Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
In last month’s column, I wrote about our new SMPS Foundation Txt2Give initiative and its success from your support. Part of the campaign allowed participants to cast their vote on the next research topic. Providing relevant industry- and professional-related research from the foundation is a great benefit to SMPS members—and it’s near and dear to my heart. Now, I get the opportunity to share the topic that got the most votes.
Drumroll, please…
The research topic SMPS members have chosen through Txt2Give is Topic #2: Exploring Client Decision-Making Behavior: Understanding the neuroscience behind decision-making and how it can be applied to marketing and business development.
We are thrilled to be moving forward with this subject matter. The next step includes sending out an RFP for third-party research entities next month. Look for updates regarding our progress from incoming SMPS Foundation President, Melissa Lutz, in the coming months.As I leave my president’s post and reflect on this past year, I am so proud of the progress the SMPS Foundation has made.Through dedicated foundation trustees and Society staff, we have accomplished so many goals. To name a few, we:
- Raised awareness of the SMPS Foundation’s purpose: a non-profit organization that focuses on research. To break it down, we identify potential research topics, commission a third-party research entity to conduct the research, provide FUNdraising to pay for the research, as well as establish reserves. And thanks to our supporters, we provide research and reports as the deliverable.
- Raised more than $40,000 during the 2016-2017 fiscal year to enable the foundation to move forward with a significant research project and balanced budget.
- Published two reports from our informed strategies series: “Measuring for Success: A Look at Hit Rates & Other KPIs in the A/E/C Industries” and “How A/E/C Clients Use Websites to Find and Vet Service Providers” as well as hosting a webinar for “Measuring for Success”.
- Expanded the SMPS Foundation board of trustees for the 2017-2018 fiscal year as Amy Collins, Marion Thatch, Holly Bolton, Dave Barista and Mel Gravely continue their service with the addition of Janet Brooks, Andrea Goodwin, Michael McCann, and Brad Thurman.
All this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of so many people. A huge “thank you” goes out to incoming SMPS Foundation President, Melissa Lutz, who has been my biggest supporter. She will continue to take the foundation to new heights. Michael Geary, Molly Dall’Erta, Antonio Payne, Linda Smolkin, and the entire SMPS headquarters staff, thank you for your endless support and encouragement.
And finally, SMPS members and chapters, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your SMPS Foundation president. I feel fortunate to serve and continue on the board with such dedicated, talented professionals.
—Carolyn
SMPS Foundation President Carolyn Ferguson, FSMPS, CPSM, is owner of WinMore Marketing Advisors. She can be reached at carolyn@win-more.com or 713.305.8163. Follow her on Twitter @carolynferg.
