PSM: Professional Services Marketing

Re-Run: Executive presence might sound like a buzzword, but in this episode of the PSM Show, Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth get to the heart of what it really means. They break it down into practical, learnable elements: composure, communication, and appearance. Through honest conversation and real examples, they show how presence is not about being polished or loud—it's about showing up with con...

**Recorded live at the 2024 SMPS Pacific Regional Conference in Portland, Oregon** Ryn (Kathryn) Bennett, MPH, is a non-binary 40 under 40 award winner, world-record-holding strongman competitor, celebrated TEDx and Ignite speaker, and advocate for developing mental toughness. They are the author of Productive Pain, a personal memoir and inspirational guide. With a background in social and behavio...

Frank and Deirdre share their insights on making the most out of your professional conference experience. They discuss strategic networking, setting realistic expectations, and engaging effectively with speakers. You'll also learn about the importance of taking notes and adhering to proper conference etiquette, especially during the final keynote session. Whether you're new to conferences or a sea...

In an industry built on deadlines, pursuits, and constant pressure, resilience is often framed as grit and endurance. But what if that mindset is actually driving burnout? In this episode of The PSM Show, Deirdre Booth sits down with Nicole Van Valen, founder of Keen Insights and author of The Joyful Leader, to reframe how AEC firms think about resilience, leadership, and performance. Drawing from...

This episode is an Ask Me Anything with Rachel Charlton of Sticky Communications, and the questions go straight to the stuff AEC marketers deal with in real rooms.   We talk about what buy-in actually is, why it rarely shows up "as a stage" in the pursuit process, and how marketers build credibility with technical teams before the fire drill starts. From interview prep and slide strategy to role c...

When the world feels heavy, polished stories stop working. The ones that land are the honest ones — the ones that start with trouble.   In this episode of The PSM Show, hosts Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth sit down with writer and strategist Joel Hoekstra for a "pull up a chair" conversation about why the best AEC stories don't begin with brilliance or technical expertise — they begin with fricti...

What does strategy really look like inside a construction firm that wants to grow on purpose, not by accident? In this episode of the PSM Show, host Damion Morris talks with James Hatch, Chief Strategy Officer at Kovac Building Enclosures, one of the top glazing contractors in the country. James shares how his path through architecture, estimating, finance, and business development shaped the way...

In this unscripted conversation, Deirdre Booth and Damion Morris step away from the usual format and start the year with an honest check-in. They talk candidly about growth, ambition, balance, connection, leadership, and what changes when career wins stop being the only measure of success.   This episode sets the tone for the season ahead with real reflection, lived experience, and the kind of per...

In an industry built on deadlines, pursuits, and constant pressure, resilience is often framed as grit and endurance. But what if that mindset is actually driving burnout? In this episode of The PSM Show , Deirdre Booth sits down with Nicole Van Valen, founder of Keen Insights and author of The Joyful Leader , to reframe how AEC firms think about resilience, leadership, and performance. Drawing fr...

What does strategy really look like inside a construction firm that wants to grow on purpose, not by accident? In this episode of the PSM Show, host Damion Morris talks with James Hatch , Chief Strategy Officer at Kovac Building Enclosures , one of the top glazing contractors in the country. James shares how his path through architecture, estimating, finance, and business development shaped the wa...

Hosts Deirdre Booth and Damion Morris dig into why AEC marketing roles have stretched across design, writing, coordination, and strategy, and why that model is shifting. They unpack findings referenced from SMPS research, lessons from recent pursuits, and how private equity, data, AI, and client experience are changing expectations. Hear practical ways teams can organize around five core functions...

Whether you're a Swiftie or not, Taylor Swift's influence on global spending and the marketing strategies behind her success are impossible to ignore.  In this episode, Deirdre Booth and I explore how AEC firms can draw inspiration from Taylor Swift's innovative marketing tactics to create their own opportunities for growth.

