About Michelle Devereaux, CPSM
Title: Regional Business Development Strategist
Firm: CallisonRTKL
SMPS Chapter: Dallas
Number of years in the A/E/C industries: six
How has SMPS helped you in your career? We all know about the great webinars and training sessions that SMPS offers, and they have been so beneficial as I transitioned into the A/E/C industries from an unrelated field. While the foundational knowledge SMPS programs provide have been invaluable to me, I value even more the relationships I’ve developed through the organization. I believe strongly in the power of mentorship and collaboration, and that is what I’ve found in the people of SMPS. Whether seeking advice on career decisions, sharing best practices for being the best at our jobs, or learning to be a great mentor/mentee, the willingness of my colleagues in SMPS to share what they know and help others grow has been incredible.
Share a helpful hint with your fellow SMPS members: Marketers tend to wear a lot of hats in their organization. One day, you may be bogged down with production of a proposal, while the next day you’re asked to contribute to shaping the firm’s strategic plan. With that in mind, learn about the business and how to speak that language. Understand as much as you can about the why behind the what, and you will be a stronger asset to your team. Helpful hint: Get your CPSM. It’s a game-changer.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you. When I was 17, I was on the Military Channel interviewing the pilots of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, as part of an internship at my small-town newspaper.
Tell us about a recent work day: I finished curriculum development of a three-session workshop aimed at teaching technical staff how to tune up their selling skills from networking, ensure client satisfaction on a project, and craft an effective presentation. A good portion of the content was based on what I learned studying for my CPSM. Thanks, SMPS!
As a CPSM, how has certification benefitted you? I am a more well-rounded marketer because of the process to obtain my CPSM designation. I better understand the business side of the A/E/C industries, have better tools to do my job effectively, earned more credibility with my team, and I’m better able to deliver (and prove) results.
