When does your Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry award entry process begin? Ideally, it’s right after you sign the project contract. You’re aware of the many challenges you’ll face and the project’s strategic importance for your firm.
Submitting an A/E/C award entry is like pursuing a strategic project. You’re already at a disadvantage if you wait until the Request for Proposals (RFP) comes out. Successful firms typically have developed relationships with prospects before they post the RFP.
When it comes time to prepare awards, you’ll be in the driver’s seat if you’ve established a plan to get the critical components you’ll need. And if you don’t submit an award, you’ll still have good information and graphics for future proposals and other uses.
Firm Focuses on Award Entries
Scott Truehl, the former executive vice president of Friede & Associates, Reedsburg, Wisconsin, understands the value of awards. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, the firm has been Wisconsin’s most awarded general contractor over the last five years.
Since 2015, Friede has received 65 award-winning construction projects at the state and national level.
Truehl notes Friede is known for “doing weird well.” The firm “partners with clients to bring them unique projects with an element of personality.
Scott Truehl, formerly of Friede & Associates, helped the firm obtain 65 state and national industry awards. (Crimson Sun Studios Photo)
Friede’s project team leaders make notes regarding relevant information that could be included in the award entry.
“We use storytelling to tie in the human-interest aspect of a project and explain its challenges,” Truehl explains.
(Truehl recently launched Dairyland Development Advisors, a consulting business.)
Here’s a process you can follow to help you prepare compelling industry awards.
Step One: Identify Project Obstacles
What are the key challenges your client faces? They’re the hero of your story, and your firm is the guide. You provide expertise to help your clients achieve their goals. As the project unfolds, new challenges may arise.
You can transform these challenges into an engaging story to enhance your award entry or project summary. Encourage your technical team to keep notes about these obstacles.
Step Two: Take Before and After Photos
As the project begins, are your teams getting some good before photos of critical challenges? If so, are they saved appropriately? Before and after images show how your project made a difference. Their impact won’t be as effective if the “before” photos are of poor quality or their angle doesn’t match the image of the completed project.
A/E/C firms often hire professional photographers for completed projects. Give some thought to taking quality photos before and during construction so they can help tell your story.
Step Three: Track Challenges
When it’s time to prepare your award entries, will your technical team be ready to share the project’s challenges?
At Friede & Associates, the project managers and superintendents know they’ll be asked to share project highlights. Bullet points are fine.
In the past, I worked with Truehl to write portions of industry awards for the Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin.
I talked with Truehl, project managers, and a superintendent during the award preparation process. All were ready to explain the project’s expected and unexpected challenges. I used their insights to show how Friede resolved issues and delivered successful projects. I also talked with some of the clients and an architect to gain additional information.
Step Four: Offer Client Insights
Good award entries go beyond a technical explanation of how a firm designed or built a project. Your narrative can outline how your company partnered with a client to resolve their challenges and achieve their goals.
Perhaps your firm helped with loan or grant applications or made design changes on short notice to accommodate a client’s last-minute idea. A tight time frame or a natural disaster may have added to the project’s complexity. What’s the inside scoop that will engage the judges?
When possible, add measurable results and describe the project outcome for the client and their end user, if applicable.
Start Early with Award Preparation
Creating an engaging award entry will be easier with a good process. The technical approach is important, but don’t forget the human element. Tell a good story about your project, and you’ll show why your firm’s efforts are award-worthy.
Leverage Award Entries
Now that you’ve prepared the industry award, are you maximizing your efforts?
Here’s one option. Turn your award narrative into a client-focused case study. Your award entry may already include many essential elements – a client’s challenge, your solution, and results. You probably have quality photos and perhaps some engaging metrics.
You can review your client’s award letter of recommendation for comments. An interview also may be required, but the award entry gives you a good head start.
Another idea is to create a blog post revealing how your firm worked with the happy client to overcome challenges. If the client agrees, make a video where they explain the project’s benefits and post it on your website.
Here are some other ideas:
- Update your project summary on your website and add a testimonial and photos, if possible.
- Create a project slide with highlights and photos for your next client interview.
- Feature your significant project at your trade show booth.
Have Questions?
Do you incorporate storytelling in your award entries? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Subscribe to A/E/C Connect to learn more. If you have a challenge or question you would like me to address, contact me at blaizecommunications@gmail.com.