AEC marketing and business development are changing fast. In this episode, Deirdre Booth talks with Scott Butcher of Stambaugh Ness about what is reshaping the work today and what leaders need next. They cover the talent crunch, the "missing middle," and why environmental scanning belongs in every plan. They discuss practical uses of AI, how early adopters are already productizing tools, and what...

Client experience is more than good service. In this episode of the PSM Show, Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth talk with Tim Amos, CPSM and Head of Growth at Client Savvy, about how AEC firms can design and manage client experiences that create measurable business results. Tim shares his journey from in-house marketing to leading CX strategy and explains why repeat business does not always equal lo...

In this episode of The PSM Show, co-host Damion Morris welcomes Allison Tivnon, strategic advisor, author, and City Councilor for Beaverton, Oregon. Allison has spent nearly two decades guiding AEC firms through the complexities of marketing, planning, and leadership. Damion and Allison explore why so many strategic plans lose momentum after the retreat and how to create alignment that lasts. They...

This week on the PSM Show, we're bringing back one of our most impactful episodes while Deirdre and Damion are out at Amplify AEC. Whether you lead interview prep or support it behind the scenes, this episode offers a powerful mindset shift: coaching is not about directing or fixing. It's about creating emotional safety and helping people shine under pressure. If you've ever coached a must-win tea...

Deirdre and Damion are both gearing up for SMPS Amplify , and with Damion serving as one of this year's conference chairs, we're giving them a little breathing room this week.   In the meantime, we're bringing back a listener favorite: "Finding Your Why & Trusting the Process: Rethinking Goals." Originally released in February, it's one of our top-performing episodes—and for good reason.

Your firm's site greets visitors long before a proposal or a handshake. In this episode of the PSM Show, co-hosts Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth sit down with content strategist and copywriter Ben Culbreath to unpack what your homepage is really saying—and why that message may be turning prospects or future hires away.   Ben shares field-tested ways to move a reader from "nice photos" to "let's t...

Executive presence might sound like a buzzword, but in this episode of the PSM Show, Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth get to the heart of what it really means. They break it down into practical, learnable elements: composure, communication, and appearance. Through honest conversation and real examples, they show how presence is not about being polished or loud—it's about showing up with consistency...

What does it take to lead with purpose, authenticity, and impact in the AEC industry? In this special episode of The PSM Show, co-host Damien Morris reflects on receiving the 2025 Leonardo Award from SMPS Los Angeles—a prestigious honor recognizing a career built on vision, creativity, and service. Joined by co-host Deirdre Booth, Damien shares the personal and professional milestones that shaped...

What does it take to move from marketing manager to CMO in the AEC industry? In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Haferbecker, founder of On Your Market Set Go, about the mindset shifts, strategic thinking, and evolving expectations that shape today's marketing leaders. Jennifer shares how marketing teams can support firm growth, influence business decisions, and build internal alignment—especia...

What if your biggest career breakthrough isn't about a title or a checklist, but about learning to observe and adapt? In this episode, we talk with Joanna Kozłowski, strategist, coach, and founder of Resolute Consulting, about how to take charge of your own growth—even when no one's handing you the playbook. Joanna shares what it means to become an anthropologist of your own career, how to decode...

Coaching a team for interviews is about more than polishing presentations. It is about protecting confidence, creating emotional safety, and helping people show up as the best version of themselves. In this episode, Deirdre Booth and Damien Morris dive into how to coach the coaches by training leaders to give feedback that grows people instead of tearing them down. They explore what it means to co...

Let's get real—shortlist interviews are high-pressure, high-stakes moments where everything you've built—your strategy, story, and team—comes down to one shot. In this episode, Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth unpack what it really takes to show up in the room and deliver. This isn't a conversation about perfect slide decks or canned responses. It's about the human side of the interview—the mindset...

In this episode of The PSM Show, Deirdre Booth goes one-on-one with longtime friend and bold brand-builder Nicole Posten, founder and principal of On Point Architecture. Based in Mesa, Arizona, Nicole launched her firm while on maternity leave—baby on one hip, CAD drawings on the screen, and zero interest in playing it safe. Nicole brings the same energy to her marketing as she does to her design...