Kick off the new year with a fresh approach to spec writing! In this episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dori Azar and Alex Baer are joined by Holly Jordan, an innovative specification writer and educator, to tackle “New Spec Resolutions.” Whether you’re looking to adopt modern practices, transition from Word-based specs, or explore the collaborative power of RIB SpecLink, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice to improve your specification writing. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Getting Started Made Simple: A step-by-step guide to transitioning your firm to a spec writing platform like SpecLink. 
• Smart Efficiency: Tips for using SpecLink’s smart linking and automation features to save time and minimize errors. 
• Better Collaboration: How SpecLink’s real-time updates and tagging features foster seamless teamwork and communication. 
• What’s New for 2025: Explore the latest features and updates that make spec writing faster, easier, and more effective. 
• Myth Busting & FAQs: Hear real-world examples as we address common excuses and questions about adopting SpecLink. 

Join hosts Alex Baer and Dori Azar alongside special guest Alex Fulton, RIB’s training specialist, as they celebrate the final episode of SpecTalk for 2024. This festive, year-end edition looks back at the highlights of SpecTalk, user contributions, and the top SpecLink Cloud features that defined the year.

What You’ll Learn:

• 2024 Year in Review: Dive into the major updates, innovations, and successes that defined SpecLink this year.
• Exclusive Feature Reveal: Be among the first to see the exciting updates in the December release, designed to streamline your specification workflow.
• Interactive Live Q&A: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with our team during this interactive session.

In this engaging episode of SpecTalk, hosts Alex Baer and Dori Azar are joined by special guest Eric Ledbetter, an NCARB-certified architect and accomplished specifier with over 30 years of experience. Recorded live and in-person, this episode dives deep into the art of tagging in RIB SpecLink—a powerful feature that revolutionizes specification writing and quality control.

What You’ll Learn:

• Custom Tags for Allowances: Organize and identify specific allowances in your projects to ensure clarity and alignment with budgetary constraints.
• Utilizing Report Tags: Streamline administrative requirements by tagging submittals, making it easier to track and manage documentation efficiently.
• Tagging Custom Content: Enhance flexibility and control by applying custom tags to unique project elements or specifications.
• Creating Custom Tags: Assign tags to specific Basis of Design products to distinguish them and simplify project updates and approvals.
• Tags and Reports for Maintenance or Special Contracts: Use tailored tags to ensure clear communication and seamless project execution.

In this special edition, hosts Dori Azar and Alex Baer are joined by Jason Hicks, Canadian Professional Content Manager at RIB Software, to explore specification writing tailored to Canadian standards. Whether you’re a seasoned specifier or just getting started, this episode delivers valuable insights, tools, and updates for the Canadian market.

What You’ll Learn:

• Maximizing SpecLink: Tips for leveraging SpecLink’s Canadian spec content and features tailored to your needs.
• Content Localization: Best practices for adapting templates and Office Masters for Canadian projects.
• Learn more about topics like inserting images, cross-checking specs, and the path to becoming a Certified Specification Writer (CSP) in Canada.

In this game-changing episode of SpecTalk, hosts Dory Azar and Alex Baer are joined by Beth Stroshen, founder of Applied Building Information, for a deep dive into how specification linking and automation can revolutionize your specification workflows. Beth shares valuable expert insights, explains the mentioned golf analogy in detail and demonstrates how RIB SpecLink helps specifiers achieve unparalleled accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.

What You’ll Learn:

• How intelligent links make spec writing faster and more accurate
• Shortcuts to navigate SpecLink’s linking features effectively
• Best practices for customizing spec links to fit your project needs
• Tips for leveraging SpecLink’s CSI-standard content and automated workflows

In this engaging episode of SpecTalk, hosts Alex Baer, Dory Azar, and Holly Jordan tackle the most common challenges in specification writing and share expert advice on how to avoid them. From grammar gaffes to outdated standards, they break down actionable strategies to streamline your specs and enhance professional documentation.

