Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)

Free Money for Members – Who said there no such thing as a free lunch?

2012-01-26T01:01:39Z

January 2012

SMPS Sacramento Chapter is offering two ways to get FREE money – Membership Renewal and PRC Wave Aid stipend programs. A benefit of membership includes programs that give back to you and your firm.

Membership Renewal and Reinstatement Stipend Program

We continue to offer members one $150 membership renewal or reinstatement stipend per month. It is quick, simple and very popular with bosses. Eligibility details and applications can be found on Sacramento Chapter’s website (www.sac-smps.org). Applications are due by the last Monday of every month. If you’re not selected, you are encouraged to reapply. Please contact Kathryn Graham at kgraham@markthomas.com if you have questions.

Pacific Regional Conference – Wave Aid Stipend Program

This year’s PRC is being held in February in warm and beautiful San Diego. The conference is lined up to be as loaded with relevant and current marketing and business development program as past Conferences. Fast action is needed on this one but worth a possible $200 off full registration – applications due by Wednesday, January 18th. For more information contact Kathryn Graham at kgraham@markthomas.com.

Go FREE Money!

Building Momentum Through Technology

2011-12-20T12:12:21Z

December 2011

A while back, a “techie” friend told me about Moore’s Law. The Law states that the number of transistors on a computer chip doubles every 24 months. Although not an actual physical law, apparently it’s proven pretty accurate – and it shows why computers, other electronic devices, and technology as a whole keep getting more powerful at an increasing rate.

Personally speaking, I’ve come to realize that I’m no longer the front runner in the area of technology. Just ten years ago, I had this technology thing whipped. I was at the top of my game learning computers, software, surfing the net, playing with gadgets, you name it.

I now realize there is a new generation that is considered native to this technology. You’ve all seen the clip of a 2-year old with an iPad for the first time. Within two minutes, she’s figured out how to move the screen, open and close apps, locate a game and begin to play. We have 10-year olds building websites, 13-year olds creating animation, and much more. It’s remarkable.

Yet, it is not enough to be an amazed spectator with respect to the advances in technology. As these advances continue to accelerate, our ability to adapt to them and use them must keep up. It is important for us to stay on top of these and figure out how to use them to their full advantage in the marketplace. Social networking, apps, and other smart technologies are increasingly being used in our industry.

How will advances in technology shape marketing in our industry over the next ten years? I don’t know, but I do know that we ignore them at our own peril – other professionals will learn how to use them, and those professionals and their respective companies will rise to the top – while the others get left behind.

My SMPS Story

2011-11-15T01:11:07Z

November 2011

Here I was, filling out my nominations and elections application for President. I thought Wow! How did I get here…?

Hi, my name is Carrie and I’ve been a member of SMPS for seven years (“Hi Carrie…”) I’ll be celebrating my ten-year anniversary with ENGEO this coming January. (“Wow! That’s a long time!”) And I’ll tell you that in both cases, I am stunned by how fast time has flown by. In fact, I feel like I’m just getting started. Let me tell you why.

As I pursued my career at ENGEO in marketing and business development, I quickly realized that marketing in a professional services business is much different from the product marketing strategies I studied in college. I also embraced the ENGEO culture of serving and committing to the success of others. I looked for a way to meet like-minded people where I could learn best practices and transform my academic knowledge into career knowledge. For these reasons I chose SMPS – the only game in town that is focused on these among other core values:

1. Professional growth by learning more about our role and our industry;
2. Personal growth in being apart of something bigger than myself; and
3. The ability to create a positive impact at ENGEO, in the industry and our community

For the first three years I simply attended meetings to listen and learn. Eventually, I sought greater involvement, and I began to serve committees by helping launch a senior marketer book club, coordinating a lunch program, and chairing the sponsorship committee. It wasn’t until I put time and effort into SMPS that I began to become familiar with the faces I was seeing on a regular basis and started to truly feel that I was part of a growing community of peers.

