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Why Radical Transparency is Your Secret RFP Weapon (with Lisa Sauve of SYNECDOCHE)
#30: Lisa Sauve, CEO and Principal of SYNECDOCHE, joins us to reveal how her Detroit-based architecture studio won a major cultural project in a new market by pushing back against the original RFP.
PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio
Learn more about SYNECDOCHE: https://www.synecdoche.design/
Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode:
→ What no-portfolio strategy got SYNECDOCHE invited to pitch for a major cultural project in a brand-new market?
→ The unconventional RFP move that helped them stand out, and why it flips the standard approach on its head
→ Why Lisa believes your problem statement can win you work, even if your portfolio doesn’t
→ The surprising way architects can challenge vague RFPs without burning bridges
→ The truth about how relationships actually win you projects
→ How SYNECDOCHE priced a project with almost no details, and why the client still said yes
→ What happens when you admit, “We’ve never done this before”, and still win the job
→ The behind-the-scenes interview moment that tipped the scales and sealed the deal
→ Why focusing on smaller scopes and radical honesty built a client relationship that lasted far beyond the project
(05:04) Building trust to get invited
(10:05) Estimating fees with limited info
(12:08) Why architects should lead with problem-solving
(16:50) How one RFP reshaped the entire program
(21:04) Sizing up client-consultant fit
(23:10) Talking openly about money
(27:03) Planning projects in bite-sized pieces
(29:42) Helping clients prep for a capital campaign
(32:51) Making architecture more accessible
(35:29) Embracing honesty and realigning goals
(39:10) How authenticity fuels creativity
GROWTHITECT RESOURCES
→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio
→ Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join
STAY CONNECTED
→ Follow on LinkedIn
→ Follow on Instagram
→ Subscribe on YouTube
→ Follow on Twitter
View all episodes
By Tyler Suomala
5
44 ratings
#30: Lisa Sauve, CEO and Principal of SYNECDOCHE, joins us to reveal how her Detroit-based architecture studio won a major cultural project in a new market by pushing back against the original RFP.
PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio
Learn more about SYNECDOCHE: https://www.synecdoche.design/
Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode:
→ What no-portfolio strategy got SYNECDOCHE invited to pitch for a major cultural project in a brand-new market?
→ The unconventional RFP move that helped them stand out, and why it flips the standard approach on its head
→ Why Lisa believes your problem statement can win you work, even if your portfolio doesn’t
→ The surprising way architects can challenge vague RFPs without burning bridges
→ The truth about how relationships actually win you projects
→ How SYNECDOCHE priced a project with almost no details, and why the client still said yes
→ What happens when you admit, “We’ve never done this before”, and still win the job
→ The behind-the-scenes interview moment that tipped the scales and sealed the deal
→ Why focusing on smaller scopes and radical honesty built a client relationship that lasted far beyond the project
(05:04) Building trust to get invited
(10:05) Estimating fees with limited info
(12:08) Why architects should lead with problem-solving
(16:50) How one RFP reshaped the entire program
(21:04) Sizing up client-consultant fit
(23:10) Talking openly about money
(27:03) Planning projects in bite-sized pieces
(29:42) Helping clients prep for a capital campaign
(32:51) Making architecture more accessible
(35:29) Embracing honesty and realigning goals
(39:10) How authenticity fuels creativity
GROWTHITECT RESOURCES
→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio
→ Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join
STAY CONNECTED
→ Follow on LinkedIn
→ Follow on Instagram
→ Subscribe on YouTube
→ Follow on Twitter
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