Mi . chael Stro . goff, noun. 1. strategic, targeted, tenacious, patient and unassuming problem solver. 2. the calm between the storms: Michael Strogoff's disarming style allows him to present difficult options without ruffling feathers. 3. person highly skilled in connecting the dots. 4. someone who believes that anything is possible and everything is negotiable. -Syn. negotiator, facilitator, collaborator, industry leader.
Michael Strogoff, FAIA, has advised many of the nation's most successful architectural, engineering and interior design firms; managed large and complex projects over a 25 year career; and negotiated hundreds of agreements. He has trained hundreds of professionals to deliver powerful presentations, negotiate complicated agreements, develop strong leadership skills and manage complex projects. Michael has been awarded special Presidential Citations from AIA California Council and AIA San Francisco for his contributions to the design professions.
As a nationally sought-after speaker, Michael is articulate and insightful. He is regularly called upon for his advice by the American Institute of Architects, where he is serving as an advisor to its Practice Management Knowledge Community's 8,665 members and as a general resource to its over 80,000 members.
As a seasoned management consultant, Michael brings:
A design professional's background.
Michael is a licensed architect who has practiced since 1980. Unlike many other management consultants who have a finance, legal, marketing or human resources focus, Michael brings an in-depth knowledge of all areas of business practice and operations and an understanding of how these areas interrelate. Michael has managed dozens of complex projects (public and private, large and small) and understands the challenges and complexities associated with managing clients, staff and consultants.
A business owner's experience.
Mr. Strogoff's consulting advice and training is based on his 13 years of experience as the managing principal of a 40-person architecture and planning firm, over 20 years negotiating and managing complex projects and seven years of consulting closely with principals of some of the nation's most successful design firms. Michael understands the importance of having a strategic vision as well as a tactical roadmap.
An industry leader's perspective.
Michael is currently serving as an Advisory Group member to AIA's Practice Management Knowledge Community, which provides leadership and expertise on programs and policies related to project delivery, risk management, quality management, strategic planning, business development and practice management. He is also serving on AIA's Contract Documents Steering Committee and is working closely with AIA in its e-Knowledge initiative.
Michael has been widely cited in industry publications and has served on numerous committees including AIA California Council's Handbook on Project Delivery Task Force, AIA San Francisco's By-Laws Committee, and Coalition for Adequate School Housing's (C.A.S.H.) Model Owner-Architect Agreement Committee. Michael has advised over 100 of the nation's most successful architectural, engineering and design firms and has facilitated seminars at numerous professional organizations throughout the U.S.
His articles on management and negotiating have been featured in AIArchitect, Architectural Record, ASID's ICON, Engineering News Record, ae ProNet, PSMJ's Best Practices,, DPIC's Communique, Schinnerer/CNA's Guidelines, Dealey, Renton & Associates' AE Risk Review and numerous professional newsletters. He has been a featured speaker at AIA, ASID and Society of Design Administrators' national and state conventions, Structural Engineers Association of Northern California's Business Forum, insurance companies' practice management seminars, the Collaborative Process Institute, and a variety of SMPS events.
Proven negotiations strategies.
Mr. Strogoff has negotiated more than 400 agreements with large and sophisticated public entities and private clients, construction managers, joint venture partners and consultants on projects ranging from $500,000 renovations to $250 million new construction projects. He has studied negotiating theory and taught negotiations seminars to a wide variety of design firms, AIA chapters, engineering societies and related organizations.
Strategic marketing and business development successes.
Michael played a pivotal role in growing his own three-person practice to a multi-million dollar national firm. He has counseled and trained dozens of professional service firms in differentiating themselves from their competition, obtaining prized commissions, entering new markets, developing strategic alliances and improving their interview results. Michael's ability to understand clients' overarching concerns and identify the most salient marketing points has helped design professionals achieve remarkable marketing results.
Recent Achievements
- Chair, 2009 AIA National Convention Continuing Education Advisory Committee
- Member, 2009 AIA National Convention Advisory Committee
- Vice Chair, 2008 Practice Management Knowledge Community Advisory Group
- Co-organized 2007 PMKC/TAP Fall Conference "The Future of Professional Practice: The Next Generation of Integrated Delivery, Emerging Technology and Practice Management"
- AIA 2007 Contract Documents Business Plan Steering Committee member
- Frequent contributor to AIArchitect
- AIA Podcast - "Helping Architecture Firms and Practitioners Navigate an Economic Downturn"
- AIA Podcast - Ownership and Leadership Transitions
- Peer reviewer The Architect’s Handbook on Professional Practice, 14th Edition
- Presidential Citation from AIA San Francsico
- Presidential Citation from AIA California Council
- Speaker at over two dozen local, regional and state AIA chapters (client relationships, practice management, leadership transitions, negotations)
- Editor and Publisher of Negotiating Strategies Newsletter
- Facilitated development of contract forms widely used by California school districts and architect