It’s funny, but for the longest time, I felt that my volunteer efforts were marginal at best. To be sure, the time I was investing in the organization was limited. However, now I realize that these seemingly small efforts were significant in helping to grow and nurture SMPS. It is remarkable, but true: the sum of efforts from many (as extensive or subtle as those respective efforts may be) is critical to making SMPS valuable and successful. It is through this sense of camaraderie and teamwork that you can leverage your efforts and contributions for all of us to enjoy.

Yes, it took me three whole years to get my feet wet, but that is what led me to this point where I reflect on the time, the commitment, and the outcome. I thank my peers at SMPS for helping me grow along the way and teaching me that a little consistency, reliability, accountability, and an open mind can take you far indeed.

SMPS provides the opportunity for you to share your talents, grow your expertise and give back to the industry. It is extremely rewarding to be part of an organization that truly functions as the heart of our industry.

What is your SMPS story? Please share! I’d love to post these in upcoming issues of our newsletter.

Tap Your Resources

2011-11-03T04:11:32Z

October 2011

By: Carrie Andreotti, CPSM

Are you aware of all the resources SMPS has to offer? If not, it’s time to become familiar.

Get Social: Join SMPS Sacramento’s LinkedIn group. Join mySMPS.org – this online network allows you to connect with your peers, access information, and leverage opportunities to make building business easier. Also, watch for SMPS Sacramento coming soon to Facebook. These are more ways to share and receive relevant information for our members, our events, and our industry.

Committee Involvement: As the saying goes, “You get out of it what you put in.” Through active involvement you will increase peer-to-peer networking, which is arguably the most valuable way to enhance your firm’s visibility and your professional reputation. Join a committee and build your network, learn about and leverage these resources, and grow your skills.

Presentations Available on Our Website: Did you miss a luncheon that was of interest to you? Did you wish you took better notes? Don’t worry. All lunch presentations are made available on our website as a member benefit.

Lending library: Some of the best selling books for our industry, recommended by our local leaders, are free for members to borrow. We also have some great webinars you can check out and share with your team back at the office. Learn about the latest trends and best practices as well as useful tips from leading experts across a range of business functions.

Career Center: Looking for a job or an excellent candidate? This is your center. Post your opportunities here and reach the cream of the crop and those in the know. And, it goes without saying that if you’re looking for a position, this is a great resource.

Coming Soon: We have big plans for this year and I look forward to sharing them with you. If you have ideas that you’d like to share with us to elevate our presence and offer resources to our members, please let me know at candreotti@engeo.com.

Tapping your resources is one more way to build momentum in your career and your firm’s future.

Building Momentum

2011-11-03T04:11:02Z

September 2011

By: Carrie Andreotti, CPSM

It’s a privilege and honor to begin my term as President of the SMPS Sacramento chapter.

Let’s get right to it! Board members and Committee Chairs just wrapped up our annual strategic planning session and, let me tell you… we have an outstanding team of volunteers leading the charge. There was lots of energy and creativity flowing and I’m excited to see what they will accomplish this year.

Just some of our goals include expanding the visibility of SMPS within the marketing community and the greater business environment through higher profile events, an expanded sharing and proliferation of marketing best practices, expanded use of social media, and other key, successful solutions to build momentum in our careers, our firms and our industry.

As chapter president, I’m dedicated to the success of our members and our industry. I look forward to working with our 2011-12 team to develop leaders, grow membership and organize programs that will educate, excite and deliver.

But there is always room for more team members. If you would like to join a committee this year, it’s not too late! Getting involved is one of the best ways to build momentum in your career and your firm’s future. Give me a call and get plugged in!

Connect to Listen

2011-06-17T05:06:52Z

June 2011
By: Kathryn Graham, CPSM

What did she just say? I thought she said… In our busy lives, we take in and process millions of words and conversations daily. Conversations and discussions all demand our full attention, but are we listening completely? Were we thinking about something else, going through the “to do” list of what else needs to be done, sending an e-mail, or maybe even anticipating what we think the speaker is going to say and framing our response—and then, heaven forbid, we interrupt the speaker before they are done with their thought? Hearing, instead of listening, only provides us with a portion of the information being presented. We can get distracted so easily and not even realize we’ve checked out of the conversation. I know I’m very guilty of losing focus and sometimes subconsciously tuning the speaker out—both at work and at home.

