Old-Fashioned Ways
Ron Worth, FSMPS, CPSM, FAIC, CPC, CEO of SMPS
By now, you have probably received your 2004-05 SMPS National Membership Directory and Resource Guide. Personally, I was thrilled to receive mine; I have continued to carry my old one around with me for several years now.

By now, you have probably received your 2004-05 SMPS National Membership Directory and Resource Guide. Personally, I was thrilled to receive mine; I have continued to carry my old one around with me for several years now. Yes, I know I can go to the online membership directory to find members' contact information, but there is something solid about carrying the old directory.

I've used the SMPS Membership Directory for most of my career in this industry. At the firm I represented for 20+ years, my colleagues used to call me "Big Foot" because I could get into any A/E/C firm in the country, and no one believed it was all due to my SMPS membership. The directory was in my car as I'd drive along the eastern seaboard, or I'd carried it in my briefcase (back when we all used to carry briefcases) around the country. Sometimes these "old" ways are not necessarily obsolete or dated, but more like trusted old friends.

I believe we need to strike a balance between the tried-and-true processes within our industry while striving to keep abreast of the latest-and-greatest options available. New technologies, pressures to succeed, and the 7,000 electronic images we are exposed to daily combine to make us think the next best thing is just right around the corner, when really it can be in our back yard.

So, what other old-fashioned ideas does SMPS believe in? How about education and networking? Twenty years ago I joined SMPS for the education and networking. In the coming year, we are going to focus more on education at three levels.

First, education at the chapter level. When I was in the industry, the chapter was where the membership value was for me within SMPS. SMPS National wants to do a more effective job of supporting educational development within the chapters. I believe you are getting 110% from the leadership at your local chapter, and I want the National Office to conduct market scans, develop benchmarks, and provide resources for the chapter educational committees so that they have more variety and quality programming available to chose from and bring to you.

Second, we are developing national programming that can be brought to the members regionally. The Business Development Best Practices Workshops and the SF330 Fast Track and 2004 A/E Government Marketing Trends (held jointly with Zweig-White) are among the programs on the calendar in the coming months. In addition, we will be surveying each of you to see what topics you would like to participate in and by what delivery methods you prefer to receive national education.

Third, we aim to continuously improve the National Conference. The 2005 Conference Planning Committee is working now to identify, refine, and improve the content and delivery to make the event more beneficial and rewarding for each of you next August. Again, your help and suggestions are always appreciated during this process.

Old fashioned? No, just good business. We do the best we can to be receptive to your needs and expectations and to build value in your membership. Thanks for your support! [ return to top ]