I
joined SMPS seven years ago after my managing director asked if I could help
with business development and marketing. Neither of us was sure how to define
my role and responsibilities, and with only a portion of my time carved out for
this undertaking, there was not much time to learn.
My
managing director was familiar with SMPS and together we joined the Austin Chapter. Back then, the Austin chapter board consisted
of 10 (if they were lucky) volunteers who did everything. They ran the chapter, communicating with
members and possible members, managing finances, pursuing new members,
soliciting sponsors, and even creating all the programs. As a newcomer to the chapter, I was quickly
hit up to help.
As
I became involved, I made many friends and my network grew. However, my SMPS network was not just a group
of friends but a valuable resource through which I made connections, learned
valuable marketplace information, and grew in my role as a business developer.
As
I grew in my role, the Austin Chapter also grew. Our membership has practically tripled. We have committees now that plan programs,
communicate with the chapter, grow our membership, and gather sponsors. We have members who have seen the immediate
benefit of growing their network and skills by working with others to make the
chapter a success. With their hard work,
the board is now able to steer the chapter and develop new initiatives to help
the chapter grow and bring greater benefits to our members.
One
of the new benefits that we are rolling out is a mentoring program. SMPS members who are fairly new to the
industry or their position will be matched with more experienced members in similar
jobs but different firm types. This is
an opportunity for experienced members to pass on sage advice, save other
members from the pitfalls they experienced, share war stories, and help
advocate the role of marketers and business developers. As we help strengthen and empower those less
experienced, not only will our networks grow stronger but so will the roles of
marketers and business developers in A/E/C firms.
I
wish such a program had existed seven years ago. But by joining the board early, I created
mentors of my own. These are the same people
who were running the chapter seven years ago.
They are the ones who somehow had the connections and time management
skills to do it all. I’d like to thank
Diane Shelton, Karen Ward, Amy Jones, Michael Brack, Deanna Bounds, and
Christine Freeman for being my mentors (even if they didn’t know it) and for
making the Austin chapter what it is today.
Paulette N. I.
Rudolph, PE, LEED AP, CPSM
Walter P Moore
SMPS Austin Chapter
President
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