Can you hear me now?

Ever play the game “Telephone”—where a message is passed down a string of people and by the time the last person receives it, it is a totally different message from what it started out as? The game is to listen well and pass it on correctly. How hard is that?

The same is true in how we take information from a conference, a client meeting or a kick off meeting—take information. While some are listening, others are simply hearing. Hearing and listening are not interchangeable verbs. Hearing is the physical act of catching and perceiving sound, while listening is to pay attention to the sound and processing it with thoughtful attention. While we think we are listening, we are only hearing.

Be an active listener…

According to MindTools (www.mindtools.com), there are five key elements of active listening which will help us hear the other person, and also tells the other person that we are hearing what they say.

1. Pay Attention: Give the speaker your undivided attention and acknowledge the message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also “speaks” loudly.
   -Look at the speaker directly
   -Put aside distracting thoughts—don’t mentally prepare a rebuttal
   -Avoid being distracted by environmental factors
   -“Listen” to the speaker’s body language
   -Refrain from side conversations when listening in a group setting

2. Show that you are listening: Use your own body language and gestures to convey your attention.
   -Nod occasionally
   -Smile and use other facial expressions
   -Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting
   -Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like yes and uh huh

3. Provide Feedback: Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is being said by asking questions.
   -Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing; “What I’m hearing is…” and “Sounds like you are saying...” are great ways to reflect back
   -Ask questions to clarify certain points; “What do you mean when you say…” or “Is this what you mean?”
   -Summarize the speaker’s comments periodically

As business development and marketing professionals, active listening is one of the most important tools we have to do our jobs effectively. Engaging and focusing on what a client is saying or what your boss is asking to be done provides clients better service and adds efficiencies in getting the job accomplished. (You won’t have to be asked twice!)

Information is golden and understanding what to do with that information is instrumental in being successful. By practicing patience and active listening, we will be effective in focusing our listening and pay attention to the message the speaker is giving us. The rewards from our shift in behavior could payoff in the very near future.

“The opposite of talking isn’t listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.” – Fran Lebowitz

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” – Ernest Hemingway

Connect to Make a Difference

2010-12-01T05:12:35Z

December 2010

Many of us in the A/E/C industry use our Websites and marketing materials to talk about balancing the natural and build environment and our responsibility to the communities where we work, live and play. These words can be publicized cheaply and can be empty and meaningless unless the culture of the firm gives them credence. It took me just a few moments to look around at our SMPS chapter members and realize these publicized pledges to the Sacramento community are, indeed, words our firms and individuals live by.

Last year, the SAME|PEMA|SMPS Holiday Mixer raised money to support the Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershq.org/hospitals/Main), raising almost $5,000 for pediatric specialty care. This year our Holiday Mixer will donate proceeds from the evening’s raffle to benefit St. John’s Shelter (stjohnsshelter.org). Since 1985, St. John’s Shelter has been dedicated to supporting homeless women and children in the Sacramento area, providing a safe and supportive environment to help these families move from crisis to a point of self-sufficiency. Just think, a $1 raffle ticket makes a difference – and could provide what is needed to help someone turn the corner to a better life.

They say we are in the “season of giving.” But giving and making a difference is not a seasonal event. So why stop after the commercials are over, and the marketing blitz has stopped? Throughout the year, our Community Outreach Committee has planned a number of fundraising events. Some of the upcoming events include the following:

May - Organizing a team for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Run/Walk
June - Volunteering for the Volunteer Center of Sacramento’s Birthday MAGIC program, providing a personalized birthday party to children who are living with their families in homeless shelters

Giving comes in many forms – and is recognized in different ways. It is not always monetary. Making a difference includes random acts of kindness. For instance, while at the market the other day, I witnessed a young man, not more than 20 years old, offer an elderly woman help with her bag of groceries. She was taken back a bit, cautiously accepting his offer. When they reached her car, she looked at him gratefully and offered him a dollar for his kindness. He refused, saying it wasn’t necessary and continued on his way. A random act of kindness, such as giving a helping hand, does make a difference.

