Summary report on Kitchell seminar

Kitchell is a real-estate development company that also does a number of construction and engineering services. The company held a seminar and presentation, in which there were some participants who well-versed in technical aspects of projects and their development. It invited high caliber and technical-minded potential clients to the seminar. In the first few slides, the presentation started by making a clear explanation of the benefits of working with Kitchell Company. The company demonstrated how they manage to accomplish tasks on time, and sometimes they even complete projects two months ahead of schedule. They showed how they manage to reduce the cost of project construction, which in turn benefits both the client and the company. The company also demonstrated how they give high quality services in construction, enable the client to make tax savings, and observe high safety standards. In the next series of slides, the presenter continued with an explanation of the various types of organizations they have worked with, and a listing of clients that included educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and commercial entities. In the third series of slides, the presentation explained how the company’s operations are organized into business divisions, according to the type of service rendered. Firstly, they have a structural fabrication division, which engages in refurbishing and fabricating of buildings. Buildings are converted from one use, and customized to another use as per client’s requirements. Secondly, they have a property management division, which offers property management services for owners of properties, such as caretaking, rental services and so on. Thirdly, the company has a consultation division, which offers consultation services for complex engineering matters, where they provide solutions to clients and undertake contracts for construction projects. Fourthly, there is a project development and management division, which is involved with planning, designing, and executing projects in accordance with customer specifications. They also give the clients a selection of pre-designed models, and carry out the actual construction work when need be. Finally, the company has a real-estate development division, which is their biggest business unit. This division carries out large scale construction projects owned by the company and later sold to clients.

In a fourth series of slides, the company demonstrated their superiority and competitiveness in which enables them to survive in the industry. They cited some of the largest projects they have accomplished. Among their main construction and fabrication projects shown in the slides are Denver Hospital, Texas Hospital, and Ohio Hospital, as well as rehabilitation of Phoenix Children’s home. Finally the presentation ended with a brief show in picture form, of some of their accomplished projects. The presentation ended with an appeal for the participants to close deals with the company.

Reflection

The presentation by Kitchell was a good one, and it is arranged in an orderly sequence. A company presentation is meant to capture the interest of potential clients, some who are keen on detail and technical aspects. It must therefore be interesting and not superficial. The discerning participant wants to know the truthful profile of the company, not the marketing gimmicks, whitewashing, and advertisements, that come with presentations. Kitchell Company presented a professional CV and a well-balanced presentation to its potential customers, knowing that there is competition from other rivals in the industry.

The speaker notes in the presentation however seemed a little too aggressively written in the beginning. I would have preferred they took a soft stance because it was the beginning of the presentation. The abrasive approach works well if one is dealing with a highly witted clientele, who need quick answers and a broad picture of where the presentation is headed, in the case of this presentation the pitch scored well. The presentation made a lot of use of graphics and pictures, which made the presentation interesting, living up to the maxim that a single picture is worth a lot of explanations. Picture presentation show that careful work went into the production of the slides.  By showing pictures of designs, plans, and completed projects, the company is telling the viewer that they are confident of the quality of their work. This also enables the participants to relate and connect with the company.

I have doubts with the claims in the presentation about cutting down costs of construction. My understanding of cost is that both the client and the contractor work within a given budget and will have a contract price. If the contractor makes savings after signing the contract, they will most likely not pass it on to the client, and similarly surcharge on the project is unlikely unless the contract specifically states so. The contract price is a pre-contract agreement and therefore if any cheaper options were found then, they cannot be called a saving, but rather a lower contract price. Kitchell has not made their cost saving statement clear. The presentation also does not show how tax-savings are made, except stating that they would complete the project ahead of time (which could start the client’s operations earlier).