Blog
Notes:
For every sport, some people do it professionally, and others are amateurs. One of the bigger differences is that professionals get paid, amateurs don’t. When it comes to solution engineering, there are also some professionals and others who work like amateurs, even though they both get paid. We discuss this specific topic with Bill Balnave.
We explore the key differences between professionals and amateurs within the industry. Bill shares insights from his extensive career in presales and customer success, while emphasizing the significance of having the right team and environment to stay motivated.
Key Takeaways:
- Professional vs. Amateur Solution Engineers
- Defining a Professional SE
- The Importance of Self-Education
- Maintaining Motivation and Passion
- Finding Your Value: Assigning a Dollar Value to Your Time
- Self-Motivation and Professional Growth
- Happiness and Expectations: A Philosophical Discussion
- The Role of Education in Career Development
- Motivating Employees for Self-Development
- Interviewing and Assessing Potential Employees
- Final Thoughts and Reflections
- Managing Difficult Salespeople
Quotes:
“ There are a lot of amateurs I find in our world. They might be doing the job for years, but there’s a big difference between being an amateur and being a professional.” – Ramzi Marjaba.
“ You need to be educating yourself. It’s your responsibility to educate yourself.” – Bill Balnave
“ Why not do a job that you actually really love doing so that when you’re doing it, you’re excited to be doing it. You’re not worried about keeping the hours, you’re not looking at the clock, going when am I done?” Bill Balnave
“ If you love technology, being an SE is one of the best jobs in the planet. And if you’re not taking time to appreciate it, like you’re missing out.” – Bill Balnave
”People with standards have a low tolerance for people that don’t have standards.” – Bill Balnave
“ 80% of SES suck.” – Ramzi Marjaba
