What Mandel Communications does

Mandel Communications is a private, technology-driven communication skills training company founded in 1983 by Steve Mandel and incorporated in 1995, headquartered in Capitola, California. The company develops and delivers a portfolio of proprietary communication frameworks and workshops, including the registered SCIPAB messaging methodology, The Mandel Blueprint storytelling framework, The Mandel Listening Profile assessment, The Extraordinary Presenter, The Influential Conversation, The Listening Edge, and Influence with Stories. These are delivered through instructor-led workshops (in-person, live virtual, and hybrid), a self-paced Corporate MOOC called The Breakthrough Communicator, an AI-driven mobile coaching app developed in partnership with Orai, one-on-one executive coaching, Train-the-Trainer certification, and a workforce upskilling/reskilling program. The company also publishes a Train-the-Trainer certification and an executive briefing program practice that has held Preferred Supplier status with the Association of Briefing Program Managers (ABPM) for over two decades.

Mandel's customer base is concentrated in enterprise accounts, with a stated reach of "hundreds of Fortune 1000" organizations and named logos spanning technology (Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, HP Enterprise, Workday, ServiceNow, Okta, VMware, BMC, Siemens, Lenovo, Hitachi, Genentech, PTC, Datrium), financial services (Fidelity, Citi, Verizon), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (United Healthcare, Boston Scientific, Aetna, Theravance Biopharma), insurance (The Hartford, The Standard), energy (Chevron), professional services (McKinsey & Company), and manufacturing (Masco, LexisNexis). Training is delivered globally in 75 countries and 14 languages.

The business model is primarily professional services, with quote-based pricing that varies by group size, format, duration, and customization. Revenue streams include corporate training, executive coaching, public workshops for individual enrollment, and licensing/royalties from the Train-the-Trainer certification program. The company's go-to-market is enterprise field sales to Fortune 1000 organizations, supported by inside sales (888-547-8852), event-driven public workshops as a lower-funnel entry point, and — most recently — an exclusive license partnership with Vantage Partners through which Mandel training solutions are now delivered globally. Mandel has not raised disclosed outside funding, is founder-controlled with Ed Musselwhite serving as CEO since 1998, and reports a headcount of 51-100.

Name

Mandel Communications

Legal name

Mandel Communications

Website

https://mandel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mandel Communications is a private, global communication skills training company founded in 1983, serving Fortune 1000 enterprises with proprietary frameworks (SCIPAB, Mandel Blueprint, Listening Profile) delivered via workshops, digital learning, AI coaching, and executive coaching across 75 countries and 14 languages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Communication Skills Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Services (Onsite/Virtual Instruction, Workshops, Coaching) (BPAEANAN)

Keywords

• Communication skills training
• Presentation skills training
• Executive coaching services
• Sales enablement training
• Corporate soft skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Capitola

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Training Services: B2B professional services revenue from delivering communication skills training programs to enterprise organizations. Services include workshop facilitation, curriculum customization, and training delivery across multiple modalities (in-person, virtual, digital, hybrid). Revenue is generated through program fees based on group size, duration, and customization requirements.
2. Executive Coaching: One-on-one coaching services for executives to improve communication skills, executive presence, and high-stakes presentation capabilities. Delivered by experienced Mandel coaches.
3. Public Workshops: Open enrollment workshops available to individual professionals. Participants pay registration fees to attend live virtual or in-person small group sessions to experience Mandel's approach.
4. Train-the-Trainer Certification: Program launched in 2015 that trains organizations' in-house staff to deliver Mandel training programs, providing certification and ongoing support.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Mandel Communications delivers technology-driven communication skills training and executive coaching services to enterprise organizations, delivered through in-person workshops, live virtual sessions, digital self-paced programs, and hybrid formats. The company sells proprietary methodologies (SCIPAB messaging framework, Mandel Blueprint storytelling framework, Mandel Listening Profile assessment) bundled with facilitated training, one-on-one executive coaching, and AI-driven reinforcement tools to Fortune 1000 companies and hyper-growth organizations globally.

