SK&A’s Director of Communications shares how reliability, visibility, and relationships shape professional reputations
SK&A Director of Communications Shambi Eubanks, CPSM, joined an SMPS Washington, DC panel on August 25 focused on “Strategic Thinking for Emerging AEC Marketers.” Designed for professionals who are new to AEC marketing and business development, the program offered practical advice for excelling in their current roles, strengthening their strategic thinking, and building meaningful career paths.
A central theme of Shambi’s remarks was the importance of responsiveness in building a professional reputation. “Responsiveness is memorable,” she said. “Be the person who replies, follows through, and makes life easier for others. You don’t need a senior title to begin building that reputation.”
She also discussed changing buyer behavior and what it means for AEC firms and emerging professionals. Relationships are built long before an RFP is released, and they increasingly begin before a prospective client ever contacts a firm. Buyers may review websites, LinkedIn profiles, team bios, project experience, and thought leadership articles as part of a private evaluation process. In some cases, firms may be eliminated before they even know they are being considered.
This shift underscores the importance of maintaining a strong digital presence and making a firm’s expertise visible. Emerging professionals can contribute by documenting what they are learning, sharing useful insights, producing high-quality work, and developing a reputation for being dependable and easy to work with.
Shambi was joined by fellow panelists Karen Cotton, CPSM, LEED AP; Jen McGovern, FSMPS, CPSM; and Michelle Crandall. Together, they shared real-world perspectives on buyer behavior, relationship-building, artificial intelligence, proposal strategy, career resilience, self-awareness, and professional growth. The conversation focused on ideas attendees could apply immediately to build confidence, contribute more strategically, and continue advancing their careers.
The discussion was hosted at SMPS headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Shambi expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to share her experience while also learning from the other panelists and the thoughtful questions contributed by the emerging AEC professionals in attendance.
