Private residential and commercial development was hit hard in the recent economic downturn but the second half of 2011 has shown signs of growth with 2012 promising a better outlook. This month, we’ll sit down with master developer Shaun Cranston of Brookfield Residential Properties and President / CEO of the Greater San Marcos Partnership, Amy Madison to talk about the current atmosphere for private development, what cities are doing to court projects and stimulate growth, and what opportunities are on the horizon for Central Texas.
Speakers:
Shaun Cranston, PE
Vice President, Austin for Brookfield Residential Properties Inc.
Shaun Cranston is responsible for overall operations of Brookfield Residential Properties (formerly Carma) Texas market. Since joining Brookfield Residential in 1998, Shaun has been involved in a variety of roles within the Corporation, ultimately moving to Austin Texas in 2004 to start up operations in the Texas market.
Currently, Shaun provides oversight and direction for three Texas communities, responsible for all aspects of the land development process from initial acquisition, through the entitlement and construction processes, and ultimately leading to the marketing and final sales of assets.
Amy Madison
President / CEO, Greater San Marcos Partnership
Amy Case Madison is President & CEO of the Greater San Marcos Partnership, a public-private partnership focused on economic growth in Hays-Caldwell Counties. She also oversees Economic Development for the City of San Marcos as executive director for the Economic Development San Marcos Board, a 13- member city-appointed board charged with incentive review.
In the four years at San Marcos, Amy has raised $150,000 for an economic development strategy, assisted with a $90M HEB Distribution expansion creating 320 jobs, recruited Grifols, Inc., a $76M biomedical facility creating 190 jobs, and steered a $4M campaign to fund an economic development strategic plan that became the foundation for the current GSMP. Most recently, she was elected to the Texas Economic Development Council Board, the first representative from the Hays-Caldwell County area to serve in this capacity
When: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 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 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, November 07, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Resource Review: Prezi Presentations
Prezi presentations move away from the flat, linear slides of Powerpoint and allow you to design a package that is flexible, yet clean and professional. Prezi can be used directly from an internet browser without the need to install anything. This subscription option is free, but allows others to view your Prezi creations. A paid subscription option allows Prezi Desktop to be installed on your computer, so you can access it without an internet connection. This option also allows your custom Prezis to be private.
- Interview presentations
- Digital brochures
- Image libraries
- Personal portfolio
The Prezi website, http://www.prezi.com/, is your best source for getting started with the application, and features a plethora of information on Prezi’s features and options. As a new Prezi designer, visit the site and browse the thousands of already created Prezis that are at your fingertips.
Sketch
Storyboard by hand the concept that you want to present. Whether it be interview content, or a firm brochure on a specific type of project, organize your ideas on paper first. Since Prezi moves away from the linear nature of Powerpoint, be creative in how you want ideas to flow. Because of Prezi’s zooming feature, ideas can really build on one another and don’t have to spread across your workspace.
Images & Video
Prezi allows you to import images at a small file size (2880x2880) and video at a maximum of 50MB. Select what images and/or video you want to include before getting started. Place all of your Prezi-ready files in one folder for fast uploading.
Color
Prezi has fairly limited custom-color options for fonts and shapes. Decide what color family you want to incorporate before getting started and set up your selections as one of your first steps. Prezi has the option for further customization through Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Once you’ve finished your Prezi, you can present it in several ways:
- Present “live” with an internet connection
- Export to Prezi Desktop, which does not require an internet connection
- Download a portable Prezi – creates an exported/downloaded version of your prezi presentation, which works without internet access, without a prezi account, and without Prezi Desktop. You can use it to present where you don't have access to the internet, or send to an external audience. The link generated contains a non-editable version of your prezi, and player software for Windows and Mac.
- Download the Prezi app for iPad and take your Prezis on the go
Erin Bettison, CPSM, LEED GA
Sr. Marketing Coordinator
Austin Commercial
Susan Savkov
Marketing Manager
STG Design
Friday, October 14, 2011
Photos from the 2011 SMPS Kickoff Party
SMPS Lunch and Learn AND One-on-One SF330 Review Sessions
Lunch and Learn: Optimize Your Next SF330 Submittal
Learn how to view your SF330 submittal with a new perspective and differentiate your team from many competitors. Demonstrate your strength thru team organization and tailored resumes. Prove your experience with focused project descriptions. Understand how to tie it all together and close the deal in Section H. Nancy Usrey, Author of the Insider’s Guide to SF330 Preparation, will share tips from her review of many SF330 packages from teams large and small. Come prepared to ask questions!