Product overview

Mandel Communications offers a comprehensive portfolio of communication skills training solutions consisting of instructor-led workshops, digital learning experiences, coaching services, and proprietary methodologies. The core workshop offerings include The Extraordinary Presenter (flagship 2-day presentation skills program), The Influential Conversation (conversation skills), Influence with Stories (storytelling), The Listening Edge (listening skills), and The Breakthrough Communicator (messaging). These are complemented by digital solutions including The Breakthrough Communicator Online (gamified cohort-driven e-learning) and an AI-Driven Mobile Coaching App (developed with Orai). The company also provides specialized services for Sales Enablement, Executive Coaching, Executive Briefing Programs, Workforce Upskilling & Reskilling, and Event Speaker Training. Mandel's proprietary frameworks include The Mandel Blueprint (storytelling framework) and SCIPAB (messaging framework), along with the Mandel Listening Profile assessment tool. Training is delivered in multiple formats: in-person, live virtual, online/digital, hybrid, and through Train-the-Trainer certification. The company operates globally, delivering training in 14 languages across 75 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Mandel Blueprint: Easy-to-use storytelling framework for engaging in listener-centric conversations and delivering narrative-driven presentations
• SCIPAB
• The Extraordinary Presenter
• The Listening Edge
• The Breakthrough Communicator
• Influence with Stories

