Engineering Buisness Management Seminar/Education

[alynch]

I am a principal in a small structural engineering firm and have been asked to start preparing to be a branch manager within the next year. I would like to take a so called "bootcamp" class on how to manage and run an engineering firm.

Anyone have a recommendations on where I can find a class or program? Or if there are any professional associations that have possible seminars available?

Thanks.

 

[rowingengineer]

I was in a similar situation about 2 years ago, I didn't find any classes that I would recommend however I have been getting help from a psychologist on how to deal with people and manage people and situation. This advice has been very helpful.

http://www.nceng.com.au/

"A safe structure will be the one whose weakest link is never overloaded by the greatest force to which the structure is subjected” Petroski 1992

 

[eyec]

try your local community college. my local has various level PMP courses. the one to prepare you for the PMP certification could be considered as a bootcamp for your purposes.

good luck

 

[FixedEarth]

Not a small task, because the skills needed to run a 5 person company is same as that required for a 20 person firm.

Visit your local say Barnes & Noble store and read and later buy books on traditional marketing, online marketing, website optimization, cash flow analysis, art of collections, proposal preparation, pricing, managing technical staff, differentiation and growing a consulting business. Subscribe to Inc. magazine.

Benefit from the retired executives by visiting SCORE.org website.

Also make sure you really like the entrepreneurial side, since this will involve many months of learning and long hours in running a business. If you are content on being a technical person or dread the "business" side of structural engineering, hire an office manager & a business development consultant.

It is very rewarding on most days and rather addicting. Best of luck.

 

[cry22]

I have attended a PMSJ bootcamp. I highly recommend their seminars.

http://www.psmj.com/training-and-education/seminars-and-bootcamps.html

http://www.psmj.com/training-and-education/seminars-and-bootcamps/17-aec-principals-bootcamp.html