Providing guidance to AEC firms for over 20 years
As 2023 begins, we are thrilled to announce that MARKETLINK has reached an important milestone—20 years in business! We thank everyone who has been a part of this journey and throughout 2023 we look forward to celebrating this achievement.
What began as two former coworkers deciding to join forces has grown to be a leading marketing consultancy specializing in the AEC industry. Despite a few challenging years for our industry, MARKETLINK has continued to grow in its services and client base. We deliver sound consulting guidance which has grown into new and exciting locations and area of expertise. MARKETLINK has served over 200 AEC companies in 16 states nationwide.
We thank and acknowledge our past and present consultants, clients, associates, and allies. Your commitment, support, and feedback has encouraged us to move forward, think differently, and constantly push ourselves to remain aligned to your needs. We’ve been privileged to work with topnotch clients and industry experts. Thanks to you, we enjoy what we do.
To commemorate 20 years in business, we will be celebrating in various ways throughout 2023 based on the key theme of “20/20 Vision: Sharpening Your Focus.” We encourage you to keep an eye on our email newsletter, website, and social media channels for further news and updates on anniversary celebrations.
We’ve learned some lessons and made many observations about the AEC industry over the past two decades. As we reflect on the past, it seems appropriate and timely to confirm and share those great lessons.
- It’s all about relationships. We have observed that our most successful clients are those with healthy internal and external relationships. Their leadership teams have strong relationships and connections with one another. That same leadership team cultivates strong and authentic relationships with clients, consultants, and industry experts. Are you proud to have each person sitting across the table from you during an executive or project meeting, and do you feel that relationship is authentic?
- Less is more. Make your tasks, meetings, and projects simpler—which will make things feel easier and more enjoyable. Processes and tasks naturally increase in complexity as they grow, so it’s important to continually look for ways to simplify. Select a handful of critical points that will have the biggest impact on success and relentlessly focus on doing them better. Remember: less is more!
- Problem solving provides opportunities. It’s amazing how many issues are glossed over while problem solving. People would rather ignore an obstacle and hope it goes away. The irony is that by going to the root of the problem and solving it, you save unbelievable amounts of time and discomfort for you, as well as your firm, clients, and projects. Someone must be the force to call it out. That someone is you!
- Firms that provide value to their clients have fewer issues. The ones who obsess stay ahead. Your firm exists for your clients. The moment you stop providing value, your problems will multiply. Every process, person, system, and service in your company needs to be aligned to solve a client problem or fill a need.
- Most AEC leaders are terrible time and project managers. We have found that most people have trouble executing a plan for their projects, management, and mentoring. Investing in teaching staff to manage projects and their time will bear fruit.
- The fear of doing something is always greater than the actual doing of it. Are you procrastinating that strategic plan or website launch? Avoidance is the natural response to fear but it’s not the one that works. Go for it! Step out of your comfort zone. It will propel you forward.
Our hope is these lessons will serve as constants as we start the new year, and that they’ll give you insight, peace of mind, a wake-up call, and a few “a-ha moments.”
Thank you again for your continued support.
