Join the SMPS Austin Chapter on April 10th to hear information on imminent and future City of Austin project opportunities. Shane Harbinson with the City of Austin Aviation Department will discuss plans for the pending release of an RFQ for a $40M infill project at the Austin-Bergstrom Airport. Susan Daniels, AIA with the City of Austin Capitol Planning Office will also discuss the ongoing Bond Development Process in anticipation of the November election. Susan will be highlighting potential projects under consideration for inclusion in the bond, as well as providing an update on upcoming capital projects pending from previous COA bond programs.
Presenters:
City of Austin Aviation Department
Shane Harbinson, Assistant Director, Airport Development and Environmental Programs
City of Austin Capital Planning Office
Susan Daniels, AIA, Capital Program Consultant
Seating is limited, so register early.
THE DISCOUNTED PRICE ENDS AFTER WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH!!
When: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: University of Texas Club - President's Room
2108 E. Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712
Attire: Business Attire
Event Registration Fee:
Member: $35.00 for a limited time ($45.00 original price)
Non-Member: $45.00 for a limited time ($55.00 original price)
RSVP Monday, April 09, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
SMPS Lunch & Learn: No, You Haven’t Been Sold a Pig in a Poke – Social Media DOES Matter, Even to You!
A great many firms in the A/E/C industry use social media as part of their marketing and public relations effort. Some of these firms have actually developed a social media plan to guide their activities; others are just out there, “feeling” their way along; still others are waiting for some kind of metrics to tie social media activity to new projects or opportunities.
One of the big questions for an A/E/C firm contemplating the use of social media is whether or not they will realize measurable benefits from the time spent crafting, posting, reading and responding to these messages, or if they need to be there just because “every else is.” Helping to make the case that social media can yield measurable benefits for A/E/C firms is the fact that Escobar Construction is one of the winners of this year’s Austin American-Statesman Texas Social Media Awards.
If you haven't quite figured out how to get your arms around social communications, or whether it is really worth your time, let's get down to the brass tacks of what social media can and cannot do for your business. There are discussions, communities and referrals going on in the architecture, engineering, construction and similar B2B professions, but no one can be everywhere, all the time.
This program will address the potential benefits of using social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) that might be realized specifically by A/E/C industry firms, and how such benefits might be achieved. You will walk out of the session knowing which fork in the road to take!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Sheila Scarborough is a writer and speaker on social media. Although she specializes in tourism and travel, she has spoken on a social media panel for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s annual conference. Sheila is a co-founder of Tourism Currents - online training in social media for destination marketing. She's on the National Board of Directors for the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) and will be the next Chair of Freelance Austin. A Navy veteran and a certified Navy Master Training Specialist, she's also an NHRA drag racing fan because there's one winner, one loser and no whining.
When: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: DPR Construction
9606 North MoPac (Loop 1), Suite 300, Austin, TX 78759
Attire: Business
Event Registration Fee:
Member: $20.00
Non-Member: $35.00
RSVP Monday, March 26, 2012
One of the big questions for an A/E/C firm contemplating the use of social media is whether or not they will realize measurable benefits from the time spent crafting, posting, reading and responding to these messages, or if they need to be there just because “every else is.” Helping to make the case that social media can yield measurable benefits for A/E/C firms is the fact that Escobar Construction is one of the winners of this year’s Austin American-Statesman Texas Social Media Awards.
If you haven't quite figured out how to get your arms around social communications, or whether it is really worth your time, let's get down to the brass tacks of what social media can and cannot do for your business. There are discussions, communities and referrals going on in the architecture, engineering, construction and similar B2B professions, but no one can be everywhere, all the time.
