In this episode Thomas and I clarify the differences between marketing and branding and talk about ways that AEC firms can use their brand and a brand strategy to differentiate themselves. We draw on best practices from B2C and B2B to brainstorm what a blue ocean strategy could look like for an AEC firm and what success looks like for a strong AEC brand. About Tom: Tom is a professor of practice,…
On this episode, Matt Singletary and I reflect on lessons from the field on leadership, team dynamics, and common misconceptions that apply surprisingly well to AEC. We talk about football, Matt's own journey to leadership, and the crossover between the NFL and AEC. About Matt: Matt Singletary is a keynote speaker, former professional athlete, and the founder of BECOME/ER — a leadership and…
On this very special episode, I get to interview my dad, Bill Cox about his career as a Land Surveyor. He's got some great stories about favorite projects and work he's done throughout his 40-year career. As a bonus, he also gives us a quick run-down of wine-making. If you want to learn more about Bill Cox and his work, you'll just have to re-listen to this episode because he's retired and…
AI-generated content is flooding the internet, making it harder for audiences to distinguish real from fake (deepfakes, AI-written articles, synthetic video/audio). People were already becoming skeptical of what they read on Google, websites, and social media, and now AI-content has driven consumer trust in online content to historic lows. For marketers, this means driving online leads and…
Blair Huddy has been in B2B marketing and PR for over 15 years, and in this episode we chat about why press releases are having a quiet comeback thanks to AI, how LinkedIn actually works (it's closer to TikTok than you'd think), and what it takes to build an audience that genuinely wants to hear from you. Blair also shares how she approaches contrarian takes without burning professional bridges,…
Frank Lazaro joins the show to share his practical, ROI-driven approach to AI adoption. With 20+ years of leadership experience, Frank breaks down why marketers need to stop obsessing over creation and start thinking like their leaders — in hours, heads, and billable rates. He walks us through the "Finding 12 Minutes" concept, the evolution of how organizations are thinking about AI, and why the…
In this episode, I chat with Patrick Black, the social media manager behind Baker's Construction Services in Bluff City, Tennessee. Patrick takes us through his journey from working in construction and sales to becoming the guy who grew Baker’s Facebook following from 600 to a jaw-dropping 72,000 and got their content in front of over 80 million people. We dig (pun intended) into Patrick’s…
In this special crossover episode with Ayo Abbas from the Built Environment Marketing Show, we’re diving into the fascinating differences between AEC marketing in the US and UK. From the clichés that hold firms back to the bold moves marketers should embrace, this episode is packed with laughs and actionable advice. Plus, we play a few fun games to decode the quirks of the AEC industry and share…
This is the first of a mini-series Courtney Miller and I are doing to keep things a little more light and fun this Holiday season where we apply lessons from the show to AEC marketing. Enjoy!
In this episode, I share key takeaways from a recent leadership course, including career anchors and personality assessments, and how they can shape your approach to work and leadership. Plus, I’m kicking off a fun mini series with my friend Courtney Miller, where we’ll chat about the marketing reality show On Brand and explore how its lessons apply to the AEC industry.
In this episode, we dive deep into the power of generative AI with Brad Thompson, Business Solutions Director at SDB Contracting Services. With over 20 years of experience bridging marketing, IT, and app development, Brad shares his passion for efficiency, innovation, and problem-solving. We explore: The difference between prompt engineering and context engineering and how to master both.…
Did you know 95% of people will look up your company online before making a decision? In this episode, we explore the world of construction marketing with Perryn Olson, a fractional CMO who’s helping AEC companies maximize ROI and stay competitive in the digital age. From the surprising findings of the 2025 Construction SEO Report to the game-changing role of AI in search, this conversation is a…
Whether you're a Swiftie or not, Taylor Swift's influence on global spending and the marketing strategies behind her success are impossible to ignore. In this episode, Deirdre Booth and I explore how AEC firms can draw inspiration from Taylor Swift's innovative marketing tactics to create their own opportunities for growth.
