Welcome to The Shortlist! We are exploring all things AEC marketing and answering listener questions to provide best practices and fresh ideas for marketing strategies to help your firm win the shortlist. New episodes drop each Wednesday. Listen as the team from Middle of Six shares their thoughts on proposals, interviews, websites, social media, marketing planning, business development, and countless other tactics that architecture, engineering, and construction firms rely on to grow their ...
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Leading Design-Build Pursuits
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The Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method has been growing in popularity since it was introduced in the 90s. With more public agencies opting for "best value" over "low bid" for certain types of projects, PDB has become a go-to tool for state agencies, hospitals, K-12, and higher education procurement. The selection process, which often in…
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Design Strategies for A3 Proposals
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We can thank Toyota for many innovations including honing LEAN process and establishing the "A3" approach to problem-solving. A3's structured way of presenting information concisely now shows up across all industries -- including AEC. Over the last two decades, the A3 proposal format has grown in popularity and quickly became a hot design challenge…
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Marketing Trends that Establish Authenticity
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Building a brand that authentically reflects the values, expertise, and people in your firm is job #1 for a professional services marketer. Episode 58 of The Shortlist welcomes back Marketing Strategist, Grace Takehara, and Digital Marketing Strategist, Kyle Davis, to discuss some of the trends they're seeing and how (or how not) they provide oppor…
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Making of "The Wildcards"
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Most AEC marketers' plates are filled with essential initiatives; developing responses to RFPs and RFQs or creating promotional content for websites, social media, and databases. While those projects are critical to keeping business humming, every once in a while we get the chance to work on a big, collaborative, creative project. It's those rare m…
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Brand and Client Perception Surveys
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"How did we do?" It's a question that often remains unasked but holds vital importance. Without periodic touchpoints to gather candid performance feedback, strong relationships and potential repeat work can slip through our fingers. But how do we solicit honest feedback without things getting awkward? How do we select the right questions and delive…
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Focusing on Team Strengths
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From astrology to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), personality theories offer introspection and insights to deepen our understanding of others. We all recognize that marketing is a collaborative effort, encompassing strategic planning to interview coaching. The beauty of being part of a team lies in having a diverse array of perspectives, ex…
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What Marketers Want Leadership to Know
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Marketing departments have the best chance of success when they receive clear communication from company leadership. Whether that's insights (or input!) into the firm's strategic plan, having a voice throughout the pursuit process, or being respected as subject matter experts in marketing, AEC organizations can accomplish more by making simple adju…
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Efficiencies in Proposal Development
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We've all been there; wishing we had an extra 48 hours to hone a proposal's case studies, graphics, and messaging from "great" to "exceptional." But there are ways to tighten up your existing proposal process to give your team as much time as possible to craft impactful content. That often means beginning before the RFP hits the streets, knowing wh…
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Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking
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No matter your position or professional experience, almost all of us struggle with some level of fear and anxiety around public speaking. And from internal meetings, to shortlist interviews, to conference presentations, the AEC industry is full of opportunities (and demands!) to address a group or lead a discussion. How can you break through the ne…
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Client Care, Gifts, and Swag: Hot or Not
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It's never too early to start scheming your next client care gift. In Episode 51, Middle of Six marketing and creative strategists, Grace Takehara and Lauren Jane Peterson, share their best practices for executing a thoughtful client care gift campaign, common hurdles, and tips for choosing a gift that resonates. Through insightful anecdotes and in…
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What Marketing and BD Need from Each Other
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In the AEC industry, Marketing and Business Development activities are tightly linked. Since marketing plans implement the business and sales goals of the company, a successful execution of strategy demands that marketing and "BD" are in alignment and constantly communicating. In Episode 50 of The Shortlist, Middle of Six Principals Wendy Simmons, …
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We've talked about social media before, but since it's an ever-evolving communication tool we're revisiting the topic with a focus on the nitty gritty of managing your firm's social presence. To start, what do you look for in assessing your firm's current approach and what are current best practices for honing your future strategy? Understanding wh…
