AIA Business Academy
A high-impact, four-part intensive program designed to equip firm leaders with the strategy, leadership, and financial skills to scale their practice and drive long-term success.
High-impact, strategic bootcamp
Struggling to scale, communicate your value proposition, or implement a sustainable business strategy? Leading an architecture firm takes more than great design—it requires strategic vision, strong leadership, and business acumen to strengthen your value proposition, build a high-performing team, and ensure long-term success.
AIA Business Academy consists of four intensive, hands-on sessions—two virtual and two in-person—kicking off June 4 at AIA25 in Boston. You’ll learn from top MBA university professors as they guide you in developing a strategic plan that aligns with your firm’s value proposition, adapts to market shifts, and drives measurable long-term success.
Earn up to 22.75 LUs
Through expert-led discussions, cohort collaboration, and real-world case studies, you’ll refine your firm’s value proposition, strengthen your decision-making, and implement high-impact strategies to lead your practice effectively. By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:
- Develop a compelling value proposition
- Evaluate market opportunities
- Create a personalized strategic plan
- Implement negotiation strategies
- Use data-driven decision-making
Program schedule & overview
The bootcamp consists of four sessions—two virtual and two in-person—over seven months with minimal required coursework outside of scheduled sessions, keeping the workload manageable for participants. Assignments are estimated to be less than eight hours outside of scheduled class time.
Each session builds on the last, giving you a complete roadmap to sharpen your strategic thinking, improve execution, and grow a resilient, future-ready firm.
Location: AIA Conference on Architecture & Design in Boston
6 LUs
Strategic success for architecture and design firms starts with a clear value proposition, strong positioning, and meaningful relationships. In this session, you’ll craft a compelling value proposition that aligns with your firm’s strengths and market opportunities. Using a strategic thinking framework, you’ll assess how internal capabilities and external forces shape competitive positioning. The session also highlights the power of relationships—demonstrating how trust and collaboration drive firm growth. Through interactive discussions and exercises, you’ll refine your messaging and leverage strategic partnerships for a competitive edge.
- Develop a compelling value proposition that aligns with client needs and market positioning.
- Apply strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTEL, and Porter’s Five Forces to assess market opportunities.
- Strengthen industry relationships and stakeholder engagement to enhance competitive positioning.
- Craft tailored messaging using storytelling and data to communicate your firm’s unique value.
Location: Virtual
2 LUs
Strong leadership in architecture and design firms goes beyond technical expertise—it requires the ability to develop talent, delegate effectively, and foster a thriving firm culture. This session equips you with the skills to build high-performing teams, drive accountability, and execute strategy with confidence. Through leadership best practices, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions, you’ll refine your ability to enhance team productivity, improve client satisfaction, and align daily decision-making with long-term business goals.
- Apply leadership strategies to develop talent, delegate effectively, and strengthen accountability.
- Evaluate how firm culture impacts productivity and client relationships, and implement strategies for improvement.
- Analyze case studies to identify key leadership insights for successful strategy execution.
- Align decision-making with strategic goals to ensure long-term success in the AEC industry.
Location: Virtual
2 LUs
Sustainable growth in architecture and design firms requires a clear strategy, data-driven insights, and smart decision-making. This session provides a practical framework to identify new opportunities, refine market positioning, and implement strategies that align with your firm’s goals. You’ll assess competitive landscapes, define strategic challenges, and justify decisions using financial data. Through interactive exercises and case studies, you’ll develop actionable strategies that drive innovation and long-term success.
- Define strategic challenges and apply a structured process to develop firm-specific solutions.
- Assess the business environment using tools to analyze customer segments, key partnerships, and unique value propositions.
- Evaluate market positioning by identifying distinctive offerings that align with client needs and industry trends.
- Justify strategic decisions using financial data, translating insights into a clear implementation plan for growth.
Location: AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design in Washington, D.C.
6 LUs
Sustaining growth in architecture and design firms requires more than a solid strategy—it demands accountability, adaptability, and effective execution. This session equips you with the leadership skills and strategic tools to foster accountability and drive long-term success. Using the Business Model Canvas, you’ll assess key business components, evaluate market opportunities, and refine strategies to align with firm capabilities and evolving market conditions. The session also explores diversification and vertical integration, helping leaders identify expansion opportunities while managing risk. By the end, you’ll have a clear growth plan with accountability structures and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.
- Foster accountability by implementing leadership behaviors and systems that reinforce strategic execution.
- Apply the Business Model Canvas to evaluate firm profitability, adapt strategies, and respond to market shifts.
- Assess diversification and vertical integration opportunities while mitigating risks.
- Develop an actionable growth plan with accountability structures and KPIs for long-term success.
Meet your instructors
Learn from top MBA professors with extensive experience in business strategy, leadership, and executive education. With backgrounds in corporate consulting, executive coaching, and academic research, they bring real-world insights and proven frameworks to help you scale your firm.
Doug Bosse is the associate dean for international business programs, professor of strategic management, and the David Meade White Jr. chair in business at the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business. With 20+ years of experience in strategic planning and leadership alignment, he has worked with executives across industries, from multinational corporations to small firms. A former corporate strategy consultant, Doug is also an executive coach and board member. His research focuses on stakeholder management and innovation, and he holds a PhD from The Ohio State University.
Richard Coughlan is the faculty director for executive education and associate professor of management at the University of Richmond. An award-winning educator, he specializes in organizational behavior, consulting, and negotiations, teaching leaders at all levels—from emerging professionals to CEOs. With a background in hospitality management at Hyatt and Pebble Beach Resorts, he brings real-world leadership experience to the classroom. Richard earned his MBA and PhD in judgment and decision making from the University of Arizona.
Program options & pricing
Choose the program option that best fits your goals. Both options provide expert-led training, strategic insights, and AIA Learning Units (LUs), with the Program Plus package offering exclusive extras for deeper engagement.
Spots are limited and filling up fast—register today to secure your spot!
By registering for this course, you acknowledge and agree to the program's terms and conditions, and the AIA Event Code of Conduct.
Questions? Email us
Join an informational session with the academy ambassador on March 28 for an in-depth overview and discussion about the program.
Recommend a firm leader who could gain valuable insights and strategies from this intensive learning experience.
Is AIA Business Academy right for you?
Not sure if this advanced program is the right fit? Before signing up, you should be able to:
Understand basic business concepts like finance, marketing, and operations
Understand financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet, cash flow)
Collaborate effectively with teams and make informed decisions
Think strategically with a focus on long-term planning and growth
If not, please consider exploring AIAU's business fundamentals courses or check out the Business & Firm Prosperity Track at AIA25 to strengthen your skills before diving into this bootcamp.
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