It's 5 years ago this week that COVID hit.

Let's take a page from the grocery store runbook when it comes to transformation and mindsets. 

A/E/C leaders talk plenty about pivoting and being adaptable.

This 2-minute video above will hit home for you.⬆️⬆️

Take a look.

And help is available here.

A/E/C stakeholders pay attention and hire firms when business development teams show their critical thinking skills. 

If your emerging leaders want essential communication strategies to grow trust, confidence, and business, take a look at this training I did for the SMPS-Palmetto chapter.  

Watch the presentation here.

🧨🧨And plan to take lots of notes!🧨🧨

Reach out if your organization wants today's tools that build confidence and help win bids. 

A/E/C NewsFlash: 

Architects, engineers, and construction pros are in business.

🎓No matter your degree or major, you must know the bigger picture of your role.

You've got to understand the marketing, revenue, and operations of day-to-day business.

➡️How do YOU contribute to goals like sustainable growth, winning pursuits, succession planning, and effective communication?

College degrees and certifications don't give us a "pass" on learning. 😮

It's not a one-and-done. 

Can you say continuous improvement? 😎

Don't be the Radio Shack or Kodak of your firm.

🎆Take initiative, think creatively (unrelated to designs, infrastructure, or building materials), and show up in a bigger, bolder way.

People who strategically connect the dots win trust and lead the industry. 

*️⃣Take the initiative with one of our communication, sales, and mindset development training programs.

Click here for training info or drop me a note.

Who cares?

That's the question you must ask yourself when preparing RFPs and A/E/C presentations.

The only way to develop trust and get buy-in from decision-makers is to be relevant.

To them!🏆🏆

I share my tried and true method in the 90-second clip above. ⬆️⬆️⬆️

🧨🧨📈📈If you like this clip and want the skillset that brings buy-in and winning pursuits, check out our new online training, Top Tier Communicator. In just 3 days, you or the team you manage will have today's communication and confidence for an outstanding 2025! We start Nov. 12th! 

If you''ve been in a shortlisted interview and don't have the answer to a question, don't beat yourself up. 

Watch the 1-minute video above and quit the negative self-talk so you can truly shine!

The pioneer of daytime TV talk shows, Phil Donahue, passed away yesterday. 

His syndicated show ended in 1996, after 26 years on-the-air. 🏆

There are many skills AEC business development marketers can learn from this legendary communicator. 

Donahue knew how to listen for the minutiae that others miss.

Attention to detail is crucial in our industry as you communicate an understanding of client needs and provide custom solutions.

Is there room to improve your teams' interview prep and presentations?

How do we develop a natural curiosity and understand people?

✅Learn how to ask quality questions and be more engaging.

How can we allow others to share their opinions while subtly driving conversations?

You've got to think on your feet and know how and when to pivot. 🔥

Another lesson from Donahue is how to invite differing opinions in a polite and welcoming way.

You foster open communication and encourage diverse perspectives.

Being open-minded and open-hearted are invaluable tra...

You have a fear of speaking up at presentations or meetings? 

Maybe you’re afraid you stink at networking.

Or maybe you’ve been scaring yourself with imposter syndrome because you don’t have all the answers for clients. 

Read the words on the man’s shirt that I saw this morning. 

Facts Over Fear. 

🎯Fact: All humans are born with 2 innate fears. 

1- The fear of falling.
2- The fear of loud noises. 

Somewhere along life’s journey, you’ve convinced yourself you stink at public speaking, networking, and pursuits. 👀

Blah, blah, blah.

I was there years ago, and I’m not anymore. 😂

Today, I know it’s all learned behavior that you can unlearn to be more successful. 

That’s a fact. 

Is it time to stop scaring yourself and staying stuck? 

🙌Facts Over Fear. 

Reach out if you are ready to stop the negative self talk and step into your potential. 

You decide. 💯

The phone call was from a 215-Philly area code.

Assuming it was my cousin, Marc, I picked up the phone. 📳

To my surprise, the caller was a woman who knew my first name. 

She asked to speak with the director of technology for my firm.🙃

As an entrepreneur for 24 years, my firm has an agile team of freelancers and part-timers. 

Interestingly, the technology department is my husband. 

He's an IT project manager working in the next room in our home. 🏠

The key takeaway from this encounter is the importance of thorough research before shortlisted interviews and networking events.

🎯Look online for insights about people you'll be interacting with so you know their values, projects, and interests. 🎯

You'll gain valuable information and have more meaningful and memorable conversations. 

This level of preparation not only establishes trust and respect. It also fosters genuine connections with decision-makers. 

🎆Know your audience ahead of time. 

This is how competitive A/E/C firms win ...

Reading slides in shortlisted interviews doesn't engage prospects.

🔥Top-tier communicators in A/E/C know how to read the room.

Reading the room means you notice peoples' facial expressions, body language, and energy.

Do people in your presentations look distracted, impatient, or confused?

😮You must notice what people aren't saying.😮

Then, you can subtly re-engage and bring prospects back to your message without missing a beat.🎯

Successful business development teams think on their feet in a split second. 

They know how to course correct.

There is no overwhelm or anxiety.

🏆This technique is pivotal to winning pursuits and competitive projects.🏆

You can learn to read the room (click the link so you can learn this skill) and form deeper connections with practice.

The slides are secondary.

Life lessons come in so many different forms.  

Regardless of our expertise or education, seemingly ordinary experiences can bring powerful transformation. 

And they make for fabulous stories.

Can you spare 6 minutes to hear the heartwarming communication lesson I learned from a guy named Lamar? ⌚

It all unfolded in a podcast interview called Resilience in Action with host Erin Brown. 

Click the video above to hear the story, or click here.

🎆And if you want to improve your business storytelling, hit me up. 🎆