Our First Regional Workshop: Demystifying Business Development

Beginning this October, AVEC will offer in-person workshops in locations across the country. Our team is, and always has been, 100% virtual, so we love to create great reasons to get face-to-face. The first workshop hits on an all-too-familiar stumbling block—business development. AVEC asked partner, Valerie Puchades, FSMPS, to elaborate.

Q:  Why did you decide to launch this new workshop?

Valerie: There’s been a lot of research through SMPS and other organizations lately that points to business development skills being one of the most critical — and the skill most missing — from firm leadership teams. This program was created to help individuals build those skills.

Q: What have you found AEC firms struggle most with when it comes to BD?

Valerie: Building “the BD habit” is really the piece that’s missing, and I think people aren’t successful because they’re not feeling confident enough with what business development is, or how to do it, to even start the small steps that lead to bigger steps. 

Q:  Who should attend the workshops?

Valerie: individuals that are BD curious, people that need to gain more confidence with how to do it, individuals who have, or will have, business development responsibilities and need help getting organized and started.

Q: What can I expect to leave with?

Valerie: A better understanding of what it is, some tools and tips to make it easier, and a lot more confidence in your approach.