3 Reasons Why Stories Matter in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can do a lot, but it still can't tell your Architecture/Engineering/Construction firm's authentic stories. As AI-generated content became more common in 2025, human stories now stand out more—not less. Sharing these stories helps you...
Show the Value You Deliver—Through Your Client’s Eyes
Use testimonials, client stories, and case studies to build trust in an AI-driven world. Are your clients playing a starring role in your project stories—or fading into the background? In the A/E/C industry, technical expertise is expected. What differentiates...
Stand Out in A/E/C Interviews With Client Stories
At your next critical client interview, how will you stand out? Expertise gets you in the door. But stories make you memorable and build trust. As Forbes (Jan. 16, 2025) reports, “storytelling fosters collaboration, sparks creativity, and cultivates empathy.” Research...
A Tale of Two Painters: Why Ongoing Communication Wins Repeat Work
A great project earns trust. Ongoing communication earns the next one. Are You Still in Business? When my husband and I bought our Montana home in 2021, we needed a lot of the interior painted before moving in. John, the first painter we hired, came recommended and...
Use A/E/C Milestones to Build Your Brand
Although it was 13 years ago, I still remember how a multidisciplinary firm where I worked celebrated its 50-year milestone. In honor of its incorporation in 1962, the Wisconsin-based company developed a special logo, distributed anniversary shirts, and celebrated its...
Lessons From My Roman Soldier Role: Bring Drama to Your A/E/C Stories
There's nothing like putting on an ancient Roman soldier outfit, especially if you're carrying a (fake) sword at your side, to command attention. I discovered that firsthand this year during my role as part of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at a church in Billings,...
What Newspaper Publishing Taught Me About Earning Trust—Lessons for A/E/C Firms
As newspaper owners and publishers, Dan Satran, Jr. and I didn’t take a vacation for 10 years. We were writing, editing, and selling ads and printing, all while raising two children in a large rural county in Wisconsin. Despite the challenges, we stayed in business...
3 Ways Storytelling Helps Your A/E/C Firm Stand Out
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can do a lot, but it still can’t tell your Architecture/Engineering/Construction firm’s authentic stories. These stories forge deeper connections with your clients, prospects, partners, and employees. They go beyond technical expertise to...
What Turkeys Can Teach A/E/C Firms About Visibility
We often hear familiar gobbles and clucks outside our Billings, Montana, home. I glance out the window and frequently say, "The turkeys are here." A quick look reveals as many as 15 turkeys hanging out in the neighborhood. We've become used to them. At this time of...
Remembering Mom’s Lessons on Mother’s Day
This is my second Mother's Day without my mom. Today, I'm reflecting on the many ways she shaped who I am, both personally and professionally. Kathleen Boland Schwanz died on December 17, 2023. Some days, it feels like she's been gone for nearly two years. Other days,...
Why Stories Stick—and Help Your A/E/C Firm Stand Out
My husband and I recently returned from a long-awaited anniversary cruise to Hawaii. One of the highlights was a whale-watching trip near Maui, where we learned that a single bay serves as both a nursery and a nightclub for humpback whales. Mothers teach their calves...
The Power of Passion: From the Dance Floor to A/E/C Storytelling
I’ve performed in women’s dance groups for more than 20 years — and one routine, involving a flowing veil, still sticks with me. I’d never danced with a veil before, but I was determined to master it. Why? Because I cared. Because I wanted to connect with the audience...