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The subject of time comes up in virtually every AEC marketing conversation: Time until the deadline, time needed for internal meetings, finding time for special initiatives and non-proposal marketing priorities, and so on. The effect of not having 'enough' time is a significant contributor to the stress and burn-out many AEC marketers may experienc…
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How to Get the Most Out of a Conference
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Conference participation is an excellent way to immerse yourself in an industry, gain exposure for your firm, and build relationships with clients and colleagues. Engaging in conferences is also a significant investment of time and resources; having a thoughtful plan to maximize your return on investment is key. Whether you are new to navigating co…
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Night of the Living Deadline
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Amy, an overworked marketing coordinator for Outlaw Construction, has a major design-build proposal due by 5:00 pm. And, as every AEC marketer knows, when it comes down to an important deadline—anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Can Amy and her hastily assembled, ragtag crew of colleagues get the proposal submitted on time? Find out on Nigh…
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Building (and Supporting) a Marketing Team
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It's often said that managing people is the most challenging aspect of running a business. While there is some truth to that, the statement implies that "the people" are the issue—when in reality, it's often rushed processes, being unintentional or unspecific about roles and responsibilities, and failing to provide clear feedback or effective coach…
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How to Plan an Effective Marketing Retreat
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Marketing teams—heck, all teams—benefit from having dedicated time to reconnect, recharge, and recommit. AEC professionals often feel like they are waist deep in procurement work, so a well-timed and well planned retreat can provide the space needed to refocus and think critically about the myriad other tasks on their plates. Clearly, we're big pro…
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How to Change-Proof Your Marketing Department
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If you're feeling some unease in this post-pandemic, up-and-down economy—you're not alone. Lessons from the Great Recession have taught us AEC marketers that in times of uncertainty, our departments come under intense scrutiny. Developing flexible and adaptable processes and perspectives will help you 'change proof' your internal marketing resource…
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Addressing Burnout and Mental Health
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While it’s difficult to highlight many positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did provide an opportunity for open conversations around community and personal health. As it became necessary to provide flexibility to balance work and home commitments, we were also able to shed light on long-standing workplace challenges in our industry. For m…
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Essential Components of Brand Guidelines
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Let's dive into brand guidelines! While they are considered the foundational elements of any company's marketing toolkit, the specific components can vary greatly between firms. In episode 41 of The Shortlist, Becky Ellison and Lauren Jane Peterson, Senior Creative Strategists at Middle of Six, break down the essentials of brand guidelines. They ev…
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If you are a marketer in the AEC industry, you have undoubtedly supported a few proposal responses—if not dozens and dozens—throughout your career. And with that inevitably comes a personal list of RFP pet peeves, ranging from incorrect or missing information to excessively onerous, perplexing requirements. In episode 40 of The Shortlist, Middle of…
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Developing In-House Photography Skills
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In the AEC industry, professional photography is one of the most valuable representations of your team's culture, technical expertise, and years of hard work delivering successful projects. As a rule, it is often recommended to budget for photos annually, not only for finished buildings but also for "in action" shots that highlight your team and co…
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The Power of Visuals in Digital Marketing
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When it comes to first impressions of your brand, your digital marketing platforms are critical—including websites, social media channels, and overall digital marketing collateral. In today's digital world, these are arguably more influential than a company's physical location. Low-quality, grainy, blurry, or dated visuals will probably reflect poo…
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Top 10 Award Submittal Tips
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We all love a win, and recognition! Awards from professional associations are a fantastic way to celebrate your team's efforts and garner publicity for your firm. But it's no small effort to assemble an award submittal that checks all the boxes and resonates with jurists. Judging panels sometimes include professionals from outside the industry—for …
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How to Stay Creative in a Criteria-Driven World
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In Episode 36 of The Shortlist, Pursuit Strategist Grace Takehara joins Wendy to discuss how to infuse creativity into the proposal process. Grace shares suggestions to help rethink the typical approach to proposal responses by crafting an environment that is focused on the reader, experimenting with different storytelling mediums, teasing out whic…
