For firms ready to scale but operationally stretched
You need this if:
You're turning down work because you can't manage more projects
Financial reports sit in drawers because you don't know what they mean
Your BD efforts are reactive—you network but lack a systematic approach
You're unclear which market sectors align with your strengths
You're spending more time putting out fires than designing
Your leadership team needs structure and accountability
You're growing (or want to) but systems aren't keeping pace
What we do together:
Operations & Financial Management:
Firm Financial Management
Monthly financial forecasting and performance tracking
Resource planning and capacity analysis
Operations optimization and systems development
Career Tracks and Org Charts
Performance metrics and KPI tracking
On-demand HR and operational support
Business Development & Strategic Growth:
Market sector strategy and target client identification
BD process development and pipeline management
Brand positioning aligned with growth objectives
Relationship cultivation and outreach planning
Proposal strategy and win-rate improvement
Leadership & Strategic Planning:
Quarterly strategic planning sessions
Leadership team alignment and accountability
Decision-making frameworks and priority setting
Why This Works:
In successful A+D firms, operations, finance, and business development aren't siloed—they're interconnected. Your financial health determines what work you can pursue. Your operational capacity determines what you should pursue. Your brand and BD strategy determine who knows you can deliver. I help you manage all of it with the strategic clarity that comes from 25+ years inside the business.
Engagement Model:
Executive Operations Partner: (15-20 hours)
Full-spectrum support: finance, operations, BD strategy
Monthly strategic sessions + on-demand access
Best for: Firms with $5M-$15M revenue ready to scale
Strategic Operations Advisor: (10-12 hours)
Focused support on 2-3 priority areas
Monthly check-ins + quarterly planning
Best for: Firms with $3M-$8M revenue building infrastructure
Executive Coaching & Advisory: (2 hours)
Two 1-hour sessions per month
Email support between sessions
Best for: Principals/leadership needing ongoing strategic guidance without full operational support
Focus areas: leadership development, strategic decision-making, navigating specific challenges
6-month minimum commitment, then month-to-month
Service 2: OWNERSHIP TRANSITION PLANNING
For founding principals planning their next chapter
You need this if:
You're 5-10 years from retirement but don't have a plan
You want to step back but don't know how to structure it
You need to understand what your firm is worth
Your leadership team isn't ready to take over
You're worried about losing what you've built
You want to preserve firm culture through transition
What we do together:
Comprehensive firm valuation
3-7 year succession roadmap
Financial restructuring for transition
Leadership team development and readiness assessment
Culture preservation strategy
Equity transfer planning
Communication planning (staff, clients, industry)
The Process: We start with a comprehensive assessment of your firm's current state, your vision for transition, and your leadership team's readiness. Then we build a detailed roadmap with clear milestones, financial structures, and accountability measures. This isn't a theoretical plan—it's a practical guide for executing a successful transition over 3-7 years.
Engagement Model:
Fixed project fee
3-6 month timeline
Includes retreat facilitation and leadership team sessions
Optional ongoing advisory support after plan completion
Service 3: STRATEGIC RETREATS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
For firms investing in their leadership bench
You need this if:
Your strategic plan is 3+ years old (or non-existent)
Leadership team isn't aligned on direction
You're promoting principals but they're not ready to lead
Annual planning feels reactive rather than strategic
Firm culture is drifting as you grow
You need to make major decisions but lack clarity
What we do together:
Full-day or multi-day strategic planning facilitation
Leadership team alignment workshops
Individual executive coaching
"Blueprint for Success" planning intensive
Culture and vision development sessions
Business development strategy workshops
Financial planning and goal-setting retreats
Popular Workshop Topics:
Annual strategic planning and goal-setting
Business development and market positioning strategy
Ownership structure and equity planning
Leadership team effectiveness and communication
Financial performance and profitability planning
Firm culture definition and preservation
Engagement Model:
Full-day retreat:
Single topic deep-dive with leadership team
Pre-work and follow-up action planning included
Multi-day intensive:
Comprehensive planning covering multiple topics
Includes preparation, facilitation, and implementation roadmap
Individual executive coaching:
One-on-one coaching for principals and emerging leaders
2 sessions per month + email support
Ideal for principals navigating leadership transitions, major decisions, or developing their leadership capacity
Flexible focus based on your current priorities: strategic thinking, team dynamics, business development, ownership planning
Service 4: ALSO AVAILABLE
BD & BRAND STRATEGY CONSULTING
Not ready for ongoing COO support but need to sharpen your BD approach? I offer project-based engagements focused specifically on business development and strategic positioning.
