Results
We have delivered results for associations, private equity firms, and the Fortune 500.
More than 90% of our client base is from organic growth, referrals, or leaders who move to a new organization and bring us in. For many clients, we’ve moved beyond training on foundational presentation skills; we’ve developed programming that helps them adapt to new communication challenges, hybrid work, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities, and onboarding an influx of new employees or developing leaders.
Portico-trained speakers use presentations, meetings, and workplace conversations to drive better business outcomes.
We help your team take a more strategic approach to meetings and presentations. As a result, speakers will deliver on the big stage, and they will be faster on their feet for impromptu conversations. When speakers know what outcome they are working towards and understand how to engage the audience, they speak naturally and conversationally. It requires less work. This relaxed, intuitive confidence is the “feeling” that speakers aspire to and gives audiences the authenticity they crave. In the process, Portico speakers stay on message, get to the point, drop verbal fillers, read the room, and finish on time. These stylistic and speaking improvements are the by-product of having greater intention about when and how they engage colleagues, members, and investors.
Private Equity firms raise $400 million over Zoom.
The pandemic changed how private equity firms interacted with prospective investors, ending the traditional fundraising formula of building relationships in in-person.
One managing partner described their pitches via Zoom as “disjointed and awkward.”
We worked with private equity firms to help them transition to raising funds over Zoom, developing skills that continue to pay dividends with the return to in-person communication:
- Develop storytelling skills to build connections with prospective investors and portfolio companies
- Guidance to directors and associates on presenting as a group
- Help speakers find natural entry and exit points for the pitch deck and levels of detail
- Work with associates to develop executive presence
- Design PowerPoint templates and custom slides to make it easier for investors to follow.
“My clients hired Portico to help them tell compelling stories while getting key selling points across in the 60 minutes investors generally allocate for a meeting. Junior team members needed to build confidence and take more friendly reps, while senior team members needed blind spots pointed out.
Two clients raised over $400 million, almost entirely over Zoom, from sophisticated investors, including an Ivy League endowment, fund-of-funds, and family offices. Portico’s initial seminar gave my clients a push in the right direction, but the one one-on-one coaching helped each presenter jump multiple levels of skill.”
— Harken Capital
Associations maximize the member experience.
Member-driven organizations have ambitious agendas, with many audiences to answer to – from public policy forums to boards of directors. How associations communicate their work is as important as the work they do. Yet the pace and volume of work make it difficult for speakers to find time to prepare for member meetings or panel presentations.
We work with major associations to support speakers at key points in their work:
- Prepare recently promoted and new hires to run member meetings.
- Coach leaders for board meetings, creating more interactive and engaging sessions.
- Run specialized seminars on elevating member engagement, managing expectations and driving consensus.
- Design presentations for high-profile industry keynotes and hosted conferences.
- Review member surveys to identify opportunities to enhance communication.
“So much of our value prop comes down to the meeting experience. Do members get the insight and guidance they’re looking for? We can more confidently say “yes.” The custom training and follow-on coaching made it easier for everyone to elevate their meetings, with targeted support for less experienced speakers. We’re better prepared to onboard new staff and promote existing team members to more visible roles. Most importantly, we’re at 100% capacity for our membership.”
— Senior Vice President, Major Trade Association
Measure of success.
Expect more than a thought-provoking workshop or feel-good coaching session. Beyond experiencing a discernible difference in how your team communicates, we connect training to business results.
Here’s how we approach every engagement.