Recently, I was the lucky beneficiary from a generous referral source. Her approach was admirable, and I’d like to share it. She sets a great example of how I hope to be in my own business dealings. Karen, a fellow AEC marketing consultant, decided to accept a full-time, in-house position at an … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #140: Story of an exemplary networker
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Scarlett Letter #139: Three tips to convert nervous anxiety into positive energy. Lessons learned from a dive!
I’m in the process of finalizing an article to answer a frequently-asked question (by both clients and students): "In business communications, how do I convert nervous anxiety into positive energy?" As I brainstormed an exhaustive list of tips and advice for that piece, I noted that controlled … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #139: Three tips to convert nervous anxiety into positive energy. Lessons learned from a dive!
Scarlett Letter #138: Is your AEC firm considered a ‘good client’?
Recently, one of my client's requested that I review the site of their web designer/host (let's call them WebDudes). I noticed that WebDudes' site featured links to the websites of their key clients---presumably the list was pared down to just the firms that they were most proud to work with, either … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #138: Is your AEC firm considered a ‘good client’?
Scarlett Letter #137: One of the top five ways to get technical staff involved in business development
Lackluster. Push-back. Naysayer. Pessimist. Half-hearted. These were some of the descriptors that a group of marketing and business development professionals used when describing their AEC technical staff's contributions towards business development at a recent networking event. So we dug in and … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #137: One of the top five ways to get technical staff involved in business development
Scarlett Letter #136: Maintaining positive group dynamics in AEC
The old Righteous Brothers song 'You've lost that lovin' feelin', whoa, that lovin' feelin' pops into my mind this morning. Why? Well, yesterday I lost a student whom I had been excited (and grateful!) to have in my classroom. {He had no choice but to replace my course with one that would satisfy a … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #136: Maintaining positive group dynamics in AEC
Scarlett Letter #135: Avoid the self-destructive “I know more than my boss knows” attitude
Do you ever get frustrated when you realize that your ideas are being squelched by your boss, against your better judgment? Do you sometimes feel as though you could perform far better than your boss if you were to step into his/her shoes? Do you have only a small modicum of respect--at best--for … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #135: Avoid the self-destructive “I know more than my boss knows” attitude
Scarlett Letter #134: Reverse Mentoring for Design and Construction Industry
I don't teach during the summer. As a result, I lose my direct feed of 'what's-what' on a variety of topics for three months. I'm grateful to my Columbia College students that I'm able to keep {somewhat} current during the balance of the year. So when school starts this September, there they'll be … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #134: Reverse Mentoring for Design and Construction Industry
Scarlett Letter # 133: Know your “audience” in all contexts, not just during formal presentations.
Why do people forget that our ‘audience’ (in it’s loosest definition) surrounds us all the time? I know people that are considered accomplished public speakers in all ‘presentation’ contexts---in other words, when they have the ‘floor’. However, when it comes to one-on-one (or, even one-on-many, … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter # 133: Know your “audience” in all contexts, not just during formal presentations.
Scarlett Letter #132: The art of writing is often in RE-writing
The art of writing is often in RE-writing. Please do not confuse this statement by replacing re-writing with re-inventing the wheel. In business, time is of the essence. Those of us within AEC business development, marketing, or other administrative functions recognize that our technical … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #132: The art of writing is often in RE-writing
Scarlett Letter #131: Advice for facilitators/trainers to ensure full audience satisfaction
Design and construction professionals are highly particular when it comes to signing up for conferences, training seminars, even webinars. Our time is short, and our wallets are not full enough. So we carefully scrutinize the agenda and the content prior to signing away hours of time and tens of … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #131: Advice for facilitators/trainers to ensure full audience satisfaction