Products and services

• The Extraordinary Presenter Mandel's flagship 2-day presentation skills training workshop in which participants learn to understand audiences, craft powerful messages, speak with impact, build authentic connection, and credibly deliver memorable presentations. Designed for enterprise professionals who need to present to internal and external audiences.
• Present Your Ideas at the Executive Level A 2-day workshop developing confidence and executive presence to effectively engage with senior leadership, with executive feedback integrated as a critical component. Designed for professionals who need to influence C-suite and senior decision-makers.
• The Extraordinary Presenter Essentials A one-day condensed version of The Extraordinary Presenter covering fundamental skills for delivering powerful presentations in any environment.
• Present Your Ideas at the Executive Level Essentials A one-day workshop covering essential skills for presenting to executives, including audience thinking, story crafting, and executive presence.
• The Breakthrough Communicator (workshop) Workshop that trains employees to think deeply about their audience, craft a compelling message using proven frameworks, and engage with executive presence. Designed for groups of 24 to 5,000 participants.
• The Influential Conversation Workshop that transforms customer-facing professionals into trusted advisors by building skills in insightful questioning, active listening, and practical solution advocacy.
• The Influential Conversation Essentials One-day workshop addressing common conversation challenges, covering listening to understand, assessing audience pressure points, and maintaining focus on desired outcomes.
• Influence with Stories Storytelling skills training teaching participants three key story archetypes and how to apply them in real-world settings to influence action.
• The Listening Edge Half-day workshop that trains participants to consciously shift listening and thinking processes to become dramatically better listeners. Includes the Mandel Listening Profile assessment.
• Listening Skills Workshop (Neuroscience-Backed / Listening Intelligence) Neuroscience-backed workshop launched in 2020 that improves communication through Listening Intelligence, using research on how the brain processes auditory information to develop listening awareness and skills.
• Master the Virtual Meeting A 90-minute workshop equipping participants with virtual meeting skills including planning, engagement, participant motivation, and enriching virtual experiences.
• Master the Virtual Briefing Workshop that equips discussion leaders with four essential virtual briefing skills: planning relevant content, engaging with presence, motivating participation, and enriching virtual experiences.
• The Breakthrough Communicator Online Gamified, self-paced, cohort-driven online learning experience with video-recorded practice, peer feedback, and expert coaching. Scalable from 25 to 5,000+ participants.
• The Breakthrough Communicator Online — Digital Sales Enablement Sales boot camp digital solution that combines sales strategy, product training, and essential soft skills development for global remote salesforces.
• Sales Enablement Solution Scalable sales enablement and sales readiness training solution that transforms sales team communication skills for competitive go-to-market plays, including messaging, customer conversations, and executive presence.
• Executive Coaching One-on-one coaching with Mandel Executive Coaches to help leaders develop critical communication skills, including strategic communication and high-stakes event preparation.
• Executive Briefing Programs Training and consulting services for executive briefing programs, including The Extraordinary Presenter for Discussion Leaders workshop and briefing coaching services for customer-facing briefing centers.
• Workforce Upskilling & Reskilling Scalable training experience for large-scale workforce development, including new hire onboarding, internship training, and broad-based communication skills deployment.
• Event Speaker Training Keynote and event speaker training service that helps speakers improve content and delivery for conferences, shareholder meetings, webinars, and high-profile events.
• AI-Driven Mobile Coaching App (with Orai) Artificial Intelligence-powered speech coaching mobile application developed in partnership with Orai, used for communication skills reinforcement and ongoing practice after live training engagements.
• Train-the-Trainer Certification Certification program that trains organizations' in-house staff to deliver Mandel training programs, providing certification and ongoing support.
• Mandel Listening Profile (Assessment Tool) Scientifically validated cognitive assessment that measures what participants habitually listen for and what they may unconsciously filter out. First listening assessment designed for business contexts.
• Public Workshops Open-enrollment live virtual and in-person workshops available to individual professionals and smaller groups, allowing them to experience Mandel's communication training methodology before larger organizational engagements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% Net Promoter Score achieved (vs. industry benchmark of 32%)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Vantage PartnersflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Vantage Partners serves as the Exclusive License Partner for Mandel Communications' training solutions. This is a flagship channel partnership where Vantage delivers Mandel's proven presentations and conversations training and coaching solutions to clients globally. The partnership combines Mandel's methodology with Vantage's delivery capabilities, providing clients with unmatched training efficiency, depth, and results.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wilson Learning: Wilson Learning delivers sales, communication, and leadership development training to global enterprises across multiple industries—comparable methodology-driven, enterprise-focused training business model.
• Sandler Training: Sandler Training provides enterprise sales and communication skills training via a global franchise network, serving SMB through Fortune 1000—directly comparable sales enablement and communication training focus.
• Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts): Crucial Learning offers training in communication, influence, and leadership skills to enterprise clients with methodologies comparable to Mandel's SCIPAB and Blueprint frameworks, including bestselling books (Crucial Conversations).
• Dale Carnegie & Associates: Dale Carnegie is a global leader in corporate training for communication, presentation, and leadership skills with a 100+ year history serving enterprise clients—directly comparable to Mandel's positioning, target market, and workshop-based delivery model.
• FranklinCovey: FranklinCovey delivers enterprise leadership, communication, and effectiveness training to Fortune 1000 clients through workshops, digital platforms, and coaching—directly overlapping with Mandel's communication skills and leadership development offerings.
• Vantage Partners: Vantage Partners is Mandel's exclusive license partner for delivery, but is itself a provider of negotiation, communication, and influence training to enterprises—operating the same training category with overlapping methodologies.

Emerging players

• Yoodli: Yoodli is an AI-powered communication coaching platform that uses speech analytics to help individuals improve presentation and communication skills—a direct emerging competitor in AI-driven communication training and reinforcement.
• BetterUp: BetterUp is an AI-driven coaching and professional development platform targeting enterprise HR and L&D buyers—directly adjacent to Mandel's coaching and corporate training offerings, with a technology-first delivery model that competes for the same budget.
• Toastmasters International: Toastmasters is the largest global organization for communication and public speaking skills development, primarily serving individuals rather than B2B enterprise—but offers a comparable core competency in communication skills practice and reinforcement.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm whose leadership and professional development practice offers executive coaching, communication, and training services at the enterprise level—broader portfolio but overlapping communication training capability.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MandelCommunications
• Facebookfacebook.com/MandelCommunications
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mandel-communications
• Xx.com/mandelcomm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mandel Communications