Are you ready to upgrade your marketing efforts in professional services with a podcast? Maybe you're on the fence? In either case, John Tyreman, founder of Red Cedar Marketing and co-host of the Breaking BizDev podcast, has got you covered! In this episode, John shares strategies for using podcasts to build trust, expand networks, and create endless marketing content. From his early days…
Having a hard time finding and keeping top marketing talent in the AEC industry? You’re definitely not alone. In fact, it’s one of the biggest headaches firms are dealing with right now. In this episode, we’re tackling that challenge head-on and sharing one game-changing approach: creating clear paths for upward mobility within your firm. We’ll chat about smart ways to find talent where they…
From pre-tradeshow planning to post-event debriefs, Tracy Jenkins shares her proven process and go-to checklist for success. Tune in as we explore best practices, actionable tips, and a step-by-step approach to make your next tradeshow a winning experience! About Tracy Jenkins, MBA, CPSM: Tracy is a dedicated business development professional providing strategic marketing services for the 3QC…
In this episode, Mindy and I discuss how a healthy culture affects a company's bottom line and the impact cultural strategy can have on your firm and community. She provides historical context for current cultural challenges and examples of the best ways we can move forward. About Mindy Gulati: Mindy is a seasoned strategist and advisor whose career spans law, leadership, and organizational…
This is a recording of the closing conversations at SERC where the creator of the AEC Marketing Memes instagram page and I sit down to talk about the page, how content is created, and their philosophy behind the page. AEC Marketing Memes: https://www.instagram.com/aecmarketingmemes/?hl=en Video of Surreal Cereal Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDJ7eG9ZYRE
Myself and the fantastic mind behind the AEC Marketing Memes page, "Mimi", talk about the sessions we went to at SERC and some of our key take-aways. We also touched on the conference as a whole and the details that stuck out the most to us as attendees.
In this episode as part of the SERC conference series, Shane and I talked about management strategies to help your team's operations and maximize efficiency which included systems to eliminate tedious and time-intensive tasks like reformatting resumes and project sheets. About Shane: Shane Kane Director | Turner & Townsend Over the course of his marketing career, including work at an independent…
In this episode, Lillian and I talk about the importance of looking outside the AEC space to get inspired, prevent burnout, and effectively communicate your firm's brand and strategy. About Lillian: Lillian Parker External Communications Manager | Little Diversified Architectural Consulting Lillian is a curious and enthusiastic communications strategist, relationship builder, and storyteller.…
In this episode, industry veteran Bill Long, PE, LEED AP, and SMPS Fellow, shares his extensive insights on the strategic role of business development (BD) and marketing in AEC. He discusses how technical professionals and marketers can effectively collaborate throughout the client acquisition process, emphasizing the importance of connecting, meeting, and following up with clients to build…
In this podcast episode, we dive into Whole-Brain® Thinking and Gracewriting, exploring how these tools can transform communication and proposal writing by tailoring messages to different thinking styles. Through engaging insights and real-world examples, we discuss key questions about leveraging these methods to improve marketing strategies, lead teams, and achieve impactful results. Carol…
In this episode, we explore the intricacies of social media strategy, including tools, recommendations, and tips for creating and maintaining your online presence. We also discuss how to refine your social media and online content to meet the needs of your firm. Duncan Robertson, CPSM Director of BD and Marketing | Tamarack Grove Engineering Duncan is a BD and marketing professional who has…
Ever felt like proposals take over your life? In this episode, we talk about Briana's SERC session on owning your pursuit schedule, balancing work and personal life, and learning how to stay in control even when everything feels chaotic. About Briana: Briana Carter, CPSM | Associate and Marketing Strategist | Page Briana is a seasoned Marketing Manager at Page. She has been in the industry since…
In this episode, Sarah explains the importance of creating a clear, actionable vision for success - whether that be organizational growth or adapting to disruption or change. She emphasizes starting with reflection—examining what has changed, what remains constant, and identifying non-negotiables to guide decision-making. Sarah discusses how a shared vision, rooted in a company’s current reality,…
In this episode, Tim Asimos and I talk all about client experience (CX) and its importance for standing out in the AEC industry. We look at the connection between CX and brand, discussing how marketing professionals are uniquely positioned to serve as brand ambassadors and take ownership of the overall brand experience. About Tim Asimos, CPSM Head of Growth @ Client Savvy Tim Asimos is a catalyst…
In this episode, I give a little peep into what I've been up to the last few months and what I've got in store for everyone this New Year! Links: Project Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXXX4IC86vPGvTt7Z7DeLeblyFRcTw_uHmJA2K92AJM0L2Sw/viewform?usp=header General Survey:…