You need this if:
You're relying on word-of-mouth but growth has plateaued
Your BD efforts feel random rather than systematic
You want to enter new markets or sectors but don't have a plan
Your brand doesn't reflect where the firm is going
Principals are spending too much time chasing work
You need to differentiate in a crowded market
What we do together:
Strategic brand positioning aligned with your vision and capabilities
Market sector analysis and target client identification
BD process development and pipeline management systems
Relationship cultivation strategies and outreach planning
Proposal and interview approach refinement
Marketing and communications strategy
BD team structure and accountability systems
What This Looks Like: Together we'll answer: Who are you trying to reach? What story are you telling? How do you systematically cultivate relationships? What does your BD process look like? How do you track and manage your pipeline? What role does each principal play in BD? How do you measure success?
This isn't about creating marketing collateral—it's about building the strategic framework and systematic processes that drive sustainable growth and position your firm for the work you want.
Engagement Model:
Strategic Planning Project:
Comprehensive BD strategy development
2-3 month timeline
Includes market analysis, process design, implementation roadmap
BD Strategy Workshop:
Full-day intensive with leadership team
Focused on immediate strategy and action planning
Ongoing BD Advisory: fixed fee/month
Strategy implementation support
Monthly check-ins and pipeline review
Best for firms executing new BD strategies
This works well for firms with solid operations who specifically need BD expertise, or as a starting point before a broader engagement.
ONGOING EXECUTIVE ADVISORY
For leaders who need strategic counsel, not full operational support
You're managing operations well enough, but you'd benefit from a trusted advisor in your corner—someone who knows architecture firms inside and out, who can be your thinking partner on tough decisions, and who's available when you need guidance.
What You Get:
Two 1-hour sessions monthly scheduled flexibly around your priorities
Email support between sessions for time-sensitive questions and decisions
Strategic guidance on leadership, operations, BD, or transitions
Accountability on key initiatives and goals
Investment: Fixed monthly cost | 6-month minimum commitment
This Is For You If:
You have operational capacity but need strategic counsel
You're navigating a specific challenge (transition, growth, team dynamics)
You want expert guidance without committing to full Fractional COO services
You're an emerging principal developing your leadership capacity
You value having a trusted advisor available between intensive engagements
Service 5: ON DEMAND ADVISORY
Need expert guidance but not ready for ongoing intense engagement?
Hourly consulting available at fixed hourly rate for:
Specific questions or strategic decisions
Document review (proposals, organizational charts, financial reports)
Second opinion on major initiatives
Short-term project support [like hiring of staff]
NOT SURE WHICH FITS?
Every firm's situation is unique. Schedule a 30-minute discovery call to discuss your specific needs and determine the right engagement model.
Schedule Discovery Call
CURRENT FOCUS AREAS:
Based on 8 years of client work, here's how my engagements typically break down:
60-70% – Operations & Financial Management (ongoing fractional COO support)
15-20% – Ownership Transition Planning (project-based succession planning)
10-15% – Business Development & Brand Strategy (both integrated and standalone)
5% – Leadership Coaching & Development (individual and team)
This reflects the reality that most growing A+D firms need comprehensive operational support that includes financial management, systematic business development, and strategic planning—not just one isolated service.
READY TO BUILD A STRONGER PRACTICE?
Whether you need full-spectrum operational support, a focused BD strategy, or help planning your transition, let's talk about what would serve your firm best. Schedule a 30-minute discovery call to discuss your firm's specific needs here.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: "Having Elisabeth available for monthly check-ins and email questions has been invaluable. She helps me think through decisions I'd otherwise make in isolation, and her perspective has saved me from several costly mistakes."
– Cathy Merrill, Merrill Morris Partners