Get to the Table: Transform Your Business

Marketing

Marketing has come a long way in the AEC industry. While we’ve shown the value marketing professionals bring to our organizations, far too many A/E/C firms are still trying to figure out whether we deserve a true seat at the table. In this session, attendees will learn how to leverage your unique skill set and perspectives to make a difference in your firms in setting business strategy, cultivating a positive culture, and reshaping the way your leadership and technical staff look at client engagement. Learn from two professionals – one in engineering and the other in construction -- who did not start at the table but got there, changing the dynamics of their firms along the way. They’ll provide insights to how you can build the case within your own firms and earn a seat at the leadership table through small wins, personal branding, driving change, thinking bigger picture, and leveraging your advocates.

Attendees will learn

  • 1) Specific ways to build your own personal brand that help you get a seat at the leadership table.
  • 2) Key lessons learned from two leaders at two different companies who earned their spots at the table and are now in the highest ranking marketing positions at their respective .
  • 3) Steps to build your credibility with your firm's leadership team and technical staff.

About your speakers

Robin Broder, CPSM

Chief Marketing Officer | Henderson Engineers

Robin Broder, CPSM, is an experienced marketing executive who brings a unique perspective to her role at Henderson Engineers. Over the past 20 years, she’s been on the agency and the corporate side, worked at large and small firms, and specialized in both B2B and B2C marketing.

Currently a principal and the chief marketing officer for Henderson Engineers, Robin directs marketing and business development efforts for the 700-person engineering firm. Leading a group of 20 marketing and BD professionals, Robin is passionate about building a cohesive and highly-productive team who also has fun along the way. She is responsible for setting corporate-wide marketing and sales strategies, fostering employee engagement, procuring work, building strong client relationships, and creating brand awareness for the firm. What she enjoys most, however, is encouraging all employees, especially technical staff, to become the company’s brand ambassadors.

Robin joined Henderson in 2014 after spending six years as the VP of marketing for MMC Corp, a construction company with offices nationwide. Before crossing over to the A/E/C industry, she spent a decade at Fleishman-Hillard, the world's largest PR firm, where she led the world-wide account for Hallmark Cards.

She is also one of those rare breeds who actually enjoys presenting. Not only has she developed and taught several classes within the Henderson University curriculum, but she also speaks nationally on topics such as soft skills for technical staff and empowering employees to become brand ambassadors. She’s received high remarks for her customized presentations at SMPS National (Build Business and webinars), SMPS regional conferences (SRC, MVRC, and SERC), various DBIA chapters, and more.

She has served the SMPS Kansas City chapter in a variety of roles over the past 10 years, including past-president, treasurer, membership chair, and more.

Erica Jones

Vice President of Marketing | MMC Corp

Erica Jones serves as the vice president of marketing for MMC Corp, a construction services company with offices nationwide. She oversees the planning and execution of initiatives such as brand identity, training, communications, and design for five brands spanning more than 12 offices from coast to coast.

Erica serves as a member of the MMC Corp Officers’ Committee, the company’s executive team, where she counsels fellow leaders on everything from executive communication to acquisition strategies to sales goals. She has been with MMC Corp for eight years, previously serving as Brand Manager, where she helped lead the company through a major rebranding process.

Prior to joining MMC Corp, Erica honed her presentation, client engagement, and branding skills on the marketing agency side.

She loves coaching her teams across the country and regularly conducts trainings on customer service and presentation skills.

Erica has served on the SMPS Board for seven years and currently serves as Advisor of the Kansas City chapter. She has spoken at multiple SMPS events as well as regional conferences around the country.