Growthitect6 Aug 2025

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

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