The Shortlist

The Short(er) List: The 10 Unoriginal Words and Phrases You Should Stop Overusing

On this episode of The Short(er) List, we're leveraging innovative and collaborative solutions to provide comprehensive expertise that's both strategic and sustainable. And we're passionate about it, too. If that introduction sounds both nonsensical and completely normal, then you're in the right place. Don't worry, we're also guilty. Becky Ellison and Kyle Davis are back to call all of us out, including themselves. From world-class delivery to holistic experience, they're unpacking the words that have been doing the heavy lifting in AEC marketing for so long that they've become tired and worn out. We dig into the phrases that have taken over proposals and websites, what we actually mean when we use them, and what to say instead. Because the selection committee just read 12 other submittals that said the exact same things. Here’s the deal: your people and your firm actually are unique—so let's start writing like it.

Mural: Sticky Notes but Better

Collaboration is at the heart of how the team at Middle of Six works—and being fully remote means finding tools that keep ideas flowing and groups aligned. In this episode of The Shortlist, MO6ers Kyle Davis and Lauren Jane Peterson share the ins and outs of using Mural, their favorite digital whiteboard platform. From internal brainstorming sessions and design charrettes to client workshops and presentations, Mural serves as a shared workspace where ideas can be captured, organized, and refined in real time. They also share how Mural's user interface makes it easy to onboard first-time users, encourage live note-taking, and import and export to PowerPoint. With this tool in your toolkit, you just might experience more efficient meetings, stronger alignment, and a shift from presenting ideas to actively building them alongside your team. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2

The Short(er) List: ASMR for AEC Marketers

Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax your shoulders. The RFP document is only five pages long. The Project Manager won't be on vacation during the interview. The entire team agrees on the deadline for content. There is no page limit. No one cares about margins. This is ASMR for AEC Marketers. In this episode of The Short(er) List, Becky and Katy are whispering reassuring sweet nothings into your headphones with a topic that's both absurd and (oddly?) therapeutic. Your hosts are talking smooth and soft. The music is calm and non-descript. Are you in a spa? Did you fall asleep at your desk? What does ASMR even stand for anyway?  None of that matters. Because we see you, AEC marketers, and we're leaning all the way in. So put in your earbuds, turn down the lights, and let the soothing sounds of stress-free marketing wash over you.

Failing Forward: Analyzing Losses to Grow from Them

Losing a pursuit is never fun but it can be one of the most valuable opportunities for growth. In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Melissa Richey and Katy Byers to talk about what it really means to “fail forward” and how to turn losses into smarter strategy. From running more effective debriefs and asking sharper questions to digging into scoring feedback and gut-checking your go/no-go decisions, the team shares practical ways to understand what happened and how to improve next time. And because losing streaks are part of the process, the conversation also leans into the human side: keeping team morale high, celebrating wins (big or small), and recognizing when a new approach or perspective might be exactly what your team needs. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

The Short(er) List: Asking Strategic RFP Questions

Most firms treat RFP questions as a formality—a quick clarification before the real work begins. But what if the questions you ask (and how you ask them) could actually give you the answers you want?  In this episode of The Short(er) List, Becky and Melissa are back with their eagle eyes fixed on the details, cutting through the noise on one of the most underutilized tools in the AEC pursuit process: the RFP clarification question. We dig into strategic phrasing and considerations, air a few grievances, and talk about how to use questions to uncover hidden value and efficiencies. Did you even read the RFP? After this episode, there will never be any doubt.