In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith speaks with Ron O'Connor, owner of O'Connor and Partners, about reputation management in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Ron defines reputation management as the process of managing a firm's reputation as an asset and emphasizes the need for a long-term and proactive plan to manage reputation. He also shares insights on crisis management best practices, including the role of spokespeople and the messaging strategy during a crisis, as well as the importance of legal counsel in developing a crisis communication plan.

For more information, visit www.informationworks.org

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Steve Houston, Founder and Owner of Compass Communications LLC, about building effective working relationships with the news media in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Houston shares insights on how to make a project newsworthy, when to approach the media, and communicating with clients about deadlines. He also emphasizes the importance of strategic PR planning and understanding the difference between news releases and pitches. The episode provides valuable tips for AEC marketing professionals and others seeking to gain meaningful traction with print and broadcast news media.

For more information, visit www.informationworks.org

In this episode, Charlie Hinderliter, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at St. Louis REALTORS, discusses the challenges of navigating building codes in St. Louis County and the Safer, Simpler St. Louis County coalition's goal to propose policy solutions for building code consolidation. The coalition aims to reduce inconsistencies in inspections by delivering resources to local governments to help with training and certification of their inspectors and ensure citizens have equal access to healthy and safe buildings.

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode, Kerry Smith and Doug Peters discusses the impact of the pandemic on companies' approach to innovation and growth, highlighting the importance of agility and resilience. He also emphasizes the role of culture, leadership, diversity and inclusion, data, partnerships, creativity, feedback, and technology in driving innovation and growth. 

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, Tony Thompson, Chairman and CEO of the Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME), talks with host Kerry Smith about building project diversity in the construction industry. Thompson shares his experience as a minority-owned business owner in the construction management arena, and how he has worked to attract and retain a diverse workforce. He also discusses the challenges faced by minority-owned firms in the industry, including the negative stigma of being labeled as "disadvantaged”.

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Tracy Hart, President of Tarlton Corporation. Kerry and Tracy talks about the lack of women in the construction industry and what Tarlton Coporation s doing to support women in their choice to play a role in the industry. Tracy also shares her own path into the industry and offers advice to women who are considering entering the construction industry or those who have recently entered. 

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith and Joel Fuoss, principal of Trivers Associates, discuss the importance of preserving historic buildings in St. Louis. Joel stresses the importance of willingness and money in embarking on these projects, as well as the need for creative thinking and working with what the building gives us.

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Amy Berg, president of S.M Wilson and Company, a St. Louis-based design build construction management and general contracting firm. Berg, who has 30 years of experience in the construction industry, discusses her experience as one of the first women to hold the title of the Office of President in St. Louis Construction History. She talks about women in construction then and now, and how the industry is changing to better support women and people of color.

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, Jennifer A. Beckage, Esq., CIPP/US, CIPP/E, founder and managing director of The Beckage Firm, discusses the unique vulnerabilities that construction companies and developers face from cyber attacks. She outlines two main categories of attacks: fraudulent wire transfers and ransomware, and provides a checklist for protecting against these threats. Beckage also stresses the importance of strong contracts with third-party vendors, multifactor authentication on email accounts, and having a plan for handling data security incidents. She recommends investing in cybersecurity insurance.

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.

In this episode of BUILD St. Louis, host Kerry Smith interviews Steve Bannes about the lack of interest in public projects from contractors and the potential reasons behind this. They discuss the traditional delivery system and alternative methods like design-build, as well as the federal government's use of QBs for project execution strategy.

For more information, check www.informationworks.org.