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The Making of Middle of Six
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Have you ever considered working as a freelance marketer? Or been curious what it takes to launch and run a small business? Since every entrepreneur has their own unique origin story, we thought it would be fun to share some insights into the making of Middle of Six. Listen in as Senior Creative Strategist Becky Ellison takes over as host to interv…
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What Every First-Time AEC Marketer Should Know
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Whether you're a seasoned AEC marketer or just recently joined the industry, Senior Creative Strategist Becky Ellison and host Wendy Simmons are here to answer the question, 'If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself in the first year of your career?' Becky and Wendy share specific recommendations for marketers who are still learni…
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Competitor Audits, Part 2
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Once you've determined which competitors to research, now the treasure hunt begins! In Part 2 of our discussion with Allison Tivnon, we outline how to efficiently assess the competition's online presence and what to look for related to brand personality, storytelling, and online engagement. With a clear understanding of your competition's online pr…
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Competitor Audits, Part 1
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As a general rule, we don't recommend obsessing over the competition. It's much more productive to focus on what your firm does well. But on occasion—say at the start of a new year or as part of a larger strategic planning effort—it can be worthwhile to turn your attention to a handful of companies you most frequently compete against. What is their…
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What Every Marketer Wants a New PM to Know
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Project managers (PMs) have many demands on their time, making the development of project-specific content for a pursuit challenging. As an AEC marketer, if you can get a new PM up-to-speed on marketing systems and the proposal process—and in turn, understand their role and workload—it will make for a smoother workflow and hopefully a winning pursu…
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Behind The Shortlist: Producing and Launching an AEC Podcast
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We've flipped the script on this extended episode as Principal Marketing Strategist, Melissa Richey English interviews our host, Wendy Simmons, and producer, Kyle Davis. Ever wonder what it takes to dream up, research, plan, record, produce, and launch a podcast? Well, we sure did! With the support of excellent resources, awesome talent, and a whol…
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Recharge, Inspire, and Take Care
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Whether you're designing your first (or 50th) org chart, revamping a schedule graphic, or finding a 'fresh' way to showcase your team, coming up with creative, compelling design requires a spark of inspiration that can be tough to find when you're on deadline and under pressure. Listen in as our dynamic design duo, Becky Ellison and Abigail Clark, …
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Conducting a Brand Audit
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As the primary communicators of a firm's brand identity, marketing teams often take a lead role in brand management and maintenance. On occasion, it's a good practice to step away from the day-to-day and take a look at the big picture. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Rachel West explore the components of a successful brand audit. From competitor…
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Business Development 101
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Trying to cultivate a BD ecosystem within your firm but have staff who believe 'business development' is not in their job description? From seller-doers, project managers and support staff to your BD/Marketing teams, everyone plays a critical role in supporting client care and the brand experience. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Melissa English…
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Creating Your Brand Identity
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Every company has a brand identity that sits somewhere on the spectrum between bold and diluted. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Rachel West untangle and define the five major components of brand identity including brand values, brand message/promise, brand personality, brand voice, and visual brand identity. No matter if you're working with a h…
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Math People vs Art People
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Disclaimer: This episode contains blatant stereotypes and generalizations of both "math people" and "art people." You know, math people are the technical staff in an AEC firm who love Excel pivot tables and work through mathematical story problems just for fun. On the flip side, you can find art people sketching out a logo, swiping through Instagra…
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Proposal cover letters are tricky. Sometimes they aren't scored, but more often than not, they impart a critical first impression. So why are they frequently approached as an obligatory, blasé introduction when the selection panel is looking to be inspired, entertained, and informed? In this episode, Allison Tivnon shares five key elements of effec…
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10 Graphic Design and Workflow Tips
