SMPS Atlanta 2011-2012 Calendar

The 2011-2012 SMPS Atlanta Calendar has been posted! Click to view the calendar on a larger scale and/or print. These calendars will be available online and at every SMPS Atlanta event and program.

We have some great events and programs planned for this year including our always popular Boot Camp Series and a new program titled Group Therapy which will be regularly held to address lessons learned and to  provide open discussion for professional advice. The group will work together to offer suggestions, solutions and follow-up.

Notice anything different? We have a new look! You'll start to see some more changes with our marketing material, flyers, events, social media, and website. We are excited to have a fresh new face to our growing chapter!

Why Social Media is Useful to A/E/C Firms

isThese days, just about everyone has jumped onto the social-media bandwagon. Whether through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or some other medium, millions of people and businesses are constantly connecting and interacting with one another. In fact, social media have become one of the top methods used to collect news, information, or learn about new products and technologies today. But given the significant popularity of these networks and the fact they are virtually all free, why haven’t more businesses in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction gotten involved in social media?

Perhaps those in the A/E/C industry find it counterintuitive to interact with the general population, given that their firms are tailored to such small niche markets? Also, by socializing with the public online, many believe they may run the risk of letting competitors in on too much information or creating a liability for projects and the company as a whole. Granted, these possibilities could very well be true; but an A/E/C firm’s participation in social media is no different than the firm’s participation in trade shows, industry organizations, or networking events: There’s always the possibility that someone could “say the wrong thing.” And much as anyone involved in the business development or marketing side of A/E/C knows, through training, guidelines, and experience, you will eventually learn what to say, how to say it, and what to avoid. Social media work the exact same way.

In the past, the A/E/C industry was very every-business-for-itself, keeping other firms and competitors in the dark about projects and clients. Now, with the recent economic decline, many firms are reaching out to one another to team up, bolster business, and do their best to weather hard times. More than ever, it is imperative that A/E/C firms constantly network and “get to know their neighbors.” Social media are excellent tools not only for learning about other firms, but also for introducing yourself to and building relationships with potential clients. You would be surprised how many federal organizations, municipalities, and developers are on only a click away on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Read the more about Social Media and it's impact on AEC firms in the upcoming August Edition of the SMPS Atlanta Inspiration Newsletter. To get on our email distribution list for this newsletter and other SMPS Atlanta chapter news, please click HERE.

Sarah Zibanejadrad has worked as a marketing coordinator for Oasis Consulting Services, an engineering firm specializing in landfills, geotechnical, and environmental services. Currently, she is a social-media consultant for Rumor Interactive Media, a company focused on developing business Web presences.

How Social Media Helps Me Think Like a Client

For the record (in this era of full disclosure), I have participated actively in social media communications for the past three years. I post regularly in both the professional and personal worlds. And allow me to state clearly: Never the twain shall meet.

But in reviewing my postings and reading others’ posts, tweets, updates, musings, and diatribes, I have noticed that my eye is invariably drawn to content that hits my sweet spot: ideas, statistics/data, news, reports, happenings, and revelations that attract me either because of my continuing long-term interests or because of a timely, short-term event.

This makes me wonder, “How do clients read my copy?” Or maybe, “DO clients read my copy?”

If I had to summarize my idea or my firm’s compelling response to an RFP in 140 characters* or less, what would I say? What unique response would make my client say, “I want to read more”?

I am certain that 140 characters would not be enough for a client to make a decision, but people engage and read more based on something that catches their interests or hits their sweet spots. So I have to ask, “What is my client’s sweet spot? What will catch his or her interest above all of the other chatter [proposal responses] out there?“

A good part of what will turn heads is really knowing your client (another blog entirely…). And essential to turning their heads is crafting a well-rounded, lean, and distinctive statement about what you bring to the table at that particular point in time, something that will entice them to read more and stay with them in the retelling of your idea to others.

This “sweet spot” exercise helps me to get down to the minutiae of how to say what I need to say. I need to cut out the unnecessary adjectives and overused “industryspeak” and really give an honest response with a solid hunk of creative input. Clients rely on ideas and creativity, so why not craft your response with a character limit of wisdom, making sure you are stating something new, something workable, and something to make them want to read more.

So as I tweet and post, I give my statement the client once-over, asking “Who cares?” And after proofing again for accuracy, I think for a second about my clients and what they want. Where are their sweet spots? Have I boiled my clever idea down to its most critical component? And then I hit send, tweet, share, post, or print.

And in the back of my mind, I wonder to myself, “Will they ‘Like,’ re-tweet, comment, or reply?” If I phrased it correctly and succinctly, I think they will. And I’m hoping they “Like” it again and again and again.

-Bob Mullen,
Senior Marketing Communications Manager, Jacobs

Don't forget to follow SMPS Atlanta on Twitter @SMPSAtlanta or join the discussion on our LinkedIn Group SMPS: Atlanta.

*The maximum number of characters allowed in a Twitter "tweet"

Do You Speak Architect?

All professions have their own jargon, their own shorthand. When speaking with your peers, it’s often easier and quicker to use those verbal shortcuts to convey your message. But too many of us forget that we’re not in-house when we speak to the rest of the world.

Marketers, particularly, need to remember to speak English, not Architect, when we communicate with the rest of the world. The same goes for engineers, contractors, and anyone else in a profession with its own quick-speak.

Here’s a link to an excellent article from Slate, written by Witold Rybczynski, titled “A Discourse on Emerging Tectonic Visualization and the Effects of Materiality on Praxis Or an essay on the ridiculous way architects talk.” 

Thank goodness none of us work with anyone that talks like this…or do we?

SMPS Atlanta Sponsoship Opportunities

As we enter into a new SMPS Year, 2010-2011, it’s time for our annual Sponsorship Campaign for 2011. Our Sponsorship team has worked hard to revamp our sponsorship packages to include exceptional values for vendor and industry firms alike. We’re excited to roll out these new packages and hope you will consider supporting SMPS Atlanta in 2011!

This year our Chapter Partner and Platinum Sponsor levels are only open to non-competing firms, which adds a tremendous value to your firm’s participation! Also, not only will your firm benefit from brand recognition through SMPS Atlanta communications, but various levels of sponsorship also include benefits such as:

• One free year of SMPS membership or renewal
• Additional members from firm register at the Member Rate for all events
• Free job postings on our chapter website
• Time with program speakers prior to the start of event
  
  

In addition, we are offering a 15% discount to all SMPS Atlanta annual sponsors from the past five years! Click HERE to see the available sponsorship packages. Each sponsorship level’s benefits are explained with an approximate value for key items that are included. We hope you’ll agree there is tremendous value to the sponsorships for the coming year.

The package also includes lower priced sponsorship options for various events, luncheons and our exceptional Boot Camp Series, which has been a tremendous success.

Please contact Ashley Dale, SMPS Atlanta Treasurer, should you have any questions about the sponsorship packages or send your sponsorship forms in to SMPS Atlanta today!

Ashley Dale,

Parrish Construction
770.880.0521 cell
678.566.3770 office
sponsorship@smpsatl.org