The Shortlist

The Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method has been growing in popularity since it was introduced in the 90s. With more public agencies opting for "best value" over "low bid" for certain types of projects, PDB has become a go-to tool for state agencies, hospitals, K-12, and higher education procurement. The selection process, which often includes qualifications, proprietary or informational meeting(s), technical proposal, interview, and fee proposal (but notably, often no design) can extend several months and cost tens of thousands of dollars of staff time to complete. With so much time, money, and other resources on the line, how do you bring top-level strategy and renewed enthusiasm to each procurement stage and score the most points going into the fee proposal? In Episode 60, Middle of Six Principals Melissa Richey and Wendy Simmons discuss the origins of PDB, how to secure teaming partners, cultivating team dynamics, and developing compelling content for a series of written and in-person presentations that demonstrate why your team is the best choice. CPSM CEU Credits: .5 | Domain: 4

We can thank Toyota for many innovations including honing LEAN process and establishing the "A3" approach to problem-solving. A3's structured way of presenting information concisely now shows up across all industries -- including AEC. Over the last two decades, the A3 proposal format has grown in popularity and quickly became a hot design challenge for marketing and pursuit teams. How do you fit a 20-, 50-, or 80-page proposal on just one or two sides of an 11x17 sheet of paper? The answer: you don't. Instead, you have to be ultra-strategic, selective, and creative to communicate your differentiators effectively. In Episode 59 of The Shortlist, Middle of Six Senior Creative Strategists join Wendy Simmons as they share their tips and tricks for getting the most out of the A3 format. From tackling the eternal question of, "Which comes first, graphics or narrative?" to maximizing every square inch while preserving white space, Becky Ellison and Lauren Jane Peterson discuss their approach to working within the parameters of the A3 proposal format. CPSM CEU Credits: .5 | Domain: 4

Building a brand that authentically reflects the values, expertise, and people in your firm is job #1 for a professional services marketer. Episode 58 of The Shortlist welcomes back Marketing Strategist, Grace Takehara, and Digital Marketing Strategist, Kyle Davis, to discuss some of the trends they're seeing and how (or how not) they provide opportunities to provide insights into your firm and better connect with your audience. From blogs and long-format videos, to employee ambassadors and values-centric content, Grace and Kyle share their recommendations for leveraging current marketing trends to bring your firm's brand to life.  CPSM CEU Credits: 1.0 | Domain: 6

Most AEC marketers' plates are filled with essential initiatives; developing responses to RFPs and RFQs or creating promotional content for websites, social media, and databases. While those projects are critical to keeping business humming, every once in a while we get the chance to work on a big, collaborative, creative project. It's those rare moments when we get to flex our marketing muscles in new and different ways, and hopefully, produce something with the energy to fuel us through the next year of project pursuits. In 2023, the team at Middle of Six unveiled The Wildcards; a creative campaign aimed at shedding a little light (and some humor) on some of the behaviors that add complexity to pursuit teams. More than a year in the making, and involving everyone on the Middle of Six team, The Wildcards have been enjoyed from coast to coast and hopefully helped a few marketers along the way. Listen in on Episode 57 as Allison Tivnon, Becky Ellison, Grace Takehara, and Wendy Simmons walk through each step of the process, starting with the smallest seed of an idea and ending with a nationally recognized campaign. CPSM CEU Credits: 1.0 | Domain: 6

"How did we do?" It's a question that often remains unasked but holds vital importance. Without periodic touchpoints to gather candid performance feedback, strong relationships and potential repeat work can slip through our fingers. But how do we solicit honest feedback without things getting awkward? How do we select the right questions and deliver them appropriately? And once we have the feedback, how do we distill it into solid findings and actionable recommendations?  Launching a client perception survey might seem intimidating and daunting, but the payoff can profoundly impact our firm's financial and cultural health. Join Middle of Six Principals, Wendy, Melissa, and Allison, as they explore why perception surveys matter and how to extract the most value from this indispensable activity. CPSM CEU Credits: 1.0 | Domain: 1