tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:15:23 +0000New, unabated marketing thoughts and ideas for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry focusing on the delicate balance of creative and analytical business tactics.http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)Blogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-8560807526574497102Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:48:00 +00002009-11-12T22:15:23.895-05:00kroger crmgreat marketingkrogerkroger marketingToday I received a book of coupons in the mail from Kroger. Great, I get books of coupons everyday from all sorts of companies. Once I open up the actual "coupon," it's nothing more than 25 cents off something I may or may not care to purchase.However, I noticed an interesting thing. No, not the coupons or book packaging/design. It was actually pretty simple and bland. It was the fact that http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/8GNqVQc68lg/kroger-crmkroger-crm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/11/kroger-crmkroger-crm.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-3018113529978789335Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:26:00 +00002009-11-09T21:21:59.060-05:00ROIreturn on investmentsmps virginiaCheck out the upcoming SMPS Virginia program on measuring marketing return-on-investment! $25 for members, $35 for non-members. Should be a great program and we hope to see you there! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/XxS0DSG2JZU/smps-virginia-hosts-roi-measuring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/11/smps-virginia-hosts-roi-measuring.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-8437470955087668697Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:19:00 +00002009-11-03T11:22:12.729-05:00yankee stadiumBIMjohn pooleconstructonomicsWe're in the heart of the world series--heading back to the Big Apple, here is a very nice article from fellow blogger John Poole @ Constructonomics!http://constructonomics.blogspot.com/2009/11/yankee-stadium-product-of-bim.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/lMg_sJLr_tU/bim-and-yankee-stadium-article-by-john.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/11/bim-and-yankee-stadium-article-by-john.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-887428047512673739Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:42:00 +00002009-10-30T12:20:33.711-04:00customer relationship managementCRMsmps virginiaThis past Tuesday, the SMPS Virginia chapter hosted an event entitled, "How to Effectively Utilize your CRM for Business Development." This program included Marilyn Liebrenz-Himes, a professor from George Washington University and Sharon Asgari, President of Act Technology Services. The session began with Marilyn's introduction to an industry-specific study conducted by the School of Business http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/d8uSpVZGP4k/smps-virginia-hosts-how-to-effectively.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/10/smps-virginia-hosts-how-to-effectively.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-3072828128736870920Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:07:00 +00002009-10-13T14:08:28.183-04:00datamarketing researchwolfram alphasearch engine I recently read about a new search engine released this summer named Wolfram Alpha. Very neat tool. At first I was a little skeptical. But after toying around with it a little I can see its benefit over an alternate (like Google, Bing, etc.) Wolfram Alpha gives you results immediatlely on the same page--without having to sift through a number of separate webpages and links to find it.Access to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/KNHdUmDHLlE/wolfram-alpha-neat-tool.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/10/wolfram-alpha-neat-tool.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-6080091307984922152Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:01:00 +00002009-09-10T16:25:43.123-04:00meet the pressrichmond media contactsAEC industrypublic relationssmps virginiaSMPS Virginia is hosting a "Meet the Press" event in Williamsburg, VA from 10:30-1pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.We've assembled a Q+A panel of Virginia media experts (representing Richmond Times, Commonwealth Contractor, Virginia Engineer, Touch Points PR, Managing Communications Consulting) who will be speaking about how to get press and manage your public relations! Great topic for managershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/mLIo3NSeQvA/smps-virginia-meet-press-event.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/09/smps-virginia-meet-press-event.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-889761703768547064Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:05:00 +00002009-09-09T13:18:47.682-04:00sp 100second quarter spendingYes, there are companies out there spending money. You just have to do a little digging. Once you've found what you're looking for, it's simply a matter of matching priorities, using public information and contacting the right players.For instance, let's say you know a tech company big in R+D is starting to open the funnel a little. Well, perhaps they're looking at developing or relocating to a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/DIHJmksOZg4/follow-money-which-companies-spent-most.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/09/follow-money-which-companies-spent-most.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-4277984064215536883Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:45:00 +00002009-09-08T14:08:39.201-04:00forget twitterlifeloggingI read about lifelogging in Business Week. It's an interesting concept. Basically it's any method of recording ongoing and real-time data about your life. Then, storing and retrieving this data for analysis or recall.Can't remember what happened at a meeting last month? Need help remembering something from a phone call last week? Can't remember where you put your keys this morning? Yup, all that http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/ncC2f1jVMkk/forget-twitterlifelogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/09/forget-twitterlifelogging.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-473901278083248604Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:21:00 +00002009-09-04T10:33:25.374-04:00tips on creativityron worthEmerson said, “Imitation is suicide.” If you are satisfied to compete and/or imitate, you must be satisfied to be just average. You will achieve and ear the same returns and the same rewards are everyone else. You will never be any better than average. So, here is a wonderful rule to follow: “Create, don’t compete.” If you create, the sky is the limit.How do you maximize your own creativity?