With the level of competition that exists for land surveyors and geomatics professionals, being successful as a company owner or working independently requires a combination of technical and creative skills, as well as business skills. Naturally, most land surveyors are more comfortable with the technical and creative aspects and less comfortable with running a business. While you do need to have some capability to run the business, you do not need to be a business guru to be an effective and efficient land surveyor.
Part of the struggle from the business aspect involves knowing how to encourage clients to use your services when there are a million other options out there. In this post we’ll take a look at the subject of competition for land surveyors, and discuss some things that you can do to thrive in this competitive industry.
1. Embrace the Competition
Although this is an industry that is filled with “competitors,” the nature of the community of land surveyors is completely different than that of most other industries. Surveyors generally are very approachable and other service providers aren’t usually viewed as competition. Take the time to get to know others who are offering similar services, whether they are owners of a company, employees of a firm, or members of an in-house crew.
There are a number of significant benefits to embracing the competition and making friends in the industry. First, there is a lot to be learned from other surveyors. Most surveyors do not attempt to protect the secrets to their work, but they do recognize when others are putting their secrets into practice. There is plenty of information freely available through books, magazines, and online tutorials that will allow you to learn from those who could easily be viewed as your competitors.
Second, a lot of referrals are passed on to clients for other land surveyors to pick up. When a crew is too busy to take a particular project or when it is not a good fit with the type of work that they do, it is not uncommon to refer the client to a friend or contact that may be able to help. Of course, if you are not connected to others in the industry you will not be getting these types of referrals.
Third, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. If you are working independently as a one man crew you will not have the resources at your disposal that you would have if you worked at a larger agency. You won’t have co-workers who excel in certain areas that you can turn to for a quick question or some advice. In these cases, if you are friendly with others in the industry you may be able to get some assistance when needed. And of course, you’ll also be able to help others when the situation arises.
2. Know What You Do Best
Because there are so many options out there for your potential clients, it’s important for you to be able to show them (whether it be through your your website or LSU profile, through email, or over the phone) why you would be a great choice. Knowing what you do best and exactly what you have to offer will make this a lot easier. Ideally, your potential clients will be looking for something that is a good fit for your talents and experience.
Take a look at the situation from the client’s perspective. Why should they hire you? What can you do for them that others cannot? Once you’ve seen these things from the client’s perspective it will be much easier to communicate with them in a way that will put your best foot forward.
3. Emphasize Continual Improvement
You won’t be able to change the fact that there are lots of other land surveyors out there offering their services to clients. What you can control is your own skill levels and knowledge. Land Surveying is an industry that requires continual improvement in order to stay on top of new technologies and to avoid simply following the trends. Rather than getting down about all of the other surveyors out there, focus on your own abilities and what you can do to improve them. If you are constantly improving yourself you are moving in the right direction.
Making yourself better at what you do will obviously help you to attract more clients and to overcome the challenge of dealing with competition. However, it will take a serious effort that includes leaving part of your schedule open to learn and study. Additionally, you could take certain work or pursue your own projects that will allow you to get more experience in particular areas.
These are just a few of the ways that Land Surveyors United can help you become a better surveyor and a more well rounded professional through networking. What do you think LSU?
Thoughts