How refreshing to see the design and construction industry show true commitment to technology! Check out Design and Construction Network's contest for the best website in our industry: 2009 Best Website Competition. Congratulations to all of the finalists! A special Chicagoland shout-out goes to … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #36: Design and construction industry gets tech savvy
Blog
Scarlett Letter #35: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part II of II
In Part I, we talked about how it's a good idea to share with your staff about how your firm secures its clients (by diagramming the network of people involved). Because the economy remains questionable, it's an exceptionally good time to revisit the contacts of your staff members, from all sources … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #35: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part II of II
Scarlett Letter #34: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part I of II
When networking---professionally or socially---everyone always seems interested in knowing specifically how people know one another. And when you get asked the question, "So, how do you know so-and-so?" at a gathering, it's possible that your response might be: from....university; childhood; work; … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #34: So how do you know one another? Diagramming your network. Part I of II
Scarlett Letter #33: Team building is still important! Try geocaching…
Summertime can mean different things for AEC firms: company picnics; summer hours; softball teams; group outings such as sailing trips, architectural tours, and ballgames; and special community projects. What do all of those things have in common? Team building and an overall esprit de corps. This … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #33: Team building is still important! Try geocaching…
Demystifying social media, Part 1
What makes sense for the AEC industry? Published in Modern Steel Construction. When it comes to technology, the architectural/engineering/construction industry often seems to trail behind. We tentatively (even skeptically) watch as other professionals in similar industries delve into social media, … [Read more...] about Demystifying social media, Part 1
Scarlett Letter #32: To trust or not to trust. And when to let it go…?
Nearly all of us have had the 'pleasure' (uh-hem) of negotiating a car purchase. Even though the experience has greatly improved since the cheesy olden days, it's still pretty trying. Two weeks ago, my beautiful 2001 beetle conked out, once and for all. It came as a shock; I thought I'd get a good … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #32: To trust or not to trust. And when to let it go…?
Scarlett Letter #31: Divine encounters when you keep your eyes open…
As I mentioned in Scarlett Letter #30 (Guerrilla Marketing), last week I was walking in my neighborhood looking for the muffin shop from the subtle 'Maxine's Muffintop' sign. Although I never found the free muffins or even the free smells (!), I instead encountered a new and unrelated discovery. A … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #31: Divine encounters when you keep your eyes open…
Scarlett Letter #30: Guerrilla marketing–what are the B2B opportunities?
Guerrilla marketing, initially coined by Jay Conrad Levinson has evolved into many subsets, including undercover marketing. Once upon a time, I knew an architectural firm with a hip intention--they were looking to change their image and appeal to a more urban client base--namely in the markets of … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #30: Guerrilla marketing–what are the B2B opportunities?
Scarlett Letter #29: Mini-mini vacation…how about a playcation?
Earlier this week, I attended a BNC networking function where fellow attendees spanned various service and product industries: architecture, engineering, construction; legal; advertising; executive recruiters; management consultants; financial advisors; technology sales; social media … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #29: Mini-mini vacation…how about a playcation?
Turning lemons Into lemonade, Part I
Mobilizing under-utilized staff to contribute to your firm's business development solution. Published in PSMJ Rainmaker and RainToday. Of course, in theory we know that ‘every person in the firm is a marketer.’ Savvy architecture and engineering firms go the extra mile to train their people at all … [Read more...] about Turning lemons Into lemonade, Part I