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If proposals are at the heart of your day-to-day work life, you are likely in InDesign a LOT. But the tough truth is that many proposal coordinators don't enter the profession with formal training in layout and design. Many of us learn on the job and (let's face it) kind of make things up as we go! Have a nagging suspicion that you're spinning your…
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Interview Red Flag Warnings: Early Signs You Might Be Headed For a Loss
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Do you have staff attending an interview who've never laid eyes on the proposal? Does a key member mysteriously disappear when it comes time to rehearse? Got a 70-slide PowerPoint for a 20-minute presentation? If you're nodding your head at any (or al) of these, start waving those red flags! Join Allison Tivnon and Wendy Simmons as they commiserate…
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10 Tips for Business Writing
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Business writing typically falls into one of four buckets: informational, instructional, transactional, and (every marketer's favorite) persuasive. And unlike in storytelling, where descriptive words help paint a vivid picture, the goal of effective business writing is to communicate clearly and concisely to ensure that your message is delivered. J…
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Love them or loathe them, the virtual interview format is here to stay. While we advocate for the in-person interview above all others, we are thrilled to bid farewell to the dreaded phone interview, and see genuine value in the current virtual hybrid that allows team members and project partners alike to contribute and engage with the interview pa…
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Characters in Every Interview
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In every shortlist interview, there are several essential characters that need to be present. Each team member—whether they serve as the Opener, Closer, Director, Time and Money Guru, Segue Artist, or Teaming and Diversity Expert—plays an important role in bringing home the win. Once you've decided who will be wearing which hats, how do you curb di…
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Interview Prep Checklist
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Your team has been shortlisted! Now what? Who should attend? What topics should you cover? How do you deal with team PTO? And what about prep for the all-important Q&A?? It's a lot to wrap your head around and your project team benefits when Marketing takes the reigns and drafts a plan of action. In this episode, Principal Pursuit Strategist Meliss…
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Building (and Implementing!) an Annual Marketing Calendar, Part 3: Creating the Calendar
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You've assessed your resources with the Check-up Checklist, you've anticipated your busy months by mapping your Proposal Peaks, now it’s time for the best part: Creating the Calendar! In Part 3 of our 2022 kick-off series, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon dive into the organization and execution of your annual marketing calendar. Spoiler alert! Eve…
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Building (and Implementing!) an Annual Marketing Calendar, Part 2: Proposal Peaks
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How do you make time for internal marketing projects when it feels like your schedule is ruled by proposal deadlines? In Part 2 of our three-part series, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon discuss how analyzing your Proposal Peaks can help get your marketing calendar ready for reality. With the proper tools and data, it becomes possible to visualize …
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Building (and Implementing!) an Annual Marketing Calendar, Part 1: Check-up Checklist
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We're kicking off 2022 with a series of three podcasts, each to help you organize your marketing efforts for the new year! In Part 1, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon discuss a key first step: the Check-up Checklist. Use this process to assess the current state of your marketing department. Where are you succeeding? Where can you improve? The check…
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AEC Marketing Predictions for 2022
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As the year comes to a close, the team at Middle of Six is looking ahead to the trends, themes, and indicators that could shape AEC marketing in 2022. This special extended episode features a roundtable discussion between Wendy Simmons, Melissa English, and Allison Tivnon. We break down the challenges and opportunities of 2021, preview the year to …
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The Value of Storytelling
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Storytelling captures attention and inspires trust. Stories spark conversation at networking events, get firms shortlisted on proposals, and captivate during interviews. Many of these stories are hiding in plain sight, but how to you find them? And once you do, how do you tell them? In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Pursuit Strategist Rachel West …
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Having a dedicated marketing professional means your firm is thriving! But how you define and support this role is critical to finding (and keeping) a specialist who can successfully wear all the marketing hats. Drawing from firsthand experience as lone marketers, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon dish on the benefits, challenges, and unique opportu…
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We HEART Instagram because it's a visual platform that helps brands of every shape and size share their personality and passion. But where do you start if your firm is new to the network? And how about gathering that elusive Insta-worthy content from your technical staff? We answer those questions and more in this "All things Instagram" conversatio…
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