What You’ll Learn:

• Navigating non-compliance with standards: Learn how to keep specs aligned with the latest industry regulations, preventing costly project delays.
• Avoiding over-specification: Find out how to streamline details to avoid overwhelming project teams, focusing on clarity and cost-efficiency.
• Ensuring consistent formatting and terminology: See how uniformity in specs improves clarity and reduces the risk of misinterpretation.
• Using advanced features in SpecLink: Including automation tools, global formatting controls, and more, to help you save time, increase accuracy, and elevate your project quality.

Join hosts Dory Azar and Alex Baer, along with special guest Scott Mize, RIB Director of Architectural Content, in this festive and insightful Halloween-themed episode of SpecTalk. The trio dive into the development, structure, and future trends of specification content and spec writing within RIB SpecLink, all while rocking creative costumes!

What You’ll Learn

• Just like a trip to the doctor, no one wants to spend more time on specs than necessary. We’ll show you how to streamline the process and get it over with quickly, without sacrificing quality.
• Not all content is created equal. Learn how RIB’s spec content differs from others on the market and why it’s designed to be your secret weapon.
• Spec writing doesn’t need to be dense. We’ll share our internal style guidelines to help you keep your text clean, uncluttered, and easy to read. Plus, we’ll remind you where to find helpful master notes and links to streamline your process.
• With RIB’s easy-to-use choice fields, selecting the right products for your specifications is a breeze—or you can easily include your own!
• Our content is great, but the SpecLink database makes it sing. We’ll show you how it all connects to simplify your workflow.
• Learn how to efficiently share spec writing wisdom with others in your firm so the process is less terrifying for everyone.

In this episode of SpecTalk, Dory Azar and Alex Baer are joined by Amy Baker, architect and specification consultant, to explore the world of specifications for small projects. Whether you’re managing a $1 million interior renovation or a roofing update, this episode explores the nuances of choosing between sheet specs and full manuals and how RIB SpecLink makes the process seamless.

What You’ll Learn:

• Outline and short form specs: when to use them and best practices.
• The key information to include in specs for small vs. large projects.
• Where do sheet specs fit in: When to use and why, owner and design team preferences on when to use them as a preferred deliverable.
• How sheet specs allow for flexibility in limited-scope projects such as restoration, renovation and interiors.
• How sheet specs can help both efficiency and holding contractors and subcontractors accountable.
• Risk assessment when it comes to paring down the level of detail in specs and having a lean set of drawings.
• A demonstration of how SpecLink’s sheet spec export tool can save you days of work on formatting and importing.
• Interactive Q&A with one of the nation’s top spec writers and special guest, Amy Baker.

In this SpecTalk episode, our presenters discuss the essentials of sustainability in construction and spec writing with our special guests, sustainability expert Garrett Ferguson from JLL, and specifications expert Holly Jordan from Jordan Consultants. From rating systems like LEED to sustainable materials and creative reuse, discover how to integrate eco-conscious practices into your projects using RIB SpecLink.

What You’ll Learn:

• Sustainability in the construction industry (past, present, and future): From early green efforts to today’s advanced sustainability practices, see how the industry has evolved and how specs have adapted to changing expectations.
• Managing certification decisions: LEED, WELL, and beyond—how do you navigate certification choices to meet project goals and what are the benefits?
• Collaboration for sustainability: Explore how owners, designers, and specifiers can team up to achieve meaningful sustainability outcomes.
• Incorporating your own standards: Learn how to seamlessly integrate your company’s reference content and sustainability standards into your project specifications for a more personalized and consistent approach.

Our special guest, Gary Christensen, RIB Client Education Manager, will guide you through key updates designed to make your spec writing faster, easier, and more efficient. This special edition of SpecTalk unveils game-changing features and enhancements designed to streamline workflows and improve collaboration for specifiers and project teams.

What You’ll See:

• Document Map: Effortlessly navigate specification sections with a handy outline next to the Editor.
• Project Filters: Use the new “Filter By” menu to quickly find and filter through projects and office masters.
• Collaborative Workflows: Work collaboratively with permission-based user access and comments, even while another user is editing.
• Improved Word Document Import: Enjoy enhanced control over Word document imports, with smarter text conversion and no pre-import coding!

