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

The Designing Architectural Practice Success course has been designed to give you an understanding of foundational business concepts and how they may be applied to your practice.

Over eight weeks, you’ll learn about key areas of business, including finance, sales and marketing, vision, structure, leadership and management.

The DAPS 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 course 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 DAPS Course you'll receive the following

  • 8 modules delivered over 8 weeks

  • Lifetime access to the course materials

  • Access to coaches to provide feedback to your questions

  • 65 page downloadable Workbook

  • Numerous downloadable templates

  • Exclusive access to our closed Facebook Group

Pricing options

Save by paying upfront, or alternatively make three monthly payments.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction to DAPS

    • Welcome to the DAPS Course
  • 2

    Module 1: Introduction to Business

    • 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

    • Recap on Module 1
  • 3

    Module 2: 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

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

    • Subtopic 6: How to set your vision

    • Subtopic 6 Quiz

    • Module 2 Recap
  • 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 & Templates
  • 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 & Templates
  • 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

    • Subtopic 5 Quiz

    • Subtopic 6: Create Your Sandwich Story

    • Subtopic 6 Quiz

    • Subtopic 7: Sales KPIs

    • Subtopic 7 Quiz

    • Module 5 Recap & Templates
  • 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

    • Module 6: Recap
  • 8

    Module 7: Understanding the numbers

    • 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

    • Download the Workbook for Module 7

    • 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 & Templates
  • 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

Bonus material

In addition to the full course you will also receive the following bonus material

  • Grow Your Referrals Course

    In this Grow Your Referrals Course, we will provide you with a structure for how to approach referral sources for your business. We’ll walk you through an easy step-by-step process that will help you cultivate these sources so that they provide you with warm leads. Plus, we’ll reveal the one-line that will help empower and encourage your clients to refer more business to you.

  • Time Management Course

    In this Time Management Course , we will give you the tools you need to increase your productivity and achieve your goals more effectively. We’ll also provide you with a framework that will help give your role more structure, so you can focus on the important things and not waste your time. Additionally, you’ll get Ray’s Top Five Time Management Tips.

Meet your DAPS 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.

Watch Intro Video

Case Study: Jean Graham of Winter Architecture

FAQ

  • How much does the course cost?

    The course costs USD$1,499. There is no tax payable on this amount.

  • Do you offer payment plans?

    Yes, you may select to pay for the course in three, monthly instalments of USD$499.67. The first payment is deducted from your account upon registration. The next two instalments are deducted at 30 days and 60 days after your initial payment.

  • Are there any ongoing fees?

    No. Once you sign up, you have Lifetime Access to the DAPS Course. 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?

    Only one person in the practice has to pay. You and your team will then get full access to the course.

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

    We offer a 30 day, 100% money back guarantee on the course. If you decide you don’t like it or it’s not for you, then as long as you contact us before Module 5 is launched then 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 course as I'm fairly busy right now?

    This is not a ‘time heavy’ course. We will introduce and explain key concepts to you so that you can evaluate these in the context of your own practice. Is this concept relevant to me? Is it relevant to me now? Do I want to make changes in my practice now or in the future? Sometimes these thoughts are best reflected upon over a glass of wine or a quiet dinner with your business partners. Business can be fun!

  • Have you worked with practices outside of Australia?

    Yes, we have had people from practices in multiple countries complete our DAPS course. The materials are specifically designed to be applicable for all architectural practices, regardless of where you're located.

  • What’s included in the weekly Live FAQ calls? Do I need to participate in these?

    The live Q&A calls are purely optional. We consider questions we’ve received from our students or people can raise questions in the session. You can ask a question or simply listen in to the discussion. You could submit a question via email if you don’t feel comfortable asking a question live. These sessions happen regularly so it’s perfectly okay to ‘dip in.’

  • Do I need to join the Facebook Group?

    We understand that it can feel overwhelming to add one more place to check for information, or that you may be hesitant to share your story with strangers. But we highly encourage you to join for the extra support, and to get answers to your questions in real time.

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

Enrolments

Registrations for our 2020 course have closed. Our next course will be launching in early 2021.