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/Gq1bsiM75Ok/tips-on-creativity-from-ron-worth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/09/tips-on-creativity-from-ron-worth.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-562664275217898409Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:10:00 +00002009-09-02T13:05:21.105-04:00enhancing the proposal processRFP submittal tipsRFP process tips Organize your system. Take a timeout. Seriously, don't move any further until you have fixed your proposal database or marketnig information system. Each minute you spend sifting through an unorganized system is a waste of your time, the time of others and your companies money. Plus, it only gets worse each time you create more data--so you quickly have an out of control snowball effect...only http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/ficVrFzLbPk/3-easy-things-you-can-do-to-make-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/09/3-easy-things-you-can-do-to-make-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-5305251226215635483Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:04:00 +00002009-08-28T16:16:48.930-04:00constructive criticismron worthIn his daily "Pegs to hang ideas on...", Ron Worth produced a list of suggestions for constructive criticism. In a world full of secondary communication (ie, email, text, etc.) taking some time to rethink how we interact face-t0-face is a very important subject...and one that can prevent miscommunication or even worse, a burning bridge. “Criticize in private. Criticize in private. Criticize in…http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/NASgUD6PCf4/ron-worths-suggestions-on-constructive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/08/ron-worths-suggestions-on-constructive.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-6817683644842266940Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:17:00 +00002009-08-25T12:19:11.715-04:00product marketing in the aec worldAh, Crocs--the ultimate in tipping point marketing. I remember when I first saw them. Nope, it wasn't a TV commercial or an ad in the paper. It was on someone's feet. Yup you probably did too. And then the conversation probably went like this:Person A: "Why do you have holey styrofoam on your feet"Person B: "These are Crocs...and they're awesome"Person A: "What?"Person B: "Yup, they're cheap and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/fg-4ve5xkhA/what-crocs-can-teach-us-about-marketing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-crocs-can-teach-us-about-marketing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-223545912534233468Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:33:00 +00002009-08-13T11:45:51.141-04:00commercialsthink outside the boxinfomercials“Think outside the box.” Sure. Everyone would like to—but at the end of the day, are you REALLY doing it?Outside the box thinking is one of the tactics the SMPS VA board will try to implement this year. After our planning retreat yesterday, I was reminded of a technique taught in college. If you’ve never done it before, try this. Grab a notebook and a pen. As you’re watching TV notice the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/GN3CZziQaYs/outside-box-think.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/08/outside-box-think.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-5627469529022711439Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:20:00 +00002009-07-09T12:33:41.945-04:00get more clientsron worthbusiness developmentRon Worth, the SMPS National CEO, puts out a daily email on topics relevant to the industry. I really enjoy them. Not only are they informational (like 10 ways to run an effective meeting) but they're also inspirational--he often tosses in great quotes to match. It's an excellent way to start the day and I have to give props to Ron for his tireless effort at cranking those things out. Here is onehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/Xj74WLUQk5Q/10-quick-ideas-to-get-more-clients-ron.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)2http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/07/10-quick-ideas-to-get-more-clients-ron.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-3296120009016445663Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:19:00 +00002009-07-07T13:24:09.499-04:00managing clientsworksheetI recieved this in my email this morning (from PSMJ) and figured it was interesting enough to pass along:Complete the worksheet below to see how many firms you can really service effectively.(a) Total number of hours available annually 2,080(b) Holidays, vacation, sick leave (a nominal value) - 180(c) “Technical” hours charged to projects as PM or as technical input -_____(d) Hours spent on http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/F2NAQZvSJis/how-many-clients-can-you-handle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-many-clients-can-you-handle.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-1092941953721030818Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 +00002009-06-24T14:29:10.982-04:00innovation teamrethink aecmba in the aecWhen you think about what is fundamentally wrong with many firms--you could nail it down to a short and common list: missed deadlines, blown budgets, poor and untimely customer-service, not being there when needed. Sure managing projects is a difficult and complex task, where many parties could be involved and one mistake, one miscommunication could balloon into a large, destructive and expensivehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/LCdwWVImY2Q/rethink-aec-industry-build-innovation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/06/rethink-aec-industry-build-innovation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-2240978488562512297Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:23:00 +00002009-06-22T12:33:20.468-04:00gaming in the workplaceAEC gamingxbox project natal If you haven’t heard / seen it already, you should definitely check out Xbox’s Project Natal. (video below)The concept is controller-less gaming. The system basically scans your body, objects (like a skate board) and surroundings and eerily puts them together into an interactive world (with facial and voice recognition) a la the Tom Cruise movie Minority Report (where he’s manipulating a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/A-apA4IpSEA/future-of-gaming-why-aec-industry-needs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/06/future-of-gaming-why-aec-industry-needs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-8573498355026999283Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:37:00 +00002009-06-11T12:59:55.860-04:00social mediaself-reflectioncommunicationYou’re not alone—and you never will be. It’s okay, take a long sigh of relief.If you’re a Gen Yer / Gen Xer…and perhaps others too, you know you REALLY don’t like to be alone. You have your Linked In network, your Twitter followers, your cell phone contacts, your mobile email…the list could obviously extend to many more aspects of your everyday life. Think about how many times you were driving http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/iVRkIz2ZMEg/does-using-my-iphone-count-as-self.