This program will address the potential benefits of using social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) that might be realized specifically by A/E/C industry firms, and how such benefits might be achieved. You will walk out of the session knowing which fork in the road to take!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Sheila Scarborough is a writer and speaker on social media. Although she specializes in tourism and travel, she has spoken on a social media panel for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s annual conference. Sheila is a co-founder of Tourism Currents - online training in social media for destination marketing. She's on the National Board of Directors for the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) and will be the next Chair of Freelance Austin. A Navy veteran and a certified Navy Master Training Specialist, she's also an NHRA drag racing fan because there's one winner, one loser and no whining.
When: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: DPR Construction
9606 North MoPac (Loop 1), Suite 300, Austin, TX 78759
Attire: Business
Event Registration Fee:
Member: $20.00
Non-Member: $35.00
RSVP Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Book Review: Proposal Development Secrets - Work Smarter, Win More, and Get Home on Time, by Matt Handal
"Proposal Development Secrets" is a very easy read – the writing style is conversational, almost as if Matt was sitting in your kitchen with you. The language is clear – the examples are relevant and easy to follow – the tips will be fresh to new marketers and great reminders to experienced marketers.
As Matt tells us in his “How To Use This Book” section, this is NOT a “how-to” book. It doesn’t rehash or tweak any of the various proposal processes in use (or being taught) throughout the A/E/C industry. Indeed, proposal processes have a lot to do with what works specifically for your firm and its leaders.
One look at the table of contents assures the reader that this book is not designed to take him or her through the typical steps of developing a proposal, but is designed to explain the logistics, particularly the “long-lead” items like forms; deals with the issue of who creates what content and how; and helps answer the (often annoying) questions that non-marketers ask about why things are done the way they’re done, or what the client is really asking for between the lines.
The book address major proposal development activities – planning the effort (and implementing the plan), creating content, choosing what experience to include, editing other writers’ contributions, delivery and logistical hurdles – and provides great tips on how to meet the challenges inherent in each stage of the process. For example, under “Choosing the Right Past Experience,” Matt provides a “formula” for determining the relevance of your individual projects to the current pursuit. He also provides suggestions on some electronic aids that will help you use your preparation time to better effect.
Matt is not trying to teach anyone how to write a great proposal. However, in any place where the new marketer might typically stumble, this book is there with a steadying hand. Matt offers insights on how to recognize small glitches before they become real problems, so you can avoid or get around them, and how to get through such problems if you find yourself in the middle of one.
For anyone building a career in professional services marketing, the purchase of "Proposal Development Secrets" and the time you'll spend reading it will be two of the best investments you'll ever make. And when you finish that first read, the book will become a valued reference, one to which you'll refer often.
__________
Bernie Siben, CPSM, is Principal Consultant at The Siben Consult, LLC in Austin, TX, and a frequent writer for SMPS and other A/E/C industry publications. Contact: bernie@sibenconsult.com or at 559.901.9596.
As Matt tells us in his “How To Use This Book” section, this is NOT a “how-to” book. It doesn’t rehash or tweak any of the various proposal processes in use (or being taught) throughout the A/E/C industry. Indeed, proposal processes have a lot to do with what works specifically for your firm and its leaders.
One look at the table of contents assures the reader that this book is not designed to take him or her through the typical steps of developing a proposal, but is designed to explain the logistics, particularly the “long-lead” items like forms; deals with the issue of who creates what content and how; and helps answer the (often annoying) questions that non-marketers ask about why things are done the way they’re done, or what the client is really asking for between the lines.
The book address major proposal development activities – planning the effort (and implementing the plan), creating content, choosing what experience to include, editing other writers’ contributions, delivery and logistical hurdles – and provides great tips on how to meet the challenges inherent in each stage of the process. For example, under “Choosing the Right Past Experience,” Matt provides a “formula” for determining the relevance of your individual projects to the current pursuit. He also provides suggestions on some electronic aids that will help you use your preparation time to better effect.
Matt is not trying to teach anyone how to write a great proposal. However, in any place where the new marketer might typically stumble, this book is there with a steadying hand. Matt offers insights on how to recognize small glitches before they become real problems, so you can avoid or get around them, and how to get through such problems if you find yourself in the middle of one.