One-on-One SF330 Review Sessions
As an added feature to this special Lunch and Learn, our expert speaker Nancy Usrey has agreed to offer a limited number of one-on-one thirty minute sessions to review and analyze your SF330, making recommendations for improvement and suggestions for winning more work! Five 30 minutes sessions are available for purchase at $50.
About the Speaker
Nancy Usrey (pronounced er’-sree) a recognized national expert on federal procurement and the marketing of A/E services, brings more than three decades of knowledge and experience to the topic, acquired through real-world experience both inside A/E/P firms and as a marketing consultant to the A/E design industry. She currently helps design-build and mega-project pursuit teams develop and implement successful positioning strategies and proposal plans. Nancy is the author of ZweigWhite's publication Insider's Guide to SF330 Preparation, and the precursor Insider's Guide to SF254/255 Preparation. Nancy is a Fellow of SMPS from the Dallas Chapter, and also writes, speaks, coaches, and consults on marketing and management issues faced by A/E/P and construction firms.
REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY OCTOBER 24th
When: Thursday, October 27, 2011 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: DPR Construction, Inc.
9606 North Mopac, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78759
Event Registration Fee
Member $20.00
Non-Member $35.00
RSVP Monday, October 24, 2011
Learn how to view your SF330 submittal with a new perspective and differentiate your team from many competitors. Demonstrate your strength thru team organization and tailored resumes. Prove your experience with focused project descriptions. Understand how to tie it all together and close the deal in Section H. Nancy Usrey, Author of the Insider’s Guide to SF330 Preparation, will share tips from her review of many SF330 packages from teams large and small. Come prepared to ask questions!
One-on-One SF330 Review Sessions
As an added feature to this special Lunch and Learn, our expert speaker Nancy Usrey has agreed to offer a limited number of one-on-one thirty minute sessions to review and analyze your SF330, making recommendations for improvement and suggestions for winning more work! Five 30 minutes sessions are available for purchase at $50.
About the Speaker
Nancy Usrey (pronounced er’-sree) a recognized national expert on federal procurement and the marketing of A/E services, brings more than three decades of knowledge and experience to the topic, acquired through real-world experience both inside A/E/P firms and as a marketing consultant to the A/E design industry. She currently helps design-build and mega-project pursuit teams develop and implement successful positioning strategies and proposal plans. Nancy is the author of ZweigWhite's publication Insider's Guide to SF330 Preparation, and the precursor Insider's Guide to SF254/255 Preparation. Nancy is a Fellow of SMPS from the Dallas Chapter, and also writes, speaks, coaches, and consults on marketing and management issues faced by A/E/P and construction firms.
REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY OCTOBER 24th
When: Thursday, October 27, 2011 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: DPR Construction, Inc.
9606 North Mopac, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78759
Event Registration Fee
Member $20.00
Non-Member $35.00
RSVP Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Blogging Basics
There
is a laundry list of issues that need to be addressed when it comes to
improving corporate blogs, but here we’ve narrowed down the key elements that
companies should focus on. Here are 10 tips for corporate bloggers hoping to
make a positive splash in their communities.
When
creating a product or service, you must be able to define the value that it’s
bringing to consumers. In the case of a blog, you need to clearly define the
focused theme that your team will follow. Choose a blog name and theme that
fits well with your company’s expertise, but don’t be afraid to branch out into
a larger space. Your blog should provide pertinent information for consumers
interested in your area of business.
Once
you’ve chosen an area to cover, create a set of editorial guidelines that your
bloggers will follow. Guidelines can include appropriate verticals and topics to
cover, as well as how and when posts should be written.
A clear goal and theme for your blog will make it easier
for users to know what to expect.
2. Choose a Blogging
Team and Process
Choose
a team of core bloggers to begin your blogging adventure. Select individuals
that are knowledgeable and comfortable writing about the areas you would like
to cover. Also, it’s key to choose people who write well and have a great
online presence.
