The Shortlist

RFP Roast

In the AEC industry, RFPs and RFQs are a fact of life—but that doesn’t mean we can’t vent about the quirks that make RFPs unnecessarily challenging. From overly detailed questions squeezed into tight page limits to unclear addenda, Monday due dates, and outdated submission requirements, Middle of Six principals Wendy Simmons and Melissa Richey swap tales of headscratchers and horror stories alongside designers Becky Ellison and Lauren Jane Peterson.  And in true roast fashion, the panelists also turn the spotlight on themselves, confessing their own “Wildcard" marketer tendencies that show up when proposal deadlines loom. The result is a candid, relatable roast for anyone who has ever opened an RFP and wondered … why? CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

The Short(er) List: Adobe Share for Review

In this episode, Becky and Melissa spotlight one of the most underrated gems in the proposal world: Adobe Share for Review—the live-PDF reviewing tool that keeps your team organized without derailing your sanity. Between enthusiastic SFR praise and some truly premium BlueBeam shade (sorry to all you BlueBeam lovers out there; but fear not, you will be represented on the pod soon), the duo walks through how this simple tool can turn a chaotic review process into organized bliss. Think tidy comment panels, @ mentions that actually work, and the sheer joy of resolving a markup with one satisfying click. They also share their best hot tips, workflow hacks, and wise advice for helping even the most hesitant reviewers embrace the magic of SFR. Tune in to see how SFR can make your reviews collaborative, efficient, and—most importantly—painless.

Business Development for Everyone

Business development (BD) can feel like a job reserved for firm leaders or dedicated rainmakers, but in reality, it touches everyone in the AEC industry. In this conversation, Wendy Simmons sits down with Middle of Six Senior Marketing Strategist, Katy Byers, to break down how BD intersects with everyone's role. Katy, a natural-born networker and connector, unpacks common barriers—lack of permission, time, or confidence—and shares practical ways to make BD more accessible and less intimidating. With the right mindset and tools like a CRM, marketers can stop reacting to RFP "opportunities" and start pre-positioning for the next win.  The big takeaway? BD isn't about selling. It's about consistency, curiosity, practice (because "practice makes progress"), and making space to develop genuine relationships with your firm's clients and project partners.  CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 3

The Short(er) List: Oops! All AI

For this hilarious episode of The Short(er) List, we let AI take the driver’s seat. We had it write the script, so we figured—why stop there? Here is the episode summary, pasted straight from the robot: Here you go — a fun, friendly, slightly irreverent two‑paragraph summary that captures the vibe of the episode and makes people want to listen: In this delightfully chaotic episode of The Short(er) List, host Becky Ellison, along with Producer/Guest, Kyle Davis, fully surrender to the robot overlords … at least for seven minutes.  We handed the mic (and the script) to AI and agreed to perform whatever it wrote for us—jokes, segues, propaganda‑level coffee endorsements and all. Along the way, we break down the pros and cons of AI in AEC marketing, riff on the weird accuracy of the script (how did it know Becky’s job title?), and loudly reaffirm that robots may be speedy, but they are NOT funny. Yet. Together, we explore the promise, pitfalls, and pure absurdity of AI‑generated content while trying very hard not to become AI slop ourselves. But it’s not all chaos and robot teasing—we actually cover some helpful stuff too. We dig into how AI can speed up repetitive marketing tasks, brainstorm ideas, and save coordinators’ sanity. We keep it real, we keep it human, and we may panic a little about how good AI is getting. If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is a friend, a frenemy, or just that coworker you politely nod at from across the room, this episode is your snack‑sized deep dive. Tune in, laugh with us, and decide for yourself whether the future of AI is brilliant, terrifying, or both.

Getting a Grip on Your Business (or Department) with Traction

What does it take to run a successful business? In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons and Melissa Richey unpack one of their most-referenced books: Traction by Gino Wickman. They explore how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) provides a practical framework for clarity, accountability, and growth, specifically for AEC leaders and small to mid-sized firms. In this episode, we dive into the six key components of the system—Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction—alongside essential tools like the VTO, Rocks, the Accountability Chart, and Level 10 Meetings. We also explore the specific marketing impact of this framework, discussing how EOS helps teams shift from reactive task management to proactive, quarterly priorities. Whether you fully adopt the system or just borrow a few tools, this conversation offers tangible ways to align your team and gain real momentum. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 6