As a successful engineer, you make it a practice to fulfill your clients’ needs. But how do you know when you are hitting the mark with exceptional service? Here are some tips for providing the kind of service that will get repeat business and referrals:
Understand your customer’s needs. It’s important to really get to know who you are working for. What is their history and mission statement? What is their company culture? Likes and dislikes? By studying up before client meetings, you are more likely to create a plan that correlates directly with the client’s wants and needs. It’s also not a bad idea to request assignments that will allow you to work directly on a customer’s job site.
Improve negotiation skills. As a working engineer, strong negotiation skills are essential. Difficult conversations involving fees can and will come up, and you must be prepared to negotiate the best solution. If you are able to negotiate good outcomes for the company, the more likely you are to build a foundation for mutually beneficial client relationships.
Learn about the upstream supply chain. It is your responsibility to think about the future. Always be thinking of new clients that could benefit from the services your organization offers. Don’t be afraid to pitch these new ideas to your boss if the time is right — you never know what new networking experiences could offer. Lastly, don’t forget to always stay up-to-date with trainings and technological innovations.