Because you don’t know what you don’t know…

The Business Foundations Program (formerly known as Designing Architectural Practice Success, or DAPS Course) has been designed to give you an understanding of foundational business concepts and how they may be applied to your practice.

You’ll learn about key areas of business, including finance, sales and marketing, vision, structure, leadership and management.

The Business Foundations Program uses a unique delivery method. You’ll have the benefit of learning from and with your peers, what has and what hasn’t worked for them.

By the end of the program you will be able to identify the gaps in your knowledge and understanding so that you can plan for those areas of your practice that you’d like to develop. Our aim is to give you the tools you need to start your journey to a more fulfilling, profitable and happier life as an architect.

What you get

When you sign on for the Business Foundations Program you'll receive the following:

  • 9 modules (immediate access)

  • Bonus conversations with Industry Experts

  • Ongoing access to the course materials

  • 65 page downloadable Workbook

  • Numerous downloadable templates

  • Access to coaches to provide feedback to your questions

  • Exclusive access to the ArchiBiz Global Community

Program curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction to the Business Foundations Program

    • Welcome to the Business Foundations Program
  • 2

    Module 1: Introduction

    • Download the Workbook for Module 1

    • Subtopic 1: An introduction to business

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: The role of mindset

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: The learning process

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Subtopic 4: Change in business

    • Subtopic 4 Quiz

    • Subtopic 5: Technician to leader transformation

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

    • Module 1: Recap

    • Module 1: Extension
  • 3

    Module 2: Vision

    • Welcome to Vision

    • Download the Workbook for Module 2

    • Subtopic 1: Introduction to vision

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: Four Boxes Vision Model

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Car Journey at Night Model

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Subtopic 4: Perception

    • Subtopic 4 Quiz

    • Subtopic 5: Bungy Rope Model

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Subtopic 6: How to set your vision

    • Subtopic 6 Quiz

    • Module 2: Recap

    • Module 2: Extension
  • 4

    Module 3: Structure for success

    • Download the Workbook for Module 3

    • Subtopic 1: Business Strategy for an Architectural Practice

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: Business Structure

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Running a Board

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Module 3: Recap

    • Module 3: Extension
  • 5

    Module 4: Business efficiency

    • Download the Workbook for Module 4

    • Subtopic 1: Who Does What in Business

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: Responsibility, Accountability & Authority

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Three Functionality Questions

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Subtopic 4: Job Descriptions

    • Subtopic 4 Quiz

    • Subtopic 5: Recruitment

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

    • Module 4: Recap

    • Module 4: Extension

    • ArchiBiz Capacity Calculator

    • Practice Planning Document
  • 6

    Module 5: Business development

    • Download the Workbook for Module 5

    • Subtopic 1: The Concept of Sales

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: Stages of Sales

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Filling the Pipeline

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Subtopic 4: The Two Big Questions

    • Subtopic 4 Quiz

    • Subtopic 5: The Six Step Sales Process

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Subtopic 6: Create Your Sandwich Story

    • Subtopic 6 Quiz

    • Subtopic 7: Sales KPIs

    • Subtopic 7 Quiz

    • Module 5: Recap

    • Module 5: Extension

    • ArchiBiz Sales KPI Report Template
  • 7

    Module 6: Marketing

    • Download the Workbook for Module 6

    • Subtopic 1: What is Marketing?

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: Defining Your Tribe

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Building Client Personas

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Subtopic 4: Understanding Your Client Journey

    • Subtopic 4 quiz

    • Subtopic 5: Case Studies & Project Debriefs

    • Subtopic 5 quiz

    • Subtopic 6: Tenders & Marketing to Commercial Clients

    • Subtopic 6 quiz

    • Module 6: Recap

    • Module 6: Extension

    • An Architect's Marketing Roadmap

    • ArchiBiz Avatar Template
  • 8

    Module 7: Understanding the numbers

    • Download the Workbook for Module 7

    • Subtopic 1: Introduction to Finance

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: The Balance Sheet

    • Subtopic 2 Quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Profit & Loss Statement

