Challenging AEC's Myth That "Anyone Can Do Marketing"

The misconception that "anyone can do marketing" creates barriers that relegate AEC marketers to tactical roles rather than strategic business partners. In this "Spill the Ink" episode, Michelle Galindez, Director of Marketing and Communications at Syska Hennessy Group, discusses practical strategies for marketing leaders to find their voice, challenge assumptions and demonstrate value in terms that resonate with technical executives.

Michelle has spent nearly a decade reinforcing Syska Hennessy's global marketing function into a trusted strategic business driver. She covers actionable tips to help marketers build technical fluency and gain the confidence to reshape conversations with seasoned technical experts, such as prioritizing hands-on learning through site visits, attending technical training alongside firm engineers and systematic relationship-building with internal champions who understand marketing's strategic value. Michelle also shares examples of the advice in practice at Syska Hennessy.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn

• How to overcome the misconception that "anyone can do marketing" in AEC firms.

• Strategies for learning the technical aspects of an AEC firm without becoming an engineer.

• Practical approaches to finding your voice in rooms full of technical experts.

• How to challenge assumptions and ask strategic questions that drive results.

• Methods for demonstrating marketing ROI and tying efforts to firm goals.

• The importance of starting small and building a team of marketing champions.

• How to transition from order-taker to strategic partner.

About our featured guest

Michelle Galindez joined Syska Hennessy Group in 2017 to refine, realign and evolve the firm's marketing and communications strategy to establish a best-in-class, in-house marketing agency. This agency supports the firm's technical expertise and thought leaders while serving as a backbone for business development and client care.

Previously, she served as the national marketing and communications lead for a global management and consulting firm for engineering services, where she developed and enhanced the brand by creating and implementing successful marketing, staffing, branding, communications and public relations campaigns. In 2016, she was featured in Hispanic Executive for her role in rebranding. She has served as past president of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and is part of the group's mentorship program.

Based in New York, Michelle's areas of expertise include branding, staff development, strategic marketing, communications, public relations, graphics analytics and client care. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management with a concentration in marketing and psychology from City University of New York and attended Shillington College for Graphic Design. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

Throughout her career, Michelle has successfully navigated the challenge of establishing marketing credibility in technically dominated environments. She's known for her hands-on approach to learning technical aspects, from riding construction elevators in buildings without walls to taking technical training courses alongside engineers. Her collaborative approach has led to innovative successes, including the development of a top-performing app through strategic marketing and technical team partnerships.

A born-and-bred New Yorker, Michelle is a passionate Yankees fan. When she's not at a game, you can find her baking and decorating cakes for family and friends.

Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a marketing and public relations agency that serves B2B professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. 

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}