Train
your bloggers on the editorial guidelines and decide what type of writing and
editing process you would like to put in place. Some companies prefer to elect
an editor or group of editors to have a final look at all blog posts, while
other companies allow their bloggers to publish directly. Figure out the level
of comfort you have with your blogging, editing and publishing process and
implement a procedure that works well for your team.
3. Humanize Your
Company
A
company blog is an opportune place to let down your hair and get to know your
customers. Think of it as a conversation between people, not between a brand
and one person. In order to have a conversation, you need two people — a
blogger and a reader.
Always
keep in mind that your blog is about people connecting and conversing with
people, not a corporation. Throw away that “corporate” concept, and you’ll be
ahead of most.
4. Avoid PR and
Marketing
If
maintained correctly, your blog will act as a repository of real analysis and
opinions provided by your company’s fine employees. The type of insight and
expertise that a blog can demonstrate is far more useful than any PR pitch that
you could post. Stay away from trying to sell your readers. There are
appropriate venues for that, and your blog shouldn’t be one of them.
Lululemon Athletica, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel
company, constantly adds value to its community through its blog by providing posts on
topics that their core followers would appreciate. Some of the most recent
posts were on how to do a handstand, protect the lower back, and explore
a new city.
Readers
will get a taste of the massive knowledge bank available at your company. Take
your mind off of marketing, and you’ll find that the analysis that you provide
sells your company better than a press release ever could.
5. Welcome Criticism
Oftentimes, corporations shy away from opening up their
websites and blogs for commenting and interaction, because they are afraid of
the harm that criticisms may cause. Make it a policy to welcome criticism,
thinking of it as an opportunity for feedback and improvement. There are lots
of ways
to deal with negative feedback, so don’t be afraid to open up to your
community.
6. Outline a Comment
Policy
Be
aware that if you open up your blog for full feedback (which you should), you
will get a variety of comments — constructive, complimentary, hateful, and
spam. Be prepared for everything. Create a comment policy that your team can
follow, and make sure everyone is on same page. Outline the types of comments
that should be responded to, deleted or passed along for follow-up.
7. Get Social
Make
sure your blog is open for comments and utilizes share tools, such as Facebook,
Twitter and Digg. Share tools allow your users to pass along your content. Why
not allow your readers to promote your work?
Put
forth an effort to respond to comments or forward them on when a specific
employee could offer the best expertise in that area. Make sure each employee
maintains a personable tone when responding to comments, so that readers know
that your bloggers are genuine.
Lastly,
if you haven’t done so already, implement a social media strategy for your
blog, creating the appropriate profiles across social networks that your
readers and customers are active on. Usually, Facebook and Twitter are a good
start, and YouTube is a must for video-sharing. When you post on your blog,
announce the new post on your social networks and ask for your readers’
opinions on the subject.
Promote your social presence on your blog, by implementing
links, buttons and widgets that link to your social profiles. This will enable
readers to stay connected with you across platforms. Whole Foods’ blog, Whole Story, for example,
displays its social links prominently at the top of the blog.
8. Promote Your Blog
Just as you would promote any other company initiative,
get the word out about your blog. Share the URL on your website, social
networks, business
cards,
e-mails, and advertisements.
Without
promotion, building an audience can be difficult. Get behind the quality work
that your team is putting into the blog and promote away.
9. Monitor Mentions
and Feedback
One way to get a pulse on your blog and its effects on the
community is to monitor mentions and feedback. Set up Google Alerts for your brand, blog
name and any keywords that might be relevant. Search on Technoratiand Twitter for those set terms.
To make things easier with Twitter, set up custom search
columns in a Twitter client, such as Hootsuite,
Tweetdeck or CoTweet.
The columns will update in real time, keeping you up-to-date on brand and blog
mentions at all times.
Getting more sophisticated, you should look into social
media brand management tools, such as Radian6, for monitoring
keywords across social sites.
10. Track Everything
You’re probably accustomed to tracking everything, and
your blog is no different. If your blog is a page on your website, make sure
your current web analytics tools are set to track all the same data that it
monitors on your website. If you don’t currently have a web analytics tool,
check out Google
Analytics,
a free analytics tool with an easy-to-use interface. At the
minimum, make sure you’re tracking site traffic, where referrals are coming from,
and traffic-wise which posts are doing best. Learn from the data and adjust
your blogging guidelines accordingly.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Top 5 Power Happy Hour Spots!