This episode goes into why your company should feature employees and leverage thought leadership as an important component of both marketing and culture. One common piece of pushback that we are looking to answer/mitigate is - if we feature our employees, they'll just get recruited away! Listen in to hear how we address that and other pushback we often hear. About Ida Cheinman, Substance151…
In this episode Aimee Colton and I talk about the Utah Department of Transportation's instragram page and the strategy behind it's incredibly funny and sometimes serious posts. From getting buy in to tracking key metrics, this is an episode you don't want to miss! About Aimee: As the social media manager for UDOT, Aimee has grown their social media accounts by tens of thousands of followers. Most…
In this episode I'm joined by Ryan Sullivan to talk about the essential financial literacy needed for success in the AEC industry. We explore how businesses allocate their funds and listeners will learn about key financial terms such as revenue, expenses, and profit, and we’ll discuss crucial project-level considerations like overhead, utilization, and billable rates. We also explore how this…
In this episode, I'm joined by Katherine Robinette to discuss the challenges of initiating change within organizations, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining goals before embarking on any project. We talk about the process to follow for change management and common scenarios where individuals may feel hesitant to start due to uncertainty or anticipated resistance. We stress the…
In this episode, Chemene Phillips explains the differences between branding and marketing, especially for smaller vs. larger firms. We highlight the importance of budget allocation in making these strategies work. Plus, we share how new companies can effectively build their brand and why consistent branding is key to tackling challenges like talent turnover and keeping customer loyalty strong.…
In this episode, Bryce Batts outlines what the labor market looks like right now and the best ways to attract and retain talent. This includes how marketing can improve the processes in place to align new employees with company culture and attract top talent using marketing best practices. Bryce has been a recruiter in the AEC industry for 15+ years and is a certified Career Coach and Speaker. She…
In this episode, I'm joined by Marci Thompson as we dive into the essence of leadership. Marci offers a unique perspective on her own approach to leading and provides valuable advice on what leaders should do more and less of to shine. Join us for a great conversation of what it truly means to be a great leader and bring your own brilliance. Marci D. Thompson, DES| Interim Chief Executive Officer/…
In today's podcast, Richard Tregaskes from Atkins Realis shares his journey with dyslexia and its impact on his innovative problem-solving skills. He talks about initiating a neurodiversity employee resource group in the Americas, inspired by his university diagnosis, which helped improve his academic performance. Our conversation highlights the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace,…
This episode dives into constructing and evaluating effective pursuit processes, and defining what sets them apart from traditional proposal process. Krystn shares her philosophy of prioritizing clients over projects, highlighting the strategic, client-focused approach that distinguishes a pursuit process. She details the fundamental steps crucial for any company's prosperity, underscoring the…
In this episode Dr. Tullio Rossi explains how he uses animated videos to convey complex information in a simple and approachable way. While Tullio primarily works with scientists, the principles of communicating complex projects are what the A/E/C and scientific communities share. Dr. Tullio Rossi is an award-winning science communicator, marine biologist and graphic designer. As founder of the…
In this episode we dig into the transformative impact of AI in the AEC industry. Discover how AI is reshaping the AEC landscape and paving the way for firms to gain a competitive edge. This conversation is balanced between AI expert Mehdi Nourbakhsh, Ph.D. and CEO Andy McCune as we explore the benefits of integrating AI software, strategies for staying ahead of the curve, and crucial…
This episode is part two of my book report on Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss. In this episode I go over mastering "no" and getting to "That's Right".
I'm trying something new this year and doing book reports on professional development books I really like. In this episode I'm going through Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and applying the tactics he discusses to AEC Marketing! In this episode I cover the two building blocks for building relationships and improving communication - mirroring and labeling. Link to book:…
Have you ever wondered how to make your website really stand out? Well, in today's episode, Ben and I dive into working with a copywriter when designing a website and the role good copy plays in a successful user experience. Now, Ben has some serious wisdom to share. He's a firm believer in getting the copywriter involved right from the start. Why? Because thoughtful copy can guide the entire…
In this, the 100th episode of AEC Marketeer, we are taking it back to the basics with a little AEC Marketing 101. Send it to your friends, loved ones, people who might want to get started in this industry, your next door neighbor even! About Julie: Julie Shaffer, FSMPS, CPSM, is passionate about helping AEC marketers maximize software tools to expedite content layout without sacrificing good…