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/06/does-using-my-iphone-count-as-self.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-1181460658696940099Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:02:00 +00002009-06-10T11:41:09.041-04:00high schoolsocial mediasimilaritiesIt’s easy to become entrapped in the whirlwind that is social media. Sometimes I feel like I’m in high school all over again—things are going on all around you, everyone is “doing it,” so you should be too, right? “Not on Twitter yet? What a lame-o.” “She’s not on Facebook—so she must not be cool.” People might say they’re not involved in social media because everyone else is…but they’d be http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/rsy1VzdDf-U/social-media-high-school-similarily.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/06/social-media-high-school-similarily.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-9072179813869668461Wed, 20 May 2009 19:11:00 +00002009-05-20T15:40:00.275-04:00twitter usesAEC industryI admit I have my doubts about Twitter's sustainability. No doubt Google or someone similar will develop something better and stronger. Chances are they're working on it right now.Nonetheless the concept of opt-in connectivity is a great idea in a high-speed technology and data driven world. For the AEC industry--it's always a bit "different," than say, product marketing. So here are some ideas http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/zFZVpak0LM0/5-things-you-can-do-with-twitter-in-aec.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/05/5-things-you-can-do-with-twitter-in-aec.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-7469072595899525062Thu, 14 May 2009 21:37:00 +00002009-05-14T17:48:07.098-04:00down economythomas wolfeyou can't go home againThis doesn't have much to do with the AEC industry or marketing per say, but rather is an interesting and well-written point of view I thought I'd share considering our present economic conditions:"America, in the fall of 1929, was like a cicada. It had come to an end and a beginning. On October 24th, in New York, in a marble-fronted building down on Wall Street, there was a sudden crash that washttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/o3Njmu_0fic/economic-metaphor-you-cant-go-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/05/economic-metaphor-you-cant-go-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-7966566732257228055Tue, 12 May 2009 16:02:00 +00002009-05-12T12:18:46.191-04:00mixed use developmentwest broad villageshort pumplifestyle centersvirginiaI have to admit—I strongly dislike the clutter of Short Pump, Virginia. A small-scale replication of Washington D.C. (or really any large metropolitan area in the U.S.) that boasts bumper-to-bumper traffic, over priced stores and in general ostentatious living.That’s just my opinion though. For me, I don’t care much for high-end clothing. I don’t really think organic food tastes any better than http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/wnm_icI_-AM/modern-development-mixed-use-lifestyle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/05/modern-development-mixed-use-lifestyle.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-236706448872991470Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:24:00 +00002009-04-29T14:33:09.511-04:00chapter leadershipPLSnon-profit managementsmps virginiaA couple weeks back, I was fortunate enough to attend the PLS (President’s Leadership Symposium) in Alexandria, VA and hosted by SMPS National. The conference is attended by the incoming President’s of each state's chapter in the country. Due to the economic woes of today, we were missing a few states where travel costs are too much to bear (ie Hawaii) but for the most part every chapter had a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/IkdAw_lHTbE/pls-conference-ideas-ideas-ideas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/04/pls-conference-ideas-ideas-ideas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-223764895442306522Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:33:00 +00002009-04-10T17:34:06.821-04:00cheapsteps for marketingsimpleeconomyAs you probably already guessed (and Jed Leffler can attest to...Jed you really need a Wikipedia page so I can reference you) I love cliches. There's one about bad things bringing more bad things and good things bringing more good. What's it called? Momentum. And it goes both ways.Now that we're finally moving past the 15 minute fiasco of last year--the media has started reporting good things. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/f3BdSAsGdGE/5-things-to-do-now-cheap-simple.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)0http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/04/5-things-to-do-now-cheap-simple.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5110392551793514120.post-4579677615999545299Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:08:00 +00002009-03-27T23:42:28.750-04:00strategicideasproactiveplanningI’m a huge fan of the saying, “Of all the things I’ve learned of life, only one remains true:  It goes on.”  To me that says a couple things.  One, business predictions are a tough to make (accurately).  Two, in the end, things move forward.  Things die off.  Barring some catastrophic event, life will go on…and most likely even in the case of a catastrophic event! In the AEC industry, for http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheAecMarketingProgressive/~3/rhXwi3-0FTo/proactive-business-ideas-consider-plan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jesson Zafar)3http://aecmarketingprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/03/proactive-business-ideas-consider-plan.html