Like our Power Lunches, the Power Happy Hour is about finding a great spot to meet a client or potential client to have a couple of drinks, some eats and good networking conversation.
Hangar Lounge ****
Great Roof Deck Patio
308 Colorado Street, Austin, Texas 78701 • (512) 474-4264 http://www.thehangarlounge.com/
Hangar Lounge is the newest edition to the 4th Street Warehouse District and is has the best roof deck in downtown. The roof deck is three stories up, has great views and you can usually catch a good breeze. Being designed by Austin and 4th Street’s own Dick Clark Architecture, you know the aesthetic is amazingly designed and creates a great ambiance with the 1950s airport lounge feel.
Ambiance: Casual setting; best for happy hour with and established client
Happy Hour Pricing: $4 wines, $2.50 beers and $3.50 well drinks
Parking: Mildly Difficult; meter parking, paid lots and valet
Area of Austin: Downtown
NoRTH *****
Fantastic Indoor/Outdoor Patio Seating
11506 Century Oaks, Suite 124, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 339-4400 • www.foxrc.com/north/html
Taking its cue from an Italian trattoria, NoRTH offers a contemporary approach to Modern Italian Cuisine. North has an urban feel, with sleek interiors and calm, relaxed atmosphere. The drinks are carefully done and the wine list has something for every level of wine drinker. Their happy hour menu includes a tasty array of small plates and pizzas but won’t spoil your dinner.
Ambiance: Slightly upscale setting; good for new clients and established relationships
Happy Hour Pricing: Apps from $3 to $6; $2.50 bottle beer and $4 well drinks
Parking: Easy; lots of garage parking and surface lots
Area of Austin: North Austin
Red’s Porch ****
Great Sports Bar
3508 S. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 • (512) 440-7337 http://www.redsporch.com/
Red’s Porch is a self-proclaimed “sports bar and neighborhood dining establishment” which fits it perfectly. They have outside and indoor seating, darts to keep you entertained if your team is throwing away the game, and an impressive beer selection. Their menu also offers a variety of foods to suit everyone's tastes: Cajun, Tex-Mex, Southern and American cuisine choices. The bar was designed very well to keep people flowing and give you space for more serious after work happy hour discussions…granted, it depends on who is playing because at Red’s, you can watch everything from cricket to football.
Ambiance: Casual setting; good for sports enthusiast and established clients
Happy Hour Pricing: $2.00 Lone Star Pints, $3.25 RED’S Frozen Ritas, $6.00 House Texican Martinis, $3.00 Well Drinks, $2.00 Haams 16 oz cans, Texas Draft Specials - $1 Off select Texas Draft Beers
Parking: Fairly Easy; surface lot parking but will fill up during important sporting events
Area of Austin: South Austin
Moonshine *****
Great Outdoor Patio Seating; Unique Restaurant
303 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701(512) • 236-9599
http://www.moonshinegrill.com/
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill takes you back to a simpler time. Comfortable and familiar, relaxed and easygoing, Moonshine greets guests like family. Their menu is enticing so if happy hour might turn into dinner, this is the place to go. Happy Hour is early, from 3:30p to 6:30p but worth the time away from the office as it tends to be less crowded and there is plenty of room to present marketing brochures and materials.
Ambiance: Upscale setting; good for new clients and established relationships
Happy Hour Pricing: Half-priced apps; $4 select wines and cocktails
Parking: Easy during happy hour; street parking, valet and easy access to the COA public garage
Area of Austin: Downtown
Bar Congress ****1/2
Impressive Ambiance
200 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 827-2760 http://www.congressaustin.com/
Bar Congress, located in between Congress and Second Bar + Kitchen, is a sophisticated artisan cocktail lounge and premium wine bar featuring a vast array of superior spirits and exclusive wines available by the glass. Their bartender is considered an expert cocktail craftsman, which he is. You will be impressed with any drink you order but do venture beyond your normal vodka/soda; the drinks are what make this place. They have a fabulous appetizer menu with unique eats such as chicken fried olives and beef short rib croquettes. Although the area is small, I have never felt overwhelmed by a crowd. The setting is better for conversation so leave the marketing materials at the office.