For anyone building a career in professional services marketing, the purchase of "Proposal Development Secrets" and the time you'll spend reading it will be two of the best investments you'll ever make. And when you finish that first read, the book will become a valued reference, one to which you'll refer often.
__________
Bernie Siben, CPSM, is Principal Consultant at The Siben Consult, LLC in Austin, TX, and a frequent writer for SMPS and other A/E/C industry publications. Contact: bernie@sibenconsult.com or at 559.901.9596.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
New Member Spotlight: Bernie Siben
The Siben Consult, LLC
Where do you work and what’s your position? Brief Description of company.
I am the Principal Consultant at The Siben Consult, LLC, a strategic and marketing consulting firm that helps A/E/C/Environmental firms imagine, articulate and achieve their own goals regarding their staff, their clients, their brand and image, and their overall business. A large part of my work is the development of general and targeted SOQs, proposals and short-list presentations, as well as writing for a number of SMPS and other industry publications, and making presentations on marketing-related topics throughout the United States.
Where is your hometown? Where did you go to school?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I started college in Akron, Ohio and then came back home, where I attended Brooklyn College. I came to UT Austin in 1973 and ultimately completed my BA at Thomas Edison State College (NJ) two weeks before my 50th birthday.
What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
I have had a successful performance career (cabaret singer and actor) for more than 30 years, so I spend time working on new songs, and new arrangements of material I’ve been doing for a long time. I also spend time looking for oddball songs that nobody else is singing. In addition to that, I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy to take my mind off the technical writing I do in the daytime. I’m also an avid walker. I love to walk through neighborhoods with interesting and/or great architecture and unusual shops.
How long have you been a member of SMPS?
If my aging memory is working this morning, I first joined SMPS in 1991 and was a member for one year. I rejoined in 1995 and have been a member since then.
What do you see as the benefits of your experience with the SMPS?
SMPS has given me great opportunities for learning, for business networking and making friends. Many friends across the country are people I met at National Conferences (I’ve attended at least eight of them). I’ve also had the opportunity to write for SMPS publications and speak to SMPS audiences across the country.
March Luncheon: WALK.DRIVE.PEDAL.RIDE: Transportation Developments Planned for Central Texas
Congestion has increased substantially over the last 30 years according to an Urban Mobility Study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute. Austin was ranked 28th in the nation for traffic delays in 2011, and anyone who travels MoPac or I-35 knows that Central Texas is in desperate need of additional transportation systems to alleviate traffic congestion.
The SMPS Austin Chapter has brought together a panel of transportation leaders who will discuss what’s being done to plan, fund, and deliver current and future transportation system projects in Central Texas, and how this will affect other developments.
Our dynamic speakers include:
When: Thursday, March 22, 2012, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: University of Texas Club - President's Room
2108 E. Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, TX 78712
Attire: Business
Event Registration Fees:
Member: $35.00 for a limited time ($45.00 original price)
Non-Member: $45.00 for a limited time ($55.00 original price)
RSVP Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The SMPS Austin Chapter has brought together a panel of transportation leaders who will discuss what’s being done to plan, fund, and deliver current and future transportation system projects in Central Texas, and how this will affect other developments.
Our dynamic speakers include:
- TxDOT – Carlos Lopez, Austin District Engineer
- City of Austin – Gordon Derr, Assistant Director of City of Austin Transportation Department
- Lone Star Rail District- Joseph Black, Rail Director / Operations Manager
- Moderator – Jeff Barton, AICP, Former Hays County Commissioner
When: Thursday, March 22, 2012, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: University of Texas Club - President's Room
2108 E. Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, TX 78712
Attire: Business
Event Registration Fees:
Member: $35.00 for a limited time ($45.00 original price)
Non-Member: $45.00 for a limited time ($55.00 original price)
RSVP Wednesday, March 21, 2012
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