Season 5 of The Shortlist kicks off with a fan-favorite: InDesign Rumble (Part 2). Wendy Simmons, Becky Ellison, and Lauren Jane Peterson continue their spirited conversation on how AEC marketers actually use Adobe InDesign, workarounds and all.

This episode explores how even seasoned designers evolve their skills in a tool most learned on the fly. The MO6 team dives into efficiency-boosters like automation, AI features, data merge, CC Libraries, and paragraph styles. They also call out "common pitfalls" found in inherited files, from hand-built tables to overbuilt parent pages, and discuss when a quick workaround becomes a project liability.

The takeaway? There’s rarely one "right" way to work. Whether you’re an InDesign expert or a self-proclaimed "level 6," this episode will spark new ideas to streamline your next pursuit. Listen in to unlock major gains in efficiency and clarity.

CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

Before you kick off your next website project, take a beat—because there’s a lot you can do ahead of time to make the process smoother, more strategic, and ultimately more successful. To wrap up Season 4 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Kyle Davis and Lauren Jane Peterson to break down the things you should tackle before your website project officially begins.

They walk through practical steps like confirming your Google Analytics setup, gathering project descriptions and photos, and doing a little web-stalking of sites you admire. Plus, they emphasize the importance of aligning your brand messaging and having up-to-date photography, bios, and team headshots on hand before you dive into the actual website build.

Whether you’re just dreaming about a new website or have your kick-off on the schedule, these tips will help you plan more effectively, streamline content collection, and get stakeholder buy-in. Trust us, your future self will thank you for the prep work.

CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2

In this episode of The Shortlist, we’re spotlighting the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and all the value it brings to AEC marketers. Host Wendy Simmons is joined by Senior Marketing Strategists Grace Takehara and Katy Byers for a fun and reflective conversation about how to get the most out of SMPS, regardless if you’re a long-time member or just SMPS-curious.

Grace and Katy swap stories about how they found SMPS, the connections they’ve made, and the professional growth that’s come along the way. From practical tips on easing into your first event, to favorite memories from SMPS conferences, they share their suggestions for getting involved.

SMPS offers countless ways to build your network, gain leadership experience, and grow your career—from roundtables and education sessions to national conferences and casual socials. This episode is full of ideas and inspiration to help you make the most of your membership and feel confident stepping into new opportunities.

Expanding into a new geographic market can be an exciting growth opportunity—but it’s not without risk. In this episode of The Shortlist, host Wendy Simmons is joined by principal Melissa Richey and associate principal (and first-time guest!) Julie Flattery to talk about what it really takes to open a new office or grow your firm’s presence in a new region.

Together, they explore common drivers of expansion—like client demand, economic diversification, or key staff relocations—and share real-world stories from their time working in-house at AEC firms. The conversation includes practical tips on conducting research, aligning internal teams, building awareness, and setting realistic timelines.

Whether you're helping lead the charge or supporting the strategy, this episode offers insights to guide your next move—and a reminder that marketing should be part of the conversation from day one.

CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2

With selection committees tasked with reviewing eight, nine, or even a dozen proposals at a time, it takes more than polished boilerplate for an AEC firm to stand out. Sometimes the winning move is a bold, experimental, and 100% client-focused approach that not only shows off your qualifications but also your team's enthusiasm and understanding of the project.

In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons sits down with Melissa Richey and Becky Ellison to explore what it really means to "push the boundaries" in AEC pursuits. Armed with more stories than we could fit into one episode, these proposal pros share standout examples of teams that went all-in with bespoke themes, creative leave-behinds, and connection-building interview tactics.

And because time, budget, and resources are always a factor, the conversation also dives into when to go fully "HAM" and how to weigh risk versus reward. For marketers and business developers who might be hesitant to try something different, the Middle of Six team offers practical tips and a reminder that a little boldness and ingenuity can go a long way.

CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

With over 1 billion users worldwide and 67 million company profiles listed, LinkedIn remains an important platform for marketing, recruiting, and brand building. In Episode 70 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Middle of Sixers Melissa Richey and Grace Takehara to discuss strategies for using LinkedIn on both individual and company levels—from keeping up with industry happenings, and sharing thought leadership, to selection committee research, and team recruiting. They also dive into lesser-used LinkedIn tools, like creating a QR code for quick connections, using the name pronunciation feature, featuring posts for visibility, and personalizing your URL. Whether you're newer to LinkedIn or looking to maximize social media ROI, this episode is full of practical tips to help you maximize your presence on the platform.

CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5

Storytelling isn’t just for novelists—it’s the secret weapon for AEC marketers too! On this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons teams up with the creative minds of Becky Ellison and Kyle Davis to talk about crafting stories that grab attention and build real connections. They explore what makes a strong story—clear exposition, conflict, and resolution—and how those fundamentals help proposals and social media content truly stand out.

Becky shares her philosophy on creative brainstorming, why it’s important to protect “no bad ideas” and how to edit content with a Marie Kondo mindset: only keep what sparks joy. Becky and Kyle also discuss when and how to integrate graphics and images to enrich your story and engage audiences more authentically. No matter if you’re refining a proposal or crafting a social post, this conversation offers practical tips to make your firm and its people stand out through better, more effective storytelling.

CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5