    • Subtopic 3 Quiz

    • Subtopic 4: Budgeting

    • Subtopic 4 Quiz

    • Subtopic 5: Project vs. Business Budgeting

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

    • Subtopic 6: Cash Flow

    • Subtopic 6 Quiz

    • Subtopic 7: KPIs

    • Subtopic 7 Quiz

    • Module 7: Recap

    • Module 7: Extension

    • ArchiBiz Finance (Board) Reports
  • 9

    Module 8: Bringing it all together

    • Download the Workbook for Module 8

    • Subtopic 1: The Three Layers of Learning

    • Subtopic 1 Quiz

    • Subtopic 2: The Development Plan

    • Subtopic 2 quiz

    • Subtopic 3: Recap

    • Subtopic 3 quiz

    • Module 8: Reflections

    • Module 8: What's next?
  • 10

    Bonus Module: Industry Experts

    • Expert Session: Nikita Morell

    • Expert Session: Ian Motley

    • Expert Session: Ryan Sullivan

    • Expert Session: Alexandre Lourie

    • Expert Session: Chris Walsh

    • Expert Session: Amy Edwards

Meet your Mentor

Chief Mentor & Cofounder

Ray Brown

Ray is a business coach and entrepreneur who has worked in the UK, South Africa, and the US. He operated at CEO level for over 25 years before relocating to Australia in 2005.

Since June 2019, Ray has been leading the live versions of our programs.

Ray’s passion is helping business owners to realise their personal potential and that of their organisation.

He has coached a number of architectural practices in Melbourne, Australia and is former Chair of the Board of social data firm, Neighbourlytics.

Ray remains an active business coach in Melbourne. Many of the architects who completed the live program with Ray also continue to work with him individually.

Case Study: Jean Graham of Winter Architecture

FAQ

  • Can I pay in my local currency?

    Absolutely. All you have to do is scroll to the bottom left of the enrollment page and select your currency from the drop-down menu.

  • What is the tax payable on the course?

    Only Australians buying in AUD currency pay GST (Goods and Services Tax) on the course. If you are buying our courses from a jurisdiction outside of Australia, in an alternate currency, you will not be charged tax.

  • Do you offer payment plans?

    Yes. If you are looking for a payment plan, please reach out to us directly and we will manually set you up.

  • Are there any ongoing fees?

    No. Once you sign up, you have ongoing access to the course on Thinkific. This is the hub where you will find everything you need to create a sustainable and profitable practice. We get that there’s a lot to take in and that you’re going to want to come back and recap on various topics as issues arise in your practice. Simply login and it’s all there to access.

  • I have a business partner, do we both have to pay for the course?

    If you are only two people in your practice (whether business partners or not) and you would both like to do the program, you only have to pay once and both of you will get access. However, if you have more than 2+ people and you would like to do the program, please speak to us directly and we'll arrange a discount for your team.

  • If I decide the program isn't for me, can I get a refund?

    We offer a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee on our Business Foundations Program. If you decide you don’t like it or it’s not for you, then as long as you contact us within 30 days of enrolling, we will happily refund 100% of your money, no questions asked. We don’t want any unhappy clients.

  • How much of my time will it take to do the program as I'm fairly busy right now?

    This is entirely up to you. When you enroll, you get immediate access to all of the modules. Each module should take you about two hours. We suggest setting aside an additional hour or two per week to think through the material and complete the homework. We will introduce and explain key concepts to you so that you can evaluate these in the context of your own practice. All in all, it should take you about 8 to 10 weeks to complete.

  • Have you worked with practices outside of Australia?

    Yes, we have had people from practices in multiple countries complete our courses and engage with our coaching services, including the USA, Europe, South America, UK and New Zealand. The materials are specifically designed to be applicable for all architectural firms, regardless of where you're located.

  • If I have questions, who can I contact?

    We understand that the material can be a lot to digest. You will have access to our Course Community once you enroll in the program. There, you can seek support from Archibiz Mentors and your peers. We promise to respond to you within 48 hours.

What architects are saying

Making business simple

Anne Hindley, Hindley & Co

I like the way Ray cuts through all the business waffle and makes complex things seem simple and accessible.

Relating better to business

Antony Martin, MRTN Architects

I found it really helpful and beneficial. It's not only improved my business, but how I personally relate to my business.

Know what you don't know

Luke Madden, Tony Madden Architects

At the end of the 8 weeks, I got a base that holds me in good stead to know roughly what I need to be looking at and working towards.

I can't wait for next week!

Joost van Bree, Bree Architects

From the first module I walked away feeling this is great. I want to see more and can't wait for next week.

Get clarity in your practice

Brett Stonehouse, Irons McDuff Architecture

It has been refreshing to take an objective review of what we have been doing. It has provided some clarity and in some cases, positive reinforcement that we are on the right path.

A framework for business

Karryn Dargie, Inertia

The course has given us a framework for our business that we can weave our own creative tapestry across.

What are you waiting for?

Start your journey of building a sustainable & profitable practice today

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