The Shortlist

Award season can sneak up fast, but with the right planning, your next submittal doesn’t have to be a scramble. In this episode of The Shortlist, host Wendy Simmons chats with Julie Flattery and Lauren Jane Peterson, two experienced AEC marketers who have led dozens of award submissions from inside architecture firms. They break down what makes a submission truly compelling, starting with early planning and thoughtful project selection. From evaluating ROI to capturing project data before it disappears, the best submittals start long before the deadline. Julie and Lauren Jane also share practical advice on quantifying impact, crafting standout narratives, and aligning content with what jurors care most about, including innovation, sustainability, and community value. Whether you’re chasing an AIA award or crafting a marketing win, this episode is your roadmap for award submittal success—without the last-minute chaos. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2

Expanding into a new geographic market can be an exciting growth opportunity—but it’s not without risk. In this episode of The Shortlist, host Wendy Simmons is joined by principal Melissa Richey and associate principal (and first-time guest!) Julie Flattery to talk about what it really takes to open a new office or grow your firm’s presence in a new region. Together, they explore common drivers of expansion—like client demand, economic diversification, or key staff relocations—and share real-world stories from their time working in-house at AEC firms. The conversation includes practical tips on conducting research, aligning internal teams, building awareness, and setting realistic timelines. Whether you're helping lead the charge or supporting the strategy, this episode offers insights to guide your next move—and a reminder that marketing should be part of the conversation from day one. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2

With selection committees tasked with reviewing eight, nine, or even a dozen proposals at a time, it takes more than polished boilerplate for an AEC firm to stand out. Sometimes the winning move is a bold, experimental, and 100% client-focused approach that not only shows off your qualifications but also your team's enthusiasm and understanding of the project.  In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons sits down with Melissa Richey and Becky Ellison to explore what it really means to "push the boundaries" in AEC pursuits. Armed with more stories than we could fit into one episode, these proposal pros share standout examples of teams that went all-in with bespoke themes, creative leave-behinds, and connection-building interview tactics. And because time, budget, and resources are always a factor, the conversation also dives into when to go fully "HAM" and how to weigh risk versus reward. For marketers and business developers who might be hesitant to try something different, the Middle of Six team offers practical tips and a reminder that a little boldness and ingenuity can go a long way.  CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

With over 1 billion users worldwide and 67 million company profiles listed, LinkedIn remains an important platform for marketing, recruiting, and brand building. In Episode 70 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Middle of Sixers Melissa Richey and Grace Takehara to discuss strategies for using LinkedIn on both individual and company levels—from keeping up with industry happenings, and sharing thought leadership, to selection committee research, and team recruiting. They also dive into lesser-used LinkedIn tools, like creating a QR code for quick connections, using the name pronunciation feature, featuring posts for visibility, and personalizing your URL. Whether you're newer to LinkedIn or looking to maximize social media ROI, this episode is full of practical tips to help you maximize your presence on the platform. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5

Storytelling isn’t just for novelists—it’s the secret weapon for AEC marketers too! On this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons teams up with the creative minds of Becky Ellison and Kyle Davis to talk about crafting stories that grab attention and build real connections. They explore what makes a strong story—clear exposition, conflict, and resolution—and how those fundamentals help proposals and social media content truly stand out.  Becky shares her philosophy on creative brainstorming, why it’s important to protect “no bad ideas” and how to edit content with a Marie Kondo mindset: only keep what sparks joy. Becky and Kyle also discuss when and how to integrate graphics and images to enrich your story and engage audiences more authentically. No matter if you’re refining a proposal or crafting a social post, this conversation offers practical tips to make your firm and its people stand out through better, more effective storytelling. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5