In this dynamic, open house episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Baer is joined by architect Dory Azar, specification consultant Holly Jordan, and product manager Nish Patel to answer audience questions about RIB SpecLink and the art of specification writing. Our experts will walk you through SpecLink’s specification software key features and functionalities, showing you how it streamlines your workflow and boosts productivity. This engaging session covers everything from practical tips to fun anecdotes about collaboration and spec-writing best practices.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to incorporate consultant specs and ensure seamless collaboration
• Tips for managing permissions, linking standards, and activating sections
• Best practices for importing Word documents and streamlining project workflows
• The importance of staying flexible and experimenting with SpecLink’s features

In this special episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Baer welcomes specification expert Holly Jordan, Architect Dory Azar, and Product Manager Nish Patel, to discuss how junior professionals can thrive in specification writing. Learn how RIB SpecLink makes the process approachable, interactive, and rewarding for the next generation of architects, engineers, and specification writers.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why younger professionals should consider a career as a specification writer
• Best practices to break down the complexities of specifications for newcomers to the field
• How tools like SpecLink make specification writing more efficient and aligned with modern design processes
• Harness the power of SpecLink’s advanced capabilities to streamline the specification process while facilitating learning
• Tap into your firm’s collective wisdom through optimized Office Masters and senior staff expertise
• Real-world strategies and advice from experienced users for creating high-quality specs efficiently

In this episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Baer is joined by BIM expert Judah Jackson, Architect Dory Azar, and Product Manager Nish Patel to explore the powerful integration of Revit and BIM with RIB SpecLink. It’s never been easier for specification writers to coordinate and collaborate with their team. BIM integration helps you work faster and smarter by helping design professionals.

What You’ll Learn:

• How SpecLink integrates with Revit to streamline specification writing
• Coordinate and communicate key design changes throughout the design phase
• Identify and adjust specifications based on changes made in your Revit model
• View embedded BIM object data and monitor the impact of changes
• Access the model from any web-enabled device—no Revit license required

In this insightful episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Baer teams up with architect Dory Azar and specification expert Holly Jordan to discuss the critical role of collaboration in specification writing. Learn how RIB SpecLink’s powerful tools improve communication, streamline workflows, and effectively resolve project conflicts.

What You’ll Learn:

• The importance of collaboration in reducing RFIs, change orders, and costly project mistakes
• How real-time commenting and notifications within SpecLink keep teams aligned
• Tips from Holly Jordan on managing permissions, avoiding mistakes, and enhancing team efficiency
• Updates on upcoming SpecLink features, including improved notification management and multi-user collaboration

Host Alex Baer is joined by Licensed Architect Dory Azar and expert specification writer Holly Jordan to explore the transformative power of Office Masters in RIB SpecLink. Learn how this feature helps firms streamline their specification processes, maintain design standards, reduce costly errors and enhance their overall specification management.

What You’ll Learn:

• What are Office Masters and how do they improve project efficiency?
• Holly Jordan’s best practices for maintaining and updating Office Masters
• Tips for customizing specifications without overcomplicating workflows
• How collaboration tools in SpecLink enhance real-time teamwork
• Key features like non-printing in-line notes, choice fields, and track changes

In this episode of SpecTalk, host Alex Baer chats with industry experts Holly Jordan and Dory Azar to explore the challenges and evolution of construction specification writing. From the gaps caused by a decline in dedicated spec writers to the intimidation factor for newer professionals, they dive into how RIB SpecLink Cloud empowers teams to simplify and streamline their specification writing process.

What You’ll Learn:

• Gain valuable knowledge from industry experts on how to streamline your specification process with SpecLink
• Holly Jordan’s inspiring journey into specification writing with SpecLink
• Get answers to attendees’ meaningful questions from professionals who use SpecLink daily

In this episode, Alex Baer, Senior Strategic Account Manager at RIB Software, explores the challenges of traditional specification writing and the critical need for digitization in the AEC industry. Learn how SpecLink Cloud transforms workflows for architects, engineers, and building owners with its intelligent database and innovative features. Get valuable insights and tips on how to overcome common specification challenges with the help of modern specification software.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why outdated tools like Word create inefficiencies and errors in specifications
• How SpecLink’s intelligent links prevent contradictory specs and save time
• The integration of SpecLink with Revit for seamless design-model alignment
• Collaborative tools to streamline teamwork and improve communication
• Pick up practical tips to streamline your workflow with SpecLink’s specification software