Conversations That Convert: Getting Results by Speaking the Language of Decision Makers

Have you ever felt the conversations you have with decision-makers miss the mark? It is as if you’re speaking a different language. This lack of communication can quickly kill a decision – or delay it and create more work — resulting in a negative impact on the company’s health and future. Part of the problem is that very often, the issue or solution is not in the decision maker’s realm of expertise.

Today’s professionals must know exactly what to say and how to say it, by using language that resonates no matter what business area that decision-maker works in. This program shares techniques, tips, and tricks to master when communicating with a colleague, leader, or client who has the power to decide on something that is not their specialty.

Join us for an in-person dinner event (with virtual option if you aren’t local), presenting a unique view on communications and a toolset for anyone who needs to get decisions made or communicate with clients or leadership. Topic is broadly based, making it easy for all generations in the company to learn and use, and creates a clear basis of understanding how to get information across to those you work with and for.

What You’ll Learn:

• The Five Languages of Business and their powerful application to driving decisions.
• Identifying the language of the person across the tablefrom you
• Ways to quickly translate a problem or needfrom your language into the decision-maker’s language so they get it and can say yes!
  

Who Should Attend:

• This session is ideal for AEC administrative and operations professionals who regularly communicate across roles, including:
• Firm Administrators, Office Managers, and Operations Leads
• HR, Finance, and Marketing professionals
• Project/Construction Administrators and Coordinators
• Anyone who needs approvals, resources, decisions, or client buy-in

Presenter:  Jess Hickey (1029 Consulting)

An engineer turned operations maven, Jess Hickey brings her right/left brain balance to helping everyone run their businesses better. As a consultant, she’s the expert in organizational structure, operations, finance, IT, marketing, administration (she was an administrator in one career), and HR. Based on her experience in this area as well as the communication requirementsfrom her corporate career, she published a book on how to communicate for results — “Stop Pushing String: Getting Decisions Make with the Five Languages of Business”.

As a CEO peer advisory leader, she facilitates business owners, founders and CEOs in their leadership development, company growth, and decision-making, all focused on improving their business, their families, and their communities. As a speaker, Jess brings enthusiasm, energy, and a bit of humor to her presentations. Always looking to elevate others’ success, her presentations give practical and simple approaches to gnarly problems. When she’s not presenting, facilitating, or writing, you can find her sailing on Puget Sound on the family boat. Ask her about the story of 1029.

Cost to Attend:  Free for SDA Pacific Northwest Members/ SDA Members of other Chapters - $10.00/ Non-Members - $20.00

Eligible for 1.0 hour CEU - Operations, Leadership

Deadline to Register: May 27, 2026

Register Here:   https://sdapnw.org/event/conversations-that-convert/