Author Archives: SDA Seattle

Architecture of the Pacific Northwest – as playing cards?

Yes . . . as playing cards! Say what? Notkin Mechanical Engineers came up with the Playing Card Artwork Project. They asked a number of architectural firms to provide “original pieces of artwork based on randomly assigned playing cards.” We’re delighted to see that three of our chapter member firms – MG2, CallisonRTKL, and ZGF Architects LLP – participated in the project. Well done, Notkin! Take a look at all the playing card designs here.

Free resources just a click away

Did you know that BizLibrary offers resources to help you grow your knowledge and skills?  You can also find blog posts on its website, such as this one, with this catchy title:  4 Ways to Self-Promote Without Looking Like a Jerk.

Have you known anyone like that, where maybe you’re rolling your eyes thinking, “He/she is so full of him/herself!”

It’s hard for some people to change. If you know of someone that still sounds like a jerk when they talk about all their accomplishments, go ahead and share this blog post with them. Maybe it will help.

 

A little humor in Salt Lake City

There’s never a dull moment when Seattle chapter members get together at the annual EDSymposiums. We love the ribbons that reflect our playfulness (or our level of seriousness)! Here’s a few from members brave enough to show off their ribbons.

 

Deltek’s Clarity A&E Industry Report

The 39th Annual Deltek Clarity A&E Industry Report is ready, and Deltek has webinars for you to learn more about the data it has collected.

Register to attend one or all of their webinars.

EDSymposium19 – save the date!

National SDA always announces the location of the next EDSymposium at it’s annual awards/installation banquet. Next year . . . it’s in Spokane! You can bet the Seattle chapter will be pitching in to make EDSymposium19 a success! So, save the date, and make plans to be there.

Oh yeah—the date? Well, plan on it being held again sometime in May 2019 (as it has been for past years). As soon as we know the date, we’ll be sure to put a link on our website for you.

More continuing education credits – only 5 months away!

SDA National is at it again! Here comes another EDConnect—a convenient way to get continuing education credits in all things A/E/C. It’s a three-day webinar conference that you and others in your firm won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more details/registration.

The Super Stars of SDA

SDA members were recognized with a Star Award, at the national annual banquet held May 19 in Salt Lake City. We nominated Past President/Director Carrie Thompson (of Studio Meng Strazzara) as our chapter’s (super) star.

 

 

Pictured left to right: Debra Ellis (Denver), Cindy Leydet (Hampton Roads), Sandy Beckel (Minneapolis), Peggy McGrath (New York), Carrie Thompson (Seattle), Annette Scott (member-at-large). Other 2018 Star Award winners, not pictured: Nancy DeLoatch (Atlanta), Amber Slajer (Dallas), Maurina McClean (Houston), Francine LaRose, (San Francisco), Anna Kordik (San Diego), Irene Flores (San Antonio).

Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Carole Sanderson, SDA’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award winner! Carole was recognized at the national banquet awards ceremony, held May 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A little bit of chuckle is a good thing

If you think your interview team should be all serious and professional-like in front of the Selection Panel—think again. Well, of course you won’t want to show up in a clown’s suit, and you probably don’t want to launch with a joke, “An architect and an engineer walk into a bar . . .” either.

According to Scott Johnston, “A little bit of chuckle is a good thing” during your firm’s interview. Especially if you can tie the chuckle into the purpose for you being there. So yeah, you should be professional and serious about presenting, but you should inject some personality while you’re there.

Scott presented “Five Mistakes Selection Panels Say A/E/C Firms Make (and How to Fix Them) at  our Seattle chapter’s business practice dinner this month. It was a good session—lots of great tips and examples, including Scott’s answer to the question, “We are the best firm; why do we keep losing?”

The number two mistake firms make? Speaking generally. Scott said that Selection Panels need to hear details.

More according to Scott (whose firm, Johnston Training Group, conducts in-person interviews with selection panel members from numerous public and private organizations, as well as helping A/E/C firms present powerfully):

  • Your tone should be humbly competent.
  • Pausing is really powerful, and projects confidence.
  • Share something personal that relates to the project.

Scott also talked about “creative brief.” Want to know more about that? Feel free to drop Scott a line.