Ambiance: Upscale and impressive setting; good for new clients and established relationships
Happy Hour Pricing: Normal pricing
Parking: Mildly Difficult; meter parking, paid lots and valet
Area of Austin: Downtown
Hangar Lounge ****
Great Roof Deck Patio
308 Colorado Street, Austin, Texas 78701 • (512) 474-4264 http://www.thehangarlounge.com/
Hangar Lounge is the newest edition to the 4th Street Warehouse District and is has the best roof deck in downtown. The roof deck is three stories up, has great views and you can usually catch a good breeze. Being designed by Austin and 4th Street’s own Dick Clark Architecture, you know the aesthetic is amazingly designed and creates a great ambiance with the 1950s airport lounge feel.
Ambiance: Casual setting; best for happy hour with and established client
Happy Hour Pricing: $4 wines, $2.50 beers and $3.50 well drinks
Parking: Mildly Difficult; meter parking, paid lots and valet
Area of Austin: Downtown
NoRTH *****
Fantastic Indoor/Outdoor Patio Seating
11506 Century Oaks, Suite 124, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 339-4400 • www.foxrc.com/north/html
Taking its cue from an Italian trattoria, NoRTH offers a contemporary approach to Modern Italian Cuisine. North has an urban feel, with sleek interiors and calm, relaxed atmosphere. The drinks are carefully done and the wine list has something for every level of wine drinker. Their happy hour menu includes a tasty array of small plates and pizzas but won’t spoil your dinner.
Ambiance: Slightly upscale setting; good for new clients and established relationships
Happy Hour Pricing: Apps from $3 to $6; $2.50 bottle beer and $4 well drinks
Parking: Easy; lots of garage parking and surface lots
Area of Austin: North Austin
Red’s Porch ****
Great Sports Bar
3508 S. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 • (512) 440-7337 http://www.redsporch.com/
Red’s Porch is a self-proclaimed “sports bar and neighborhood dining establishment” which fits it perfectly. They have outside and indoor seating, darts to keep you entertained if your team is throwing away the game, and an impressive beer selection. Their menu also offers a variety of foods to suit everyone's tastes: Cajun, Tex-Mex, Southern and American cuisine choices. The bar was designed very well to keep people flowing and give you space for more serious after work happy hour discussions…granted, it depends on who is playing because at Red’s, you can watch everything from cricket to football.
Ambiance: Casual setting; good for sports enthusiast and established clients
Happy Hour Pricing: $2.00 Lone Star Pints, $3.25 RED’S Frozen Ritas, $6.00 House Texican Martinis, $3.00 Well Drinks, $2.00 Haams 16 oz cans, Texas Draft Specials - $1 Off select Texas Draft Beers
Parking: Fairly Easy; surface lot parking but will fill up during important sporting events
Area of Austin: South Austin
Moonshine *****
Great Outdoor Patio Seating; Unique Restaurant
303 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701(512) • 236-9599
http://www.moonshinegrill.com/
Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill takes you back to a simpler time. Comfortable and familiar, relaxed and easygoing, Moonshine greets guests like family. Their menu is enticing so if happy hour might turn into dinner, this is the place to go. Happy Hour is early, from 3:30p to 6:30p but worth the time away from the office as it tends to be less crowded and there is plenty of room to present marketing brochures and materials.
Ambiance: Upscale setting; good for new clients and established relationships
Happy Hour Pricing: Half-priced apps; $4 select wines and cocktails
Parking: Easy during happy hour; street parking, valet and easy access to the COA public garage
Area of Austin: Downtown
Bar Congress ****1/2
Impressive Ambiance
200 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 827-2760 http://www.congressaustin.com/
Bar Congress, located in between Congress and Second Bar + Kitchen, is a sophisticated artisan cocktail lounge and premium wine bar featuring a vast array of superior spirits and exclusive wines available by the glass. Their bartender is considered an expert cocktail craftsman, which he is. You will be impressed with any drink you order but do venture beyond your normal vodka/soda; the drinks are what make this place. They have a fabulous appetizer menu with unique eats such as chicken fried olives and beef short rib croquettes. Although the area is small, I have never felt overwhelmed by a crowd. The setting is better for conversation so leave the marketing materials at the office.
Ambiance: Upscale and impressive setting; good for new clients and established relationships
Happy Hour Pricing: Normal pricing
Parking: Mildly Difficult; meter parking, paid lots and valet
Area of Austin: Downtown
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