

Join us in this skill-enhancing workshop, where you will learn how to develop and continuously improve your ability to influence clients, colleagues, and team partners.

We will share groundbreaking insights from Yale’s School of Management and behavioral scientists, revealing what really influences decision-making and audience behavior. Spoiler alert: It’s not what you think!

You will learn to integrate a more audience-centered approach in presentations, proposals, content, client development, and daily conversations.

The What

Successful leaders possess a remarkable ability to influence others. What do they intuitively know—and apply—in everyday actions, conversations, and client engagements?

In this interactive, practical, and fun workshop, participants will delve into:

1) Strategic insights from behavioral research on influence, adapted for everyday use by marketing and BD professionals

2) Unveiling the true desires of clients and stakeholders – and learning how to uncover their hidden aspirations

3) Application of influential skills in all facets of professional communication—marketing content, proposals, presentations, websites, and business development

The How

Workshop leaders Reilly and Sykes will unveil powerful lessons drawn from business research on client and customer behavior. A key revelation is that influence naturally happens when our audience, client, or employee feels "seen" - and can recognize how we, more than others, will help fulfill their primary interests.

For influence and persuasion to come about, our audience messages must resonate, creating a clear view of a better experience - and a better future for their organization. Too often, communications in A/E/C and other industries miss the mark by focusing on what's important to the sender rather than what truly connects with the audience.

The Value

Through interactive learning and a breakout session, participants will gain practical knowledge illustrated by examples drawn from inside and outside the A/E/C world. The aim is to provide fresh ideas and enhance communication skills to apply not just the next day —and every day – as a valued and influential leader.

Audience Takeaways

• Discover how influence works in the minds of an audience, and why most of us need to reset our assumptions about what they need from us.

• Learn how to harness individual strengths and life experiences to create content and conversations that connect with client audiences.

• Apply the workshop content to the real-time needs and messages of your firm.

• Prepare for leadership responsibilities by expanding your influence value and effectiveness.

Conference Session Tracks

• Domain Track: Promotional Activity, Business Development & Management

• Career Track: Early Career, Mid-Level & Senior

Mike Reilly, FSMPS is an independent communications and public relations consultant working with B2B clients on strategy, content, and media. In addition to his consulting and training work, Mike is an adjunct professor at Boston University, teaching "Leadership and Executive Presence' to adult learners in BU’s Center for Professional Education. He also teaches an undergrad course, 'Media Strategy and Management,' each semester since 2013 at BU's College of Communication. Mike is a past national and Boston chapter president of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and recipient of the SMPS Weld Coxe Marketing Achievement Award, the society’s highest individual honor. He earned an MS in Communications from Boston University and a BS in Journalism from Suffolk University.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

Krista Sykes is a writer, researcher, and communications strategist focused on architecture and design. Based in Cambridge, MA, she works with AEC firms, academic institutions, and industry-related publications, helping them engage with their specific audiences, both professional and general. Krista has taught at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Rhode Island School of Design, and Boston Architectural College, and she served as the director of SMPS Boston’s Education Committee from 2012-14. Krista holds a PhD in architectural history from Harvard University and a BA in architecture.

Connect with Krista on LinkedIn.