The 5 Stages to Becoming a Seller-Doer as a Civil Engineer – Ep 027

In episode 027 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I interview Jim Rogers, author of Win More Work: How to Write Winning AEC Proposals. We define what a seller-doer is and also talk about the five stages on how to become a seller-doer as a civil engineer.







 

Here are the key points from this episode:

We define Seller-Doers as professionals who are highly capable of delivering client work and are now ready to take on a more active role in growing a business.



The 5 Stages of Seller-Doer Activities (R-LOCK):



Stage 1: RECOGNITION - Build authority and recognition (authority + familiarity)



Write articles for publication/blogs

Write white papers

Speak at conferences



Stage 2: LEADS - Identify and nurture leads



Create a personal marketing plan

Build network at events

Stay in touch with leads and prospects

Think about how to bring value to people

Use a lead management system (e.g. Deltek Vision, Excel)

Make cold calls, set appointments



Stage 3: OPPORTUNITIES - Develop Opportunities



Uncover opportunities with existing clients and teaming partners

Discover new opportunities with new clients and teaming partners

Ask questions about the people that are going to be involved and not just technical solutions (e.g. "What would keep you from hiring us?")

Test your strengths and liabilities

Make  go/no-go decisions

Deepen business relationships with people

Position yourself for the win in advance of the RFP



Stage 4: CLOSE - Close the Sale



Close on opportunities with no formal competetion (i.e., no RFP)

Contribute to and write winning proposals: Essential components -

1) Tell a good story 2) Emphasis is on the client and not about yourself

Prepare for and deliver winning interview presentations

Debrief proposals after the award (won or lost)



Stage 5: KEEP - Serve and Keep Clients



Ask for feedback

Ask for testimonials and referrals

Be responsive

Provide a superior client experience (i.e., deliver more than great deliverables)

Become a trusted advisor rather than an order taker



More details in this episode…

About Jim Rogers

Jim is a nationally recognized proposal guru and author who helps professional services clients win more work. He is a consultant, speaker, author, and sales presentation coach. Architects and engineers hire him to help build their authority and to help them prepare proposals and presentations that seal the deal. He equally enjoys working with multi-national Goliaths and the Davids who, with his help, routinely outwit them.



Today, he is a master distiller of ideas, that is, he helps his clients distill their ideas to the time and space allotted by their prospective clients. He is founder of Unbridled Revenue, Inc., which helps A/E/C firms win more work and also a co-founder of The Seller-Doer Academy for Civil Engineers.

Sources/References:

Seller-Doer Academy for Civil Engineers

Unbridled Revenue

TCEP 014: Write Winning A/E/C Proposals with Jim Rogers



This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of civil engineering FE or PE exam preparations. Use promo code CIVIL for 20% discount at PPI2Pass.com/coach.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Engineer Your Own Success: 7 Key Elements to Creating an Extraordinary Engineering Career





Win More Work: How to Write Winning AEC Proposals





Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below on how you have developed your skills as a seller-doer.