Make the giving season last all year, make a difference by helping others who are in need. We all need a hand once in a while.

I would like to wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

“The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.” - Hubert H. Humphrey

Connect to Goals

2010-12-01T02:12:48Z

November 2010

Ready, set, GO! We head out of the gate, running 100-miles an hour chasing a mechanical rabbit, running around in a circle. We are not alone in the race for the rabbit either – it is a multi-dog race, all wanting capture same goal. Getting through life with this kind of a “dog-race” plan, gives us an illusion that we’re getting somewhere, feeling like we are almost there… and before we know it, the rabbit, the goal has eluded us and we are exhausted. While the goal was very clear and well defined, but we failed to develop a strategic, tactical plan to obtain the goal – and catch that rabbit.

There are many people in my network of friends, colleagues and co-workers that are in perpetual motion, active in personal and professional activities. You know who you are, fulltime professional services marketer and business development leader, along with being a spouse, parent, and friend. But they don’t stop there. They also find time to be active in their communities, earn a degree, plan exciting social events, coach their child’s soccer team, and even train for marathons – effortlessly catching many rabbits. Do they have superhero powers? Do they have the ability to get by on four hours of sleep? Or do they have a magic time machine? We know better than that.

I have found that the key to obtaining goals is first determine what you want to accomplish – what’s your rabbit and then defining a realistic and strategic pathway to that goals. Also what is important is to have many goals on the “list”– but only focus on one or two at a time. Some goals might take a heroic amount of effort and time while others can take just a little. We need to be realistic about the level of effort and resources needed to reach the goal. If we don’t we can get in way over our heads.

In our careers, we work with our supervisors and managers to develop a career-path that is based on mutually agreed on goals. Ask to have a coach or a mentor to help you achieve your goals. Having someone with experience will provide you invaluable guidance and, very likely keep you motivated to continue up what seems to be a long, uphill climb. A mentor helps flatten out that hill – providing encouragement, a sense of reality and batting away distractions so you can keep your focus. If your firm does not have a mentor/protégé program, find someone in the industry who you respect and had are will to help you attain your goals.

If the goal you’re heading towards is a mammoth undertaking, set up a series of small goals that will get you to that end. Working full-time and getting your degree is very ambitious undertaking. Yes, it might take you a couple of years to earn the degree, but if you look at it a couple of classes at a time, you will chip away at it, and before you know it you’ll be in your last two classes and ordering your cap and gown for graduation. It just took a lot of dedication, planning, sacrifice, and focus – but achieving that goal, that degree will give you a sense of accomplishment that is euphoric.

The path to your goal should also include regular check-ins and milestone. These important check-in points along the way give you a point so you can look up and make adjustments if necessary. Suppose you’re hiking up to the top of Mt. Talca in the Tahoe basin, and while you were watching your steps, you didn’t look up and found yourself on the wrong path. It would be very discouraging. Do you quit or head back down and take the right path? That can only be answered by the character of the individual.

When you reach one of your goals, remember to take a moment to celebrate the achievement, and reflect on what you learned along the way. Look around as well to realize the support you had and thank them for their efforts. We rarely are a team of one in these efforts.

Also, remember to replenishing or update your goal list once in awhile. Having something to strive for and accomplish provides a sense of meaning to life – and it feels amazing to know you can achieve what you set out to do. Also remember to celebrate your accomplishments.

Speaking of goal setting, the Sacramento Chapter’s committee volunteers and their chairs are just wrapping up their goal setting and planning for next year. The Board and most of the committee chairs met early to set the strategy for the year. Once we get the committee goals approved, the next step is identifying the resources needed to reach these goals.

Now, “Ready, Set, GO!” is more “Ready, PLAN, Go!” and get out of the exhausting dog race going after an unobtainable rabbit.

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” -Albert Einstein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” -C.S. Lewis

-Kathryn Graham

River City Food Drive

2010-12-01T02:12:35Z

SMPS is hosting a Holiday Food Drive from Monday, December 6th through Tuesday and Wednesday, December 14th and 15th, to benefit the River City Food Bank. The food bank lost its facility to a devastating fire recently and need the support more than ever this year. Please help support this cause by donating any of the following items:

Wish List

Food and small items

Canned FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Mac & cheese
Ramen & canned soups
Canned tuna
Soap, shampoo, deodorants, tooth paste, razors, lotions in all sizes
Baby foods, diapers all sizes, and milk based formula

Bigger wishes!

New computer for intake
New or gently used waiting room chairs, computer desk, and desk chair
Bags, paper or plastic
New fax machine
Enclosed food delivery truck

We will be delivering boxes to the participating offices on Friday, December 3rd. If your firm would like to participate, please contact Mary Arzave at (916) 329-4000 or marzave@nlarch.com.

Should anyone have any of the “Bigger wishes,” please contact the River City Food Bank directly to organize drop-off details. www.rivercityfoodbank.org

We greatly appreciate your participation!

Posted December 1, 2010

Connect – the Value of Membership

2010-10-01T05:10:07Z

October 2010

The definition of value, according to Merriam-Webster, is a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged. When you’ve distilled the word “value” down to its lowest common denominator, it is getting the most out for the least in. Whether we are buying a car, a house, a new pair of shoes (ok, maybe not shoes) or paying membership dues, we examine the value. What benefit will we get for the price paid? Value is the cost-to-benefit ratio we all learned about in school. Does it make sense to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a product, service, or membership that provides little in return? I’d like to focus on membership – getting the most value out of being a member, and what our organization offers.

Many of us have become a member of something that, in hindsight, had an upside-down cost-to-benefit ratio. I have. It was a gym membership that went unused a month after joining. Still I kept on paying and paying. While my intensions were good, I just didn’t make it to the gym. Not a good value for the high cost. On the other hand, I did join an organization that provided tremendous value and is still benefiting me today. The price I paid was selling a few [hundred] cookies. I joined the Girl Scouts in elementary school to meet new friends after moving to a new area in the middle of the school year. I made life-long friends and learned priceless life skills that I still appreciate today. Talk about value!

I regard my membership with SMPS as having the same great, life-long value and benefit (without the cookies of course.) I originally joined SMPS to network, learn how to do my job better, and have fun. However, as I dig deeper into this organization though my volunteer position, I am uncovering a plethora of benefits and exceptional values available to all members – specifically the SMPS Foundation and the Marketer.

The SMPS Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established by the Society to promote research and education, advance the body of knowledge in the field of professional services marketing, and develop a greater understanding of the role and value of marketing in the industries we serve. The Foundation actively promotes recognition of professional service marketers (that’s us) as an essential element in the modern A/E/C business model. Please read more at http://www.smps.org under the Foundation tab. I encourage you to read recently added white papers on market trends, leadership and other topics impacting our industry.

The bimonthly journal, Marketer, continues to provide value to me through well-written articles on a variety of topics relevant to marketers, project managers, principals, and owners. I sometimes receive my Marketer a few weeks late because it has been absconded by someone else in my firm. (Yes, sharing was a life-skill learned in Girl Scouts.) Even principals, project managers, engineers, architects, and the like find value in the services provided by SMPS. Sharing articles, research, information and other SMPS benefits is a great way for you to provide value as a professional within your firm.

I could go on and on about the value of SMPS, but I know every one of you has your own reason for being a member of SMPS, and your connection to value is a personal one. I want you to know that SMPS and the Sacramento Chapter value you as a member. We strive to provide exceptional programs and extraordinary opportunities for you to grow as a professional and to provide value for your dues. If you have any ideas on how SMPS can provide more value to you as a member, I would love to hear them. I can be contacted at kng@deainc.com.

“The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.” - Albert Einstein

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” - Warren Buffett

Hello Sacramento Chapter!

2010-09-01T05:09:29Z

September 2010

Hello Sacramento Chapter!

I am Kathryn Graham, CPSM, Regional Marketing Coordinator at David Evans and Associates, Inc., but right now I’m speaking to you as the 2010-2011 Sacramento Chapter President which I am honored and pleased to be. I’m entering my leadership role with commitment, conviction, and a sense of reality – the reality that we are all doing more with less in these challenging economic times. This is not a news flash, but this “reality” is the basis of my vision for this year and focuses on why we are members of SMPS – we all need to connect:

Connect to people in the industry through networking opportunities
Connect to what we do and sharpening our tools through informative educational programs
Connect to the community that we live, work and play in

You may have made the connection to my vision for this year – Connecting.

At our recent strategic planning meeting, the board members and committee chairs worked together to set in motion a plan for the coming year. Value to our members is what drives each of our committee plans. Our committees are working hard to provide us with opportunities to connect:

Luncheon programs connecting us to industry leaders that present on emerging markets or trends
Workshops and webinars connecting us to tools so we can be more effective in our jobs
Special events where we can connect with others in the A|C|E industry and where we just might even have a little fun.

These are just a few of the initiatives you’ll be hearing more about in the months to come.

SMPS is a volunteer organization, and it takes quite a few of us to make it a success. I’d like to take a moment to recognize the Chapter’s immediate past president and superhero, Jodie Day. Superhero Jodie did an excellent job in initiating programs that provided value and inspired all of us to pitch-in a little to make a big difference. I’d also like to thank all the board members, committee chairs and volunteers for their heroic efforts in making the “Year of Giving Back” a great success.

So, speaking of pitching-in to make a difference, there are still opportunities available to get involved with this dynamic Chapter – as a committee member or committee chair. Currently the Community Outreach and Special Events chair positions are open. Discover all the benefits of connecting with your peers, the exposure your firm, and your own personal growth. If you’re interested, please send me an e-mail at kng@deainc.com or contact any of our board members. We’d love to hear from you.

I’d like to leave you with something I heard on the radio the other day – Instigators of Innovation. Wow! Now that is what I want to be; an instigator…an instigator of something positive and creative. I hope you’ll join me in this quest – an instigator of connection.

Many Thanks!

2010-08-02T04:08:20Z

Everyone always says “time flies” but it’s really hard for me to believe that it was a whole year ago that I took over as SMPS Sacramento Chapter president. It’s been a pleasure to serve as your president and work with so many incredible people. I’m excited to hand over the reins to Kathryn Graham from David Evans and Associates as your 2010 – 2011 Chapter president. Kathryn has some great ideas for the chapter and she and her Board will be leading our chapter to even greater accomplishments.
I personally want to thank everyone who served on the Board, as a committee chair or committee member for their time and commitment to the chapter. Without all of the hardworking volunteers we could have never accomplished so much.
And boy did we accomplish some great things this year. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Hosting first Regional Conference – Sacramento was the home of the inaugural Pacific Regional Conference in March. It was such a huge success that we’ll be hosting again April 2011. Thank you to all the committee members and volunteers who helped, especially Dawn Greco of Nolte for serving as the Co-Chair.
New and improved Web site – our new Web site launched in June and is more user friendly and can now host more member resources. Look for continued expansion of our Member Services section.
Membership Stipend Program – initiated a new program for members who need assistance in covering membership renewal costs.
Increased community outreach – this year our members participated in more community and charity events than ever before. Thank you for all of your donations and time.
Hosted annual SMPS/PEMA/SAME Holiday Mixer – record turnout for this annual joint mixer, not to mention the $5,000 that was raised for Shriners Hospital for Children.
New sponsors – we had many firms sponsor SMPS events for the first time. Thank you for your interest and support. Our sponsors allow us to continue to provide a wide variety of programs to our members and the AEC community.
New books and Webinars added to Lending Library – over 10 new books and Webinars were added this year. Be sure to check out what’s new.
Media Sponsor – working with the Sacramento Business Journal, we had our first media sponsorship that allowed us free advertising to promote our events.
Membership Recruitment Mailer – working with SMPS National, our Membership Committee designed and mailed out a recruitment mailing that brought in several new members and interest in our monthly lunch programs.

And there are many more wonderful things our chapter and members did that I could not begin to list them. These things would not be possible if not for all the volunteer hours many of you give to the Chapter. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
But we’re not done yet! There are lots of great programs and ideas for the coming year. I STRONGLY encourage everyone to get involved with a committee. By getting involved you will not only increase your and your firm’s profile in the organization, you’ll network and connect with some of the leading business development and marketing leaders in our region and help your business grow.

As a way to cap off the chapter year, I hope you’ll join me Tuesday, August 24 for the Annual Member Dinner. Our guest speaker, David Lecours will present “How to be a Creative Superhero.”
David is a high energy speaker who helps businesses thrive. Drawing from 15 years of owning a profitable design firm, David shares his expertise in marketing, branding, creativity and business practices. His “How to be a creative superhero” program is one that will inspire you, challenge you to look at your job in a new way, and charge you up to take on the challenges that come your way.
I promise that this is a program you won’t want to miss. Register Today!

Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your chapter president. It’s been a great experience and I look forward to continuing to work with all of you for years to come.

SMPS Annual Membership Dinner

2010-07-27T05:07:59Z

This year we’re having a dinner instead of lunch and we have a special location for this event.

BE A CREATIVE SUPERHERO -- As we leave the Information Age to enter the Conceptual Age, we need a new kind of hero. Dan Pink declares in A Whole New Mind that right brainers will rule the future. Creative ideas are the currency successful marketers use to elevate their firm, stretch their budget and build their brand. But unlike superheroes, creative ideas don’t just magically appear. Just as Bruce Wayne enters the batcave to become Batman, David Lecours will outline the process that will transcend you from mere mortal into Creative Superhero.

GUEST SPEAKER

David Lecours
David Lecours helps creative businesses thrive. Drawing from 15 years of owning a profitable design firm, David shares his expertise in marketing, branding, creativity and business practices. David Lecours has nearly 20 years of brand expertise. Armed with a BA in International Relations from USC, his first job was in International Marketing at Paramount Pictures. After working for Bright Strategic Design and Think New Ideas, David launched his own firm, LecoursDesign in 1995. David is the Owner and Creative Director at LecoursDesign, a marketing and brand communications firm helping professional service firms to attract and retain great clients and talent. Check out his website at www.lecoursdesign.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSORS CREATIVE MARKETING GROUP and DEALEY RENTON & ASSOCIATES!

Tuesday, August 24, 5 – 8 p.m. at Courtyard D’Oro, Old Town Sacramento

Holiday Mixer Successful and Generous!

2010-03-05T08:03:14Z

Mary Arzave, Community Outreach Committee Chairman, and Kristen Groves, Special Events Chair had the opportunity to deliver a donation check to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Shriners was selected as the beneficiary from the SMPS, SAME, PEMA Holiday Mixer last December. The event was overwhelmingly successful with well over 200 guests in attendance. The SMPS Community Outreach and Special Events Committees were proud to write a check for $5200 to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Thankful for our generous donation, Alan Anderson, Shriners Director of Development graciously accepted the check.

Great job SMPS!! We have made our community proud and helped the Shriners Family continue to save lives. Thank you all for your participation and making the event a success!

What are your needs?

2009-03-13T08:03:54Z

As I get to the midpoint of my term we are faced with a new challenge: how to provide you with what you need in this changing economy and market. As things turn uncertain we need to remember the benefits of staying involved. It provides you with an avenue to stay connected to your peers, keeps you in touch with opportunities and issues, and helps advance